THE BOOK OF ACTS  |  CHAPTER 8

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY - MARK DUNAGAN


I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 8:

I. Persecution Against The Church: 8:1-4

II. Philip Preaches In Samaria: 8:5-13

III. Peter And John/Simon's Request and Rebuke: 8:14-25

IV. Philip Preaches To The Eunuch: 8:26-40


II. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

'Luke seems to have regarded Stephen and Philip as a pair. Both men belonged to the Seven, and so had social (physical/benevolent-MD) responsibilities in the Jerusalem church (6:5). Yet both were also preaching evangelists (6:10; 8:5), and both performed public signs and wonders (6:8; 8:6). In addition, Luke saw the ministry of both men as helping to pave the way for the Gentile mission. Stephen's contribution lay in his teaching...and in the effects of his martyrdom, while Philip's lay in his bold evangelization of the Samaritans and of an Ethiopian leader. For the Jews regarded the Samaritans as heretical outsiders and Ethiopia as "the extreme boundary of the habitable world in the hot south"....Effective evangelism becomes possible only when the church recovers both the biblical gospel and a joyful confidence in its truth, relevance and power.' (Stott p. 144)


III. COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER EIGHT:

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

'CONSENTING'-4909. suneudokeo {soon-yoo-dok-eh'-o}; from 4862 and 2106; to think well of in common, i.e. assent to, feel gratified with: -allow, assent, be pleased, have pleasure.

-'hearty agreement' (NASV); 'fully approved of' (Wey). (Acts 22:20) 'signifying entire approval' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 207)

Point to Note:

Operating from a wrong premise, a very intelligent, devout and educated man can be completely wrong (Acts 26:9; 22:3-4). Notice that zeal isn't a safeguard against believing error (Romans 10:1-3). Apparently Saul observed the trial of Stephen, heard his defense, knew the charges, witnessed the stoning, and from his perspective concluded that the right thing had been done.

'ON THAT DAY'-'the martyrdom of Stephen acted like the first taste of blood to a wild beast.' (Boles p. 121)

'GREAT PERSECUTION'-'The tumult did not subside when Stephen was dead. The persecutors went looking for others to "discipline" until they either recanted..or were dead! It is clear from the following record that this persecution involved much suffering, imprisonment..' (Reese p. 313). See Hebrews 10:33-34.

'THEY WERE ALL SCATTERED ABROAD'-'All' here doesn't refer to every Christian, for a congregation continued to exist in Jerusalem, even after this persecution (Acts 9:26). But it does suggest that many Christians were forced to flee.

'JUDAEA'-'The neighboring Judean towns, Hebron, Gaza, Lydda, and Joppa, became places of refuge.' (Reese p. 314)

'SAMARIA'-'In the time of Jesus, Palestine west of the Jordan River was divided into the three provinces of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea..Situated between Galilee and Judea, Samaria was the natural route for traveling between those two provinces.' (Nelsons p. 941)

Points to Note:

    1. 'in Samaria they would find a welcome simply because they were being persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders.' (Reese p. 314)

    2. In view of the fact that orthodox Jews wouldn't even travel through Samaria (they would travel east, cross the Jordan River, and detour around Samaria), this territory would provide safe haven (John 4:9).

    3. Here we see the gospel beginning to penetrate the regions outlined in Acts 1:8.

    4. 'Some have suggested that a reason why God permitted this persecution was because the early Christians were becoming settled and contented in Jerusalem.' (Reese p. 314) But we must reject this view: (a) The church was being instructed by inspired men (the apostles). (b) A solid foundation had to be established, members needed training and instruction before they could teach others (Acts 2:42).

'EXCEPT THE APOSTLES'-'no doubt because they conceived it to be their duty to stay at their posts.' (Bruce p. 175) 'They, like faithful watchmen, remained at their post, to confirm the souls of those disciples who for one reason or another were unable to flee..' (P.P. Comm. p. 250) Seeing that Jerusalem was a constant center of religious activity, they may have also stayed to preach to those Jews that were continually coming to the various feasts.

Acts 8:2 And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

'DEVOUT'-2126. eulabes {yoo-lab-ace'}; from 2095 and 2983; taking well (carefully), i.e. circumspect (religiously, pious): -devout.

-The word is used for very religious minded non-Christians (Acts 2:5; 10:1-2). This expression could refer to Christians and or Jewish individuals who disapproved of the Sanhedrin's actions.

