Acts 8:4-25

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] “Sorcery” is from Gk. Mageuo – a magician: “a wizard, sorcerer, a pretender to magic powers, a professor of the arts of witchcraft”; cp. Matthew 2:1, etc. – a “wise man” [Vine’s] - Simon not really “someone great” – he just claimed this Whatever “power” Simon had was based on illusion, not reality - Simon not really “the great power of God” – they just believed it

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] “Sorcery” = illusion, not reality - v. 11 – “they heeded him because he had astonished them…” “Sorcery” “works” because people believe the illusion’s lie - cp. Bible’s warnings: 1 John 4:1; 2 Thess. 2:9-12

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] “Sorcery” = illusion, not reality - this preaching included miracles and signs [vs. 6-7, 13] “Sorcery” “works” because people believe the illusion’s lie - “miracles” is from Gk. Dunamis – “power, inherent ability…is used of works of a supernatural origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and means” [Vine’s] Philip came and “preached Christ to them” [vs. 4-5] - “signs” is from Gk. Semeion – “sign, token, or indication” [Vine’s] Signs and miracles indicate or point to something else: cp. John 3:1-2; 2 Thess 3:17 – “a sign in every epistle”

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] “Sorcery” = illusion, not reality - a sign comes AFTER what it confirms; cp. Mk 16:17-20; 2 Th 3:17 “Sorcery” “works” because people believe the illusion’s lie - v. 6 – “the multitudes…heeded the things spoken by Philip”; the miracles came AFTER his message Philip came and “preached Christ to them” [vs. 4-5] - v. 12 – “they believed Philip as he preached…the kingdom of God” Miracles are meant to confirm the message’s truth; sign [Hb 2:1-4] - cp. Bible’s warnings: 2 Th 2:9-12; Dt 13:1-5 – truth is the difference Unfortunately, many who do not know the truth still find themselves victims to the “sorcery” of “wise men” who claim theology, philosophy, special knowledge, or power

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - cp. Peter in Acts 2:37-38; also Philip in Acts 8:12-13, though baptism hotly debated today, doesn’t seem to have been issue of debate in N.T.: heard, believed, repented, were baptized - though repentance not mentioned, no one denies it happened! The message of truth that Philip preached must have taught this  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13]

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - When he was convinced of the truth, he believed it all, not in part - Today, people consider themselves “wiser” than those who heard the unadulterated gospel preached by those who received it from God directly! Rejecting baptism is rejecting the gospel’s salvation! The message of truth that Philip preached must have taught this  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13] All who heard and believed responded this way, including Simon

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - Philip had received the Holy Spirit this way [cp. Acts 6:3-6; 8:6-7] - Note that there are two senses in which the Holy Spirit is given:  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13] This is a new occurrence at this point in the gospel’s history  That “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…” [8:12-13] 1) Non-miraculously to believers: Ac 2:38-39; 1 Co 6:19; 2 Tm 1:14; Philip was “full of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 6:3 before Acts 6:6! 2) Miraculously to a chosen few: Acts 2:1-4; 6:6 [6:8; 8:6; etc.]; After laying on of apostles’ hands, Philip able to do miracles! Having the Holy Spirit in a non-miraculous sense would be “invisible”; but Simon SAW these men receive the Holy Spirit!

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - There is no indication anywhere else in N.T. of others doing this! - No one living today has received the Holy Spirit by this means!  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13] This is a new occurrence at this point in the gospel’s history  That “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…” [8:12-13] Only the apostles had this power to pass on the Holy Spirit

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - He wanted to be like the apostles with power to pass on the Spirit - Though we are told he “believed” and “was baptized” [8:13]:  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13]  That “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…” [8:12-13] Simon gave into his temptation for power and attention [cp. 8:13]  That a Christian can so sin as to be lost [8:18-23]  he was to “perish” [8:20]  his “heart was not right” [8:21]  he must “repent of…wickedness” [8:22]  he was “poisoned by bitterness” [8:23]  he was “bound by iniquity” [8:23]

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13] - Simon believed that he was in trouble, and sought help! [8:24]  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13]  That “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…” [8:12-13] Simon gave into his temptation for power and attention [cp. 8:13]  That a Christian can so sin as to be lost [8:18-23] Many deny that a believer can lose his salvation, but: - Simon, just like Paul, learned that salvation is a precious gift that must be treasured and preserved: cp. 1 Co 9:27; Ph 2:12; etc.

What Simon Saw Acts 8:4-25  The difference between “sorcery” and truth [8:6-7; 9-13]  That baptism is necessary for salvation [8:12-13]  That “through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…” [8:12-13]  That a Christian can so sin as to be lost [8:18-23] Are you willing to see what Simon so clearly SAW? TRUTH must guide our eyes, not illusions! OBEDIENCE means doing all that truth demands! God’s plan was carried out specifically and purposefully! God’s plan was put in action for YOUR salvation! Won’t you comply with His plan??