The Gift of God

NEXT PREVIOUS

PODCAST

June 4th, 2014

Acts 8:4-25

I’ve heard folks call Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9ff.) a “make-believer,” a pretender. They insist his conversion was not genuine. But Luke says, “Simon himself believed and was baptized” (v. 13). It can’t be plainer than that. Simon was a believer.

Those who dispute Simon’s conversion quote what Peter said later: “Your heart is not right before God. Repent . . . and pray . . . that he may forgive you” (Acts 8:21b-22). They can’t conceive that such a man was ever a believer.

Paul describes Simon’s dilemma: “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do . . . I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Romans 7:15b, 18b). Simon was a believer struggling with his sinful nature.

Peter and John knew what Simon needed. “They prayed for the new believers . . . that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15). Unfortunately, Simon was more interested in manipulating the Spirit than in receiving Him.

We do not know how Simon’s story ended: But what about you?