'MADE GREAT LAMENTATION OVER HIM'-2870. kopetos {kop-et-os'}; from 2875; mourning (properly, by beating the breast): -lamentation.

'The law prescribed the duty of burying the bodies of executed persons, but the Mishnah (Sanhedrin vi. 6) forbade public lamentation for them. Stephen, at any rate, received the funeral tribute due to him..' (Bruce p. 174)

We may take this lamentation as a type of protest, 'deploring the injustice of his death. They (those who buried him-MD), will have taken a considerable personal risk by thus identifying with Stephen.' (Stott p. 145)

Acts 8:3 But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

'LAID WASTE'-3075. lumainomai {loo-mah'-ee-nom-ahee}; middle voice from a probably derivative of 3089 (meaning filth); properly, to soil, i.e. (figuratively) insult (maltreat): -make havock of.

-'began to devastate' (TCNT). 'expresses a brutal and sadistic cruelty' (Stott p. 145). In classical Greek, this word is used of personal outrage, or the ruin and devastation caused by an army.

Point to Note:

Other passages give us the inward mental reasonings of this persecutor: (a) He was zealous for the ancestral traditions (Gal. 1:13-14). (b) 'Drastic action was called for; these people, he thought, were not merely misguided enthusiasts whose sincerity in embracing error might merit a measure of pity; they were deliberate impostors.' (Bruce p. 175). He was convinced that this new movement must be destroyed (Gal. 1:13; Acts 26:9-10).

'ENTERING INTO EVERY HOUSE'-A house-to-house search for believers.

'DRAGGING MEN AND WOMEN COMMITTED THEM TO PRISON'-(Acts 26:10). He did all of this with the authority and consent of the chief priests. Here we see the thoroughness, relentlessness and violent nature of this persecution. Some of the women mentioned in Luke 8:2-3 and Acts 1:14 may be included in the above category.

'TO PRISON'-'In the first century world, men were put in prison to await trial. The ancients did not give prison sentences, as courts today do. In those days, when the trial was completed, the prisoner was either freed, beaten and freed, or executed.' (Reese p. 316) Later on we learn that some of those arrested and imprisoned, were put to death (Acts 26:10).

Points to Note:

    1. If we ask, 'Where are the Roman authorities, while all this is going on?' Boles notes, that in A.D. 37 (near this time of persecution), the emperor Tiberius died and Caligula succeeded him. And as a result there was a time when there was no Roman governor in Judea. Thus is looks like that whatever window of latitude the Jewish rulers had, they tried to destroy the church before any outside inference stopped them.

    2. McGarvey notes that the death of Stephen had prepared Christians for this wave of persecution:

'Thus far, amid many tears, some stripes, and much affliction, they had found satisfaction in his service; but before Stephen's death it was not known by experience how their new faith would sustain them in a dying hour...He had died praying for his murderers, and committing his spirit to the Son of man..No man at the present day can tell how great was the strength and consolation which came to all when the death of the first who died was so triumphant. It was a fitting and most providential preparation for the fiery ordeal through which the whole body of the believers was immediately compelled to pass.' (p. 135)

At this point, from a human perspective we might expect the history of the Church to end. But the next verse reveals a completely different outcome.

Acts 8:4 They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word.

'WENT ABOUT PREACHING THE WORD'-And future passages reveal that such preaching resulted in great success (Acts 11:19ff).

Points to Note:

    1. 'as they fled, far from going into hiding, or even maintaining a prudential silence, preached the word wherever they went...What is plain is that the devil (who lurks behind all persecution of the church) over-reached himself. His attack had the opposite effect to what he intended. Instead of smothering the gospel, persecution succeeded only in spreading it.' (Stott p. 146)

    2. Thus we see that the devil isn't all-knowing or all-wise. His methods of temptation or persecution are not destined to succeed. Rather, he only wins, if we react in a sinful manner (1 Peter 5:8-9).

    3. Such preaching was possible because the members of the Church in Jerusalem had taken advantage of the teaching offered by the apostles (Acts 2:42; Matthew 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:2)

    4. Reese notes, 'Some try to excuse themselves from this responsibility by saying, "I can't do anything", or " I don't know what to say". One wonders how they would have become a Christian in the first place if everyone in the world had acted and spoken the way they are...When a man makes such a statement as "I can't" or "What do I say?" he is admitting his ignorance of the plan of salvation. And he is admitting his ignorance of how he himself became a Christian.' (p. 317)

    5. The time period between Acts 2 and this dispersion is somewhere between 4-6 years. Thus in this period of time members had become able to "teach others also" (Hebrews 5:12-14).


