Close, But Not Quite Acts 8:9-25
Can I just say that “Ignorance is not bliss.” That statement is true I would say in most cases, especially when it comes to eternal matters. You may have heard that Jesus saves but religion does not. This statement is true at its core. We have plenty of things we do in a religious way: we read the scriptures, we pray, we fast, we gather for communion we have meals together, we sing. These things we do, and are wonderful, but yes, in their activity, they don’t save. The Holy Spirit, revealing that the blood of Christ was poured out for sinners, saves. If you confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. I’m sure we all know that and the other things we do (the praying, reading, fasting, hearing, worshipping) are as a result of grace being shown to us.
In the early years after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, even before Saul, who would become the Apostle Paul, was converted, God had sent the Apostles out into Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. There were seven deacons, ministry leaders, who were chosen at this time. Stephen, one of them, had just lost his life at the hands of the Pharisees. Philip was another sent out; he preached in Samaria. A man in the area who been a sorcerer, a magician, heard Philips words: these words make sense to Simon; not only the words, but the actions. “The crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed.” (verses 6, 7)
Why would you believe the words? Look at what effect these words were having on the people. This is just the sort of ministry Simon was after and it was undeniable that God’s power and the people were behind what was happening. Simon, before this point, was greatly respected by the people, just like these new teachers in town. After all, they said of him, “"This man is the power of God that is called Great." And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.” (verse 10)
Cheap words and actions. Simon spoke well and did some amazing magic that amazed the people. They respected this power; they were amazed by it. Satan has this effect on us. But, what did the people need?
They needed healing – some were lame, others were demonically oppressed. Why didn’t Simon show his power in healing and deliverance? 1. Because Satan doesn’t cast out Satan just as Jesus taught, but also Simon had no power to heal the lame, the paralysed. Philip – this evangelist came into town, not just with powerful words, but powerful actions through the authority of Jesus.
People started flocking to Philip to hear him. Simon the magician did the same. Philip’s words make sense and he believed in Jesus. More than this, Simon got baptised (verse 13) with a lot of other men and women. He then followed Philip in his ministry. A believer’s Baptism – Simon was a good Baptist...Not quite, he wasn’t saved. The thief was not baptised, yet saved; Simon was baptised, yet not saved. What happened?
No one suspected that all may not be right in Simon’s heart, not even Philip, until the Apostle Peter came to Samaria from Jerusalem. Now, what was Peter’s name before Jesus changed it? It was Simon: Simon means “to hear” or “to listen.” We can do these things, but what makes us strong is when we obey. Peter now, meaning a stone or rock, has been refined and hardened from a fickleness that he once had – denying Christ. He perhaps saw the same spirit in this other Simon that needed refining through a fire. Often, the very things that we have struggled with in the past are clearly seen by us when they are expressed in others.
Believing, yet no Holy Spirit. The Jerusalem church wanted to make sure this was a work of the Spirit and not the flesh. So, “they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” There is lots here we could explore; but you can be a ministry leader, a church attender, a pastor and preacher and not have the Holy Spirit. In a number of cases when there is genuine revival, people in churches, including pastors, get saved.
Simon said something silly. (Verse 19) “"Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." He was about the image still, about how people perceived him. Folks, we have seen that in our day modern day Simons, who are just counterfeits: lying spirits saying this is God’s Spirit – everyone falls over. We’ll get to how you can tell the difference.
Simon needed to repent, which he did, but when he saw that Peter and John were used to impart the Holy Spirit on people, why didn’t he plead with them for the gift of the Holy Spirit? That would have changed his heart and mind. The reason is that he just wanted the power and not the conviction. It was only when someone in authority, the Apostle Peter, recognised his sin, maybe because he saw himself in this man Simon, that he pleaded for God’s mercy.
Peter told him straight. “You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.” (Verse 21) Your heart’s not right. You have nothing to do with us. Different spirit; As such, not saved.
Peter, in mercy, gave him the remedy; “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."
Simon responded “"Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me." This is encouraging.
We can be close, but not quite saved. Knowledge is important, but the Holy Spirit is vital. He is the One who seals us for heaven. Remember, all blasphemy is forgiven except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, because that’s to do with the soul. A sin against God in the soul is unforgivable: rejecting God’s Spirit for your life, in fact doing the opposite, calling what is good evil and what is evil good.
So, how do we know whether we truly have the Holy Spirit? In short – the fruit. ”A bad tree cannot bear good fruit and a good tree cannot bear bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:8) You know them by their fruit. What fruit?
Fruit of the Spirit Your character and your works, as well as your desires. Galatians 5:22, 23 is a good start, but also character – not just our personality. Some people are naturally sweet, loving caring, gracious people – not necessarily saved. Character of integrity (Philippians 4:8) Finally, your works are evidence of grace: you tell others about Jesus, you hate your sin, you plead to God for more of the Holy Spirit, you have a heart of compassion and humility, seeing your own sin first before anyone else – because the Holy Spirit shows you first – he gives you a conscience that aligns with his Word and Spirit.