The book of Acts
Witnessing in Samaria
Chapter 8: 9-25
Simon was a common name at that time, and many traditions and legends have arisen around the character mentioned here, dubbed "the Magician". In English and some other languages ?? the word "simony" is derived from that person, which means buying or selling of promotion to positions in churches.
This man, and many others prior to the time that Gnosticism intensified, practised magic or witchcraft that exploited the credulity and superstition of the people, earning for himself fame and a lot of money. People said that he was the "great power of God", a spark of the greatest divinity, impersonating God himself.
However, many of the people believed Philip when he came over preaching about the Kingdom of God and the name of Christ, and were baptized, also Simon who clung to Philip, amazed at what he could do. By what followed, we believe that Simon had not really been converted and just wanted to find out how Philip did miracles.
When the apostles, all still in Jerusalem, knew what was happening in Samaria, they sent Peter and John there. It is interesting to see that the group took the decision: these two notable apostles did not act on their own. Once there, they saw that the Holy Spirit had not come upon any of the Samaritans, unlike the converted Jews, on which He came soon after conversion and baptism (2:38).
Peter and John, therefore, prayed for those Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, and imposed on them their hands, a sign of solidarity used among the Jews. Upon this, the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit. The Bible does not explain why, although they believed and had been baptized, the Samaritans had not yet received the Holy Spirit like the Jews, but it could have been to manifest the communion of Jews and Samaritans in the church of Christ.
This was exceptional, as the Jews did not get along well with the Samaritans. God nevertheless sent the apostles to pray for the Samaritans and to put their hands over them before giving them the Holy Spirit, to show that this separation was not to continue in the church, having the same Spirit. There is no mention of the gift of tongues as proof of the gift received.
Many commentators believe that God chose to provide this dramatic scene of the concession of the Holy Spirit as a sign in that particular moment in history - the evangelization done in Samaria by the powerful and effective preaching of believers. Normally the Holy Spirit enters the life of people at the time of conversion, but this was the first time it happened among Gentiles.
Other theories are proposed:
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While believing in Philip's Gospel message and being baptized, like Simon, the Samaritans had not really converted until Peter and John arrived, and then they received the Holy Spirit. However, there is no basis for this theory in the account.
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Some even think that they had not been given the Holy Spirit because they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, instead of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19). However, baptism with any of these expressions indicate commitment to God. According to the narrative, Peter and John did not baptize them again.
We draw the lesson that people are not saved by going through the waters of baptism or any other ceremony, nor does it cause the Holy Spirit to enter the life of a person, much less make him a member of the church of Christ.
Simon obviously was not among those on whom the apostles had prayed and laid their hands, nor did he understand its meaning. Seeing it, he thought that the Holy Spirit was given as well by them (it was not, see the example of Cornelius in chapter 10:44).
Moved by his greed, he straightaway got what he thought was a bright idea: to acquire that power from the apostles and then enrich himself by doing miracles, as he did with his magic, and maintain his prestige, which was now at stake. As it is said nowadays, he thought "everything has a price." It is normal in a world of bribes, materialism, seeking riches. However, he was surprised by a stern rebuke from Peter.
Despite Simon’s confession of faith and baptism, Peter saw from the proposal he made that his heart was not right before God. He really had not been converted because:
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He was destined to eternal condemnation: "Your money perish with you" (no believer will be condemned - John 3:16).
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He was not in communion with the church: "You have neither part nor portion in this matter”.
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He had not received the Word of God, "his heart was not right in the sight of God" (Luke 8:15). He manifested lack of regeneration: he was "poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
The power of the Holy Spirit is not for sale. In God's kingdom, which comprises those who are sanctified by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ here on earth, all have the Holy Spirit. Simon did not have it, and needed to repent and pray to the Lord. Peter seemed not to be quite sure if Simon would reach God's forgiveness. God is kind, compassionate and of great mercy (Psalm 145: 8). The Lord Jesus declared, "… every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men." Matthew 12:31). Was Peter thinking that Simon might have committed this sin?
The Pharisees had committed such a sin by attributing to the devil the works done by the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28). That was an inexcusable sin and it would not be forgiven, either in this world or in the next. Similarly, those who ascribe to the devil the works of the Holy Spirit manifested in the lives of men probably are committing this unpardonable sin.
Peter left open the hope of pardon, if Simon repented and begged forgiveness from the Lord. Simon was frightened, but gave no sign of repentance, just asked the apostles to intervene on his behalf and begged the Lord that the punishment mentioned by Peter did not come upon him.
It was evident that Simon had never changed his life, continuing in his distance from God, despite his profession of faith and baptism.
It is the attitude of multitudes who do not want a personal commitment to God, and turn to the intermediation of false priests, and dead "saints", etc., thus trying to obtain forgiveness for their sins. However, the Lord Jesus clearly said, "… he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Salvation is not for sale, and God is righteous and punishes those who have not sought forgiveness of their sins through faith in Jesus Christ.
The two apostles returned to Jerusalem after testifying and proclaiming the word of the Lord, having on the way preached the gospel in many of the villages of the Samaritans. So they continued to carry out their mission as apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.
R David Jones
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,
10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."
11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
Act 8:24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts chapter 8 verses 9 to 25