PHILIP AMONG THE SAMARITANS:

Acts 8:5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.

'PHILIP'-This is Philip, one of the seven, for all the apostles stayed in Jerusalem (8:1). In addition, if this had been Philip the apostle, the Holy Spirit could have been imparted by his hands, instead of having Peter and John come down to Samaria for that purpose (8:14-18).

'TO THE CITY OF SAMARIA'-The presence of the definite article establishes that Philip preached not just in Samaria, but in the city known as Samaria in the O.T., the former capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. Herod the Great had made many improvements to this city and renamed it Sebaste--the Greek term for Augustus in honor of the emperor. Jesus had preached in the region known as Samaria (John 4:5ff).

Point to Note:

'It is hard for us to conceive the boldness of the step Philip took in preaching the gospel to Samaritans. For the hostility between Jews and Samaritans had lasted a thousand years. It began with the break-up of the monarchy in the tenth century B.C. when ten tribes defected, making Samaria their capital, and only two tribes remained loyal to Jerusalem. It became steadily worse when Samaria was captured by Assyria in 722 B.C., thousands of its inhabitants were deported, and the country was re-populated by foreigners. In the sixth century B.C., when the Jews returned to their land, they refused the help of the Samaritans in the rebuilding of the temple...The Samaritans were despised by the Jews as hybrids in both race and religion, as both heretics and schismatics.' (Stott p. 147)

See 2 Kings 17:24-34; Ezra 4:1-10; Nehemiah 2:10-6:14.

'The Samaritans trace their beginnings to the time of Eli, who established the sanctuary for worship of God in Shiloh. They also believe their religion is distinctive because they base their beliefs and practices on the Torah, or the Law--the first five books of the Old Testament. They recognize no other Hebrew scriptures as authoritative..The final break between the two groups (Jews and Samaritans) occurred when the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, claiming Shechem rather than Zion (Jerusalem) as the true "Bethel" (house of God).' (Nelsons p. 943,942)

'They did..share with the Jews the hope of a coming Messiah.' (Bruce p. 177)

'PROCLAIMED UNTO THEM THE CHRIST'-Note that preaching Christ in this chapter included preaching baptism (8:12; 36-38). Therefore, we can never accept the popular theory, 'preach the man, not the plan'. According to Jesus Himself, you cannot separate Him from what He taught (John 12:48). Thus preaching Jesus, will also involve preaching the doctrines that He taught and those He revealed through His apostles (1 Cor. 14:37).

Acts 8:6 And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

'GAVE HEED WITH ONE ACCORD'-'unanimously attended' (Ber); 'attended like one man' (Mof).

'AND SAW THE SIGNS WHICH HE DID'-Once again stressing that the miracles were for the purpose of authenticating the speaker as a man from God (John 3:2; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:3-4)

Acts 8:7 For {from} many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed.

'CRYING WITH A LOUD VOICE'-The demons had cried out and confessed the Deity of Christ (Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41). But this may have been a cry of anguish or rage as they were cast out. Notice once again how the Biblical writers place a distinction between physical illness and demon possession.

'PALSIED'-3886. paraluo {par-al-oo'-o}; from 3844 and 3089; to loosen beside, i.e. relax (perfect passive participle, paralyzed or enfeebled): -feeble, sick of the (taken with) palsy.

-'paralyzed' (TCNT). 'Under the general name "paralyzed" several infirmities were included..' (Reese p. 319) 'with no power over the muscles' (Robertson p. 103)

'The causes of palsy are many and varied. The condition may be inherited. It may be due to injury at birth. Sicknesses, such as polio..A common cause is injury to a major nerve, or to the spinal cord..Progressive, or wasting palsy, is seen in muscular dystrophy...A striking example of generalized and usually permanent paralysis is seen in some cases of polio meningitis.' 1

'WERE HEALED'-No exceptions or failures.

Acts 8:8 And there was much joy in that city.

'MUCH JOY IN THAT CITY'-Joy resulted because so many had been liberated from demon possession, cruel physical illnesses and their own sins. Notice how the gospel message didn't bring an atmosphere of gloom and doom to those who obeyed it (Acts 8:39; 16:34).


SIMON THE SORCERER:

Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

'CERTAIN MAN'-A real person.

'SIMON BY NAME'-Simon was a very common name among the Jews. 'The early church fathers have written much about this man, some of their accounts being highly imaginative; but nothing is certainly known of him more than what Luke tells us in this place.' (Reese p. 319)

'SORCERY'-3096. mageuo {mag-yoo'-o}; from 3097; to practice magic: -use sorcery.

