Not for Sale

Acts 8:18-25 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
 
WE learn in Acts 8:13 Simon believed and was baptized…astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. But when Peter and John laid hands on the new believers, Simon wanted to buy the power. Is Simon’s belief real? Or was he merely believing in the miracles?
   Many people Jesus encountered were like Simon. They believed the evidence of Jesus’ miracles. How could they not? People dramatically changed to health, even resurrected lives! But they did not believe Jesus is Lord of Life. Some even claimed he was of the devil. God’s gifts do not automatically produce faith in Jesus’ salvation.
   Peter’s response to Simon seems to be an angry rebuke. In part he said, “May your money perish with you. Your heart is not right. Repent. Pray to the Lord. You are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
   Peter had the gift to know a man’s heart. One who is saved will not be full of bitterness. He will not be captive to sin. Simon wanted to profit from the Spirit’s gifts as he had from the devil’s sorcery. He apparently had no relationship with the Lord. That’s why he implored Peter, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” He did not ask Peter to pray for a true faith, only protection from God’s judgment.
   Long before this Pharoah’s dark heart implored Moses in the same way. Three times he asked Moses, “Pray to the LORD your God that I may…” (Exodus 8, 9, 10). He continually rejected God’s sovereign power to free Israel; yet he recognized God’s power to judge Egypt. Pharaoh, like Simon, did not pray for repentance.
   People may acknowledge God exists. But they refuse to receive him as Lord and Redeemer of their lives. Their goal is to get what they can from God in this life with no concern of their eternal life. They are willing to have others pray for them, but they have no interest in seeking God for a personal living relationship. Self remains their god.
   The evidence of true faith is the Spirit empowering your life with particular gifts. Among those are a desire to pray for yourself and others, to repent of sins, to obey God’s commands and most of all, to love God and love others. Your redeemed life produces fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and gifts for building up the church (Romans 12). Perhaps Peter’s rebuke awakened Simon to true faith.