Take Courage when challenged

Acts 8:9-25

⁹ A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. ¹⁰ Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” ¹¹ They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

¹² But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. ¹⁵ As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. ¹⁹ “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

²⁰ But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! ²¹ You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. ²² Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, ²³ for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

²⁴ “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

²⁵ After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

I find this encounter quite amazing as I read this with “today’s culture and lens”. 

Simon (the sorcerer) has become and believer and is baptised.  He is new Christian.  He watches Peter and John, laying hands on people and them being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Simon offers money for the Holy Spirit’s power.  Rather than an explanation or pulling him aside to have a quiet chat, Peter’s response is public and is so strong: “may your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!”  “You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.”  “Repent of your wickedness … you are full of evil thoughts, jealousy and sin”.

How would Jesus have responded to Simon the sorcerer?  What would Jesus have said?

The Bible doesn’t tell us what happens to Simon after this encounter with Peter.  However, it does record Simon’s response to Peter.  Simon asks him to pray to the Lord for him, that he does not reap from what he has previously sown.

Lord, I ask that you would give me wisdom in how I respond to people who do evil things.  I pray that your Holy Spirit would quicken to me words of knowledge for people, give me the courage to rebuke and call out sin when necessary, and help me to guide both gently and firmly those who are seeking the truth of Jesus.  Lord, teach me to respond like you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Written by Ps. Sue Botta