Point to Note:

'The practice of witchcraft has always been a substitute for divinely revealed religion. Involved some more and some less, would be all these occultic practices--astrology, fortunetelling, spiritism (alleged communication with the souls of the dead)...and many others..' (Reese p. 320)

The Bible very strongly condemns any participation in such things (Galatians 5:20 'sorcery'; Deut. 18:10-14; Exodus 22:18). We should be impressed that servants of God often encountered those who were "experts" in such things, and in every case the individuals who claimed occult powers failed miserably (Exodus 8:19; Daniel 2/5; Acts 13:8-11; 19:13-19).

'AMAZED THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA'-People haven't changed. Even in our own 'modern' times, people are just as gullible to believe the claims of faith-healers, or those who assert they can contact the dead. Consider the number of people that will flock to some individual who claims that they can "channel" for the illustrious dead. 'kept the Samaritan people thrilled' (Wms).

'GIVING OUT THAT HIMSELF WAS SOME GREAT ONE'-'who made great pretensions' (Gspd); 'pretending to have great powers' (Knox)

Point to Note:

Notice the difference in "motive" between Simon and the Apostles. Simon wanted to be viewed as some "great one", the Apostles wanted to be viewed as ordinary men (Acts 3:12; 10:26; 14:14-15). Simon wanted self-glorification, the Apostles desired that men glorify God. Simon was only concerned with "Simon Incorporated", the Apostles were only concerned with the growth of the Kingdom of God.

Acts 8:10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great.

'FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST'-'people of all classes' (Wey); 'All classes flocked to him' (Rieu).

Point to Note:

Consider how Simon not only fooled the common people, but also the influential leaders in the community. 'eminent citizens and ordinary people alike' (JB). Let us keep this in mind the next time that the elite in the entertainment industry, some political party or those in higher education try to convince us that we are wrong. Paul pointed out that the "elite" in any society are often the group which is the most out of touch with reality (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

'SAYING'-This was the popular opinion of Simon.

'THIS MAN IS THAT POWER OF GOD WHICH IS CALLED GREAT'-'Simon regarded himself, and came to be regarded, as some kind of emanation or representative of the divine being.' (Stott p. 149) 'it is likely enough that the people would repeat what Simon told them of himself.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 214)

Point to Note:

And nothing has changed. Even in our own times, people will label someone has a "healer" or "miracle-worker", who never has performed a miracle. People are still just as gullible! Notice that people can really believe that someone has the "power of God", when they do not. Biblical terms can be misused and misapplied.

Acts 8:11 And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

'GAVE HEED TO HIM'-Apparently believing that he was also the channel for Divine revelation.

'THAT OF LONG TIME..'-Evidently Simon had made a good living for himself in Samaria.

'SORCERIES'-3095. mageia {mag-i'-ah}; from 3096; "magic": -sorcery.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

'BUT WHEN THEY BELIEVED PHILIP'-People who had been giving Simon their attention now give Philip their attention and obedience.

Point to Note:

McGarvey notes, 'This case of conversion was well chosen by Luke, because the subjects of it, up to the moment in which Philip began to speak to them, were under the spell of a magician, and the miracles wrought by Philip were brought into direct comparison with the wonders wrought by Simon. The fact that the people without hesitation gave up their faith in Simon as the great power of God, and implicitly believed in what Philip did and taught, can be accounted for only on the ground that there was such a difference between the tricks of sorcery and the miracles, that the people, even though completely deluded by the former, could plainly see, when once the two were placed side by side.' (p. 140)

This is another passage which persuades this writer that the devil doesn't perform the miraculous. For if Simon had really being doing miracles (albeit by demonic power), then how could the people have seen any difference between what Philip did and what Simon did. The fact that people so quickly dropped Simon and that even Simon himself was amazed at what Philip was doing, proves that Simon had only been doing humanly devised tricks.

And BE IMPRESSED that prejudice, ignorance, or the way you were raised are NOT surmountable barriers in understanding and obeying the truth. These people, loyal and deceived followers of a fake--quickly obeyed the gospel.

'PREACHING GOOD TIDINGS'-2097. euaggelizo {yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo}; from 2095 and 32; to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel: -declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel).

'THE KINGDOM OF GOD'-i.e. the Church (Matthew 16:18-19; Acts 20:28=Revelation 1:5-8; Acts 2:47=Colossians 1:12-14). Notice that Philip isn't preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand, for