A man named Simon sees the apostles laying their hands on a group of people and them receiving the Holy Spirit. He wants this power for himself so he offers the apostles money for it. Money and power can corrupt individuals and damage the church.
Saul has just approved of Stephens execution and is going around dragging Christians into prison (Acts 8.1-3). The church has been scattered. One might think this new Jesus movement will be hindered by the opposition. But, the LORD is behind this movement. There’s not a chance anything will stop it!
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And 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. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city. (Acts 8.4-8)
‘Those who were scattered‘. The persecution only multiplied the number of groups sharing the gospel. The persecution had the opposite effect on opposing the gospel. It served to spread it around.
Do you think persecution can be a good thing? How should this influence your prayer?
‘Saw the signs that he did‘. When people heard the gospel and saw the miracles the LORD was doing through Philip they came to faith. A powerful combination, Word and Spirit. God’s kingdom breaking into this world.
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9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. (Acts 8.9-13)
‘Saying he was someone great’. Looks like Simon is a proud and self centered man. His ‘magic’ only serves to further his own popularity.
‘Preached the good news about the kingdom’. But when Philip gospelled the gospel, speaking about God’s kingdom and Jesus there was a demonstration of true power.
Hearts were changed and people put their faith in Jesus.
‘Even Simon believed’. Simon heard the message and saw the signs. He was baptised and continued following Philip. All good signs.
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14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8.14-17)
‘The apostles heard’. They would have been encouraged and challenged by the spread of the gospel. Encouraged to see God working. Challenged to hear Samaritans (mix blooded Hebrews) were putting their faith in Jesus. This has implications for fellowship and anticipates the belief of the Gentiles (Acts 10). Peter and John come down to meet them.
Has anyone ever laid their hands on you?
‘Prayed that they might receive’. Normally when people come to believe in Jesus, they also have the Holy Spirit. In Acts this neat order doesn’t always work out.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” (Acts 8.18-24)
‘Give me this power’. Simon still desires power and popularity. He sees the Holy Spirit come on the Samaritans and wants this power for himself. He offers the apostles money for the gift.
Gifts of God cannot be bought. They are manifestations of God’s grace.
‘Your heart is not right before God’. Peter calls him out on his sin. Simon cannot buy God off for power which he will only use to glorify himself. This says something about Simon’s heart and faith in Jesus. At Peters rebuke, Simon repents of his sin and fears God’s punishment.
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. (Acts 8.25)
Despite all this the word of God continued to spread.
About Mission
Offering money for power or special favour is dangerous. Greed and ambition can corrupt anyone.
The word ‘simony’ came into being because of this incident with Simon. It refers to the attempt to gain church office or power through monetary means.
Money and power can cause great damage in the church and in individuals lives.
A man named Simon sees the apostles laying their hands on a group of people and them receiving the Holy Spirit. He wants this power for himself so he offers the apostles money for it. Money and power can corrupt individuals and damage the church.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
