Acts 8:1-24

After Stephen had been stoned to death for preaching Christ (Acts 6:8-7:60), Luke introduces a man named Saul who becomes the major focus in the remaining chapters of Acts. As Saul is introduced to the reader, Luke describes that the church at Jerusalem was experiencing a “great persecution” and many Christians were “scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…” (8:1). The only ones who remained in Jerusalem were the apostles because they did not fear man and were passionate about delivering the message of Jesus Christ to all people. It is apparent that this man, Saul, was heavily involved in persecuting the church because Luke says “he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (8:3). Those who persecuted the church thought they could silence it through physical punishment; however, those who were scattered preached the word to the regions beyond Jerusalem (8:4). In fact, Luke mentions that Philip preached the gospel to Samaria where many responded with great joy to his message (8:5-8).

In Samaria, Philip encountered a man named Simon who was a well-respected sorcerer in the city (8:9). The people obeyed him and Scripture reveals that they believed his power was from God (8:10). When many in Samaria believed in Jesus Christ and were baptized, Simon also believed and was baptized (8:12). After his supposed conversion, Simon “was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done” (8:13). When the apostles heard that many were being converted in Samaria they sent Peter and John to them and when they arrived they prayed for the Holy Spirit to fall upon them (8:14-16). “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit” (8:17). When Simon witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit coming down on the people through the laying on of hands, he immediately offered the apostles money so that he could have this same power (8:18-19). Peter rebukes Simon for his selfishness and commands him to “Repent therefore of your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity” (8:22-23). Simon became fearful of the consequences for his sin and begged for mercy; however, his words only seem to indicate a fearfulness over his punishment, not his sinfulness (8:24).

I believe that this instance reveals that there are people who simply make a loose, verbal commitment to Jesus Christ for selfish gain, not because they are truly repentant of their sin. Although the Bible declares that Simon believed (8:13), it also makes clear that his belief was driven by selfish motives and therefore not genuine (8:18-23). A person who desires to be saved must first repent (express regret for sin because it offends God) and trust in Jesus Christ who took the punishment for sin (death) upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). If an individual approaches Christ with any other motives for salvation – better life, success, removal of problems, financial gain, etc. – than his heart has not been truly converted and he is still in his sin. Paul says it best in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Dear God, help those who come to You for salvation to be truly repentant of their sin.