From Sorcery to Salvation Lessons from the Conversion of Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8:4-24

Conversions in the Book of Acts The book of the Acts is the historical record of the Apostle’s commission (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47; Jn. 20:23) The book follows the outline found in Acts 1:8 … Jerusalem (Acts 1-7), Judaea and Samaria (Acts 8-12), the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 13-28)

Turn Bad to Good (8:4) Persecution is the immediate background to this account of conversion (Acts 8:1-3) These early Christians did not let persecution stop the progress of the gospel (Acts 11:19) What will you do with your troubles and problems (Rom. 5:3-4)?

The Gospel is For All (8:5) Philip preached to the Samaritans who did not mix with Jews (2 K. 17:24-41; Ezra 4:1- 5; Neh. 2:10-19; 4:1-3; Jn. 4:9) God is not prejudice, and neither should we be (Acts 10:34-35)

A Servant’s Heart (8:5) Philip was a servant (Acts 6:5) before he was a evangelist (Acts 21:8) Ministering / serving Christians are needed (Mt. 20:26; Rom. 16:1; Eph. 4:12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)

Preaching the Word (8:5,12) Philip preached the word (gospel) which saves (Rom. 1:16; Jas. 1:21) Preaching the word involves preaching Jesus as the Christ (1 Jn. 2:22; 5:1), preaching the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:9-10), and preaching the name of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:10)

Truth and Counterfeit (8:6-11) Simon was amazing Simon made great claims Simon had a large following Simon received moving testimonials Simon was a long-time, influential resident

Truth and Counterfeit (8:6-11) Sorcerers used potions, drugs, spells, curses, etc. (Gr. φαρμακεία, see Gal. 5:20) Sorcerers used magic, charms, amulets, etc. ( Gr. μαγείαις, see also Acts 13:6-8) Sorcerers tried to foretell the future, summon dead spirits, harm others, or benefit themselves

Truth and Counterfeit (8:6-11) Sorcery was a serious business; it was not the harmless, entertaining and fun magic that we know today Sorcery is condemned in the OT (Ex. 22:18; Deut. 18:9-12; Lev. 19:26, 31; Isa. 47:9, 12; Jer. 27:9-10; 1 Sam. 28:9-14) Sorcery is condemned in the NT (Gal. 5:20; Rev. 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15)

Truth and Counterfeit (8:6-11) The people were amazed (deceived) by Simon’s trickery, magic, and sorcery (Acts 7:36); but then, they saw Philip’s genuine miracles which confirmed his preaching (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:4) Honest people can tell the difference between truth and a counterfeit

Belief and Baptism (8:12-13) Simon believe and was baptized Belief goes hand-in-hand with baptism in the gospel plan of salvation (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 18:8) Baptism was not delayed or eliminated all together: “when (an adverb of time, at the time) they believed … they were baptized”

The Need for Growth (8:18-19) Simon was saved, but he had some wrong thinking that he needed to get rid of Christians need to put to death the old man (Eph. 5; Col. 3); they need to grow (2 Pet. 1)

You Can’t Buy Everything (8:20) Simon learned that the gift of God (receiving the H.S. through the Apostle’s hands) could not be bought with money. “Simony” is the act of buying a church office with money. Money can’t buy everything (1 Pet. 1:18) Some things we do not have authority to do

Possibility of Apostasy (8:21-22) Simon fell away soon after he was baptized; he was in sin; he needed forgiveness The NT teaches the possibility of apostasy (Gal. 6:4-5; Heb. 3:12)

The Damnation of Sin (8:23) Simon was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity; he was going to perish Sin is no trivial matter (Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23); iniquity will keep us out of heaven (Lk. 13:27)

True Nature Repentance (8:22) Simon was told to repent and pray True repentance will stop the sin (Mt. 3:8; 2 Cor. 7:9-11); true prayer will confess the sin (Jas. 5:16; 1 Jn. 1:9) Forgiveness is conditioned upon repentance (Lk. 17:3; 23:34 with Acts 2:38) Simon believed his judgment