Another Look At Simon the Sorcerer

Text: Acts 8:9-24

Thesis: To look at Simon through denominational and biblical lenses.

Introduction:

1. Simon the Sorcerer is a familiar character in the Bible.

2. Certain denominational doctrines do cause problems for Simon.

Discussion:

Let us consider…

I. The denominational conundrum.

Simon is a conundrum when looking at him through denominational glasses. I know my

conviction, but how do others view this Simon who practiced sorcery and magic? Now

here’s where the question comes from…

A. The religious world predominately views salvation to precede baptism and that

baptism is an “outward sign of an inward grace.” Simon was baptized. Therefore,

he is a Christian, supposedly by denominational expectations. (Illustration – My 7th

grade English teacher had us describe a process that had order. One boy described

how he made a grilled cheese sandwich. He told how he made it and cooked it.

The problem is that he ate it before it took it out of the pan. Order is important.)

B. Denominations also teach “Eternity Security” or “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

Peter told Simon to “repent” because he “neither had part nor portion in this

matter” for he was “in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.” In light of

“once-saved-always-saved” teaching, some suggest he was never saved from the

start.

C. So, was Simon lost in the world, or was Simon saved? If he was saved, did he lose

his salvation? I had to know the answer to the question, so I called various denominations to

ask them how they classified Simon the Sorcerer of Acts 8.

II. The denominational response.

A. Baptist Preacher – Simon was a disingenuous Christian who was never saved. He

obeyed outwardly but inwardly was not regenerative (growing).

B. Catholic Priest – Simon was baptized, but his intentions were not known.

C. Methodist Preacher – Christians have the assurance of salvation because they are

always under God’s grace and always in the presence of God. The (“lost” or

“saved”) status of Simon is unknown. Generally speaking, this preacher couldn’t

discern the reward of one who has found the Lord only to have distanced himself

from God.

D. Pentecostal Preacher – Simon was overzealous but was ignorant. He received the

Holy Spirit. His spirit-man was saved but his head-man was lost.

You can see the various responses and the different points-of-view. But what can

we know from the scriptural story?

III. THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE.

A. Simon believed & was baptized (Acts 8:13) as was the Samaritans (Acts 8:12), the

Philippian jailor (Acts 16:31, 34), Crispus and the Corinthians (Acts 18:8). Should

we discredit their conversions? Simon was a Christian.

B. Simon continued in fellowship with Philip and the Samaritan disciples (Acts 8:13) for

an unspecified number of days until Peter and John came to lay hands on all the

new believers (Acts 8:13). [Read excerpts about “the city of Samaria”] Wouldn’t

Philip have corrected Simon’s insincerity during the days he continued with him

until Peter and John arrived? Wouldn’t the apostles, upon arriving there, have

corrected Simon’s insincerity as they did with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5? (In

both examples, the heart of the individual was not right. What makes the

disingenuous heart of Ananias and Sapphira worthy of death and Simon’s heart not

worthy of death?) Time elapsed since Simon and the Samaritans believed, word of

the conversion arrived in Jerusalem, and the apostles came from Jerusalem to

Samaria.

C. Simon sinned in that he wanted to buy the apostleship to transfer power (Acts 8:19).

(He wanted to power to give the power.) This action made Simon’s heart “not right

in the sight of God” and in need of repentance for he was set to perish with his

money for the wickedness [the desire to transfer power] conceived in his heart

(Acts 8:20-22).

D. Simon’s condition, if he were to die that very day, was “in the gall of bitterness and

the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:23). He was lost and need of God’s grace again.

E. Simon seemingly repented by acknowledging the need for prayers on his behalf

that would stem Peter’s curse (Acts 8:24).

Hat-Rack Apps

1. Heaven’s plan is clear: hear, believe, repent, confess & be baptized.

2. You can know when you are saved.

3. You can sin so as to be lost and in need of forgiveness.

4. You can know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.

Conclusion:

1. Reading & understanding the Bible helps us to know the truth.

2. God wants us to avoid sin and live faithfully.