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The Sin of Simon
Acts 8:4-25
One of the most interesting accounts of conversion during New Testament times is
found in Acts, chapter 8. The account referred to is the conversion of the
Samaritans by Philip, as recorded in verses 4-25 of the chapter. It is
interesting as much for what it excludes from the conversion process as for what
it includes.
As an example, one might note that Holy Spirit baptism is excluded from the
conversion process. Verses 14-16 indicate that the Samaritans had been
converted, and yet, "...He (the Holy Spirit) had fallen upon none of them. They
had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." In fact, it was not until
the apostles sent Peter and John to lay hands on the new converts that they
received the Holy Spirit. This obviously disproves any claim that "Holy Spirit
Baptism" plays a part in the
process of conversion.
The occasion of the apostles' visit and their laying on of hands brings to our
attention another example of what conversion does NOT include. It does not
include the
unconditional safety of the convert. In other words, Acts 8 teaches that it is
possible for a child of God to apostatize, and as such be lost eternally.
In verse 13 of the text, a sorcerer named Simon is mentioned as being converted
by the preaching of Philip. His conversion cannot be successfully denied. We are
told that he believed, and he was baptized. This brings to mind the clear
teaching of Jesus in Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
but he who does not believe will be condemned." Notice the text is just as
positive in stating his conversion as it is any of the others who were convinced
by the preaching of Philip on that occasion.
Later on in the account we read of Simon committing a sin. He saw the apostles
laying hands on the Christians there, and offered them money, saying, "Give me
this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit"
(verse 19). As Peter pointed out very clearly in verse twenty, it was sinful to
try and purchase a gift from God with money! We must not lose sight of the
scenario here in this context. Simply, we have a Christian, guilty of sin.
Now, notice carefully the statement of Peter in its entirety, recorded in verses
20-23. "But Peter said to him, 'Your money perish with you, because you thought
that
the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion
in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent
therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your
heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and
bound by iniquity.'"
We have already determined by the passage that Simon was a Christian. He had
believed, and he had been baptized. Therefore, he was saved. And yet just as
clear is the import of the above verses. Simon had sinned. As such he was in
danger of "perishing". He was in need of prayer and repentance. He was bound by
iniquity. The passage very clearly teaches that unless he repented and asked
God's forgiveness, he would be lost for an eternity. We are happy to note his
repentance, and his request for the apostles' prayer.
What we want to emphasize, however, is the possibility raised here of a child of
God losing his soul. A very large contingent in Protestant denominations deny
this
possibility. The influence of John Calvin has so pervaded Protestantism that
this issue presents itself quite often in Bible discussions. Calvin believed
that salvation was in the realm of God, apart from any action of man. He
reasoned that if God saved or condemned man according to His whim, then a man
predestined to salvation could not endanger his safety by any activity, no
matter how heinous it might be. In effect, "Once saved, always saved", a
doctrine more formally known as the "Impossibility of Apostasy".
With due respect to Mr. Calvin, the text we have examined clearly teaches
otherwise. And the example of disciple Simon does not stand unaccompanied by
others. Many passages stating similar warnings can be cited.
For example, the book of Hebrews. In reality the entire epistle stands as a
warning of the possibility of apostasy. The writer of that profound letter
begins in chapter two by stating, "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed
to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." In chapter five he chastises
his readers for being so immature. He states in verse 12, "For though by this
time you ought to be teachers, you need {someone} to teach you again the first
principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not
solid food." After this admonition, he encourages his readers to "go on to
perfection" (6:1), in other words to continue to develop and mature. The
operative question here is why? Why the need to grow and mature if at our
conversion we are safe for eternity? His answer is found in verse 4 of chapter
6. "For {it is} impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted
the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted
the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to
renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son
of God, and put {Him} to an open shame." God says that we must continue to go
forward, and that to remain stagnant puts us in danger of being lost eternally.
It is possible for one who was enlightened, having tasted the heavenly gift
(obviously referring to a Christian) to fall away, and for it to be impossible
for them to be renewed again to repentance (obviously referring to an eternally
lost condition). The Hebrew writer penned his entire letter to warn his readers
of the very possibility most of the religious world denies exists. A Christian
who does not maintain his faithfulness and steadfastness CAN LOSE HIS sOUL!
Other passages could be cited which clearly warn of the possibility of a child
of God losing his soul. The reader is encouraged to examine Romans 8:12-13;
Revelation 3:1-5; II Peter 73 2:18-22; Hebrews 10:26-31; and Galatians
6:7-9.
It must be understood that the process of conversion is properly viewed as a
beginning. When a person is baptized, his sins are washed away. He is a new
creature.
As long as he maintains his faithfulness to God he is promised an eternity in
heaven. He is, however, obligated to that faithfulness. As our Lord wrote to the
saints in
Smyrna in Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about
to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw {some} of you into prison, that
you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until
death, and I will give you the crown of life."
By Stan Cox
From Expository Files 2.1; January, 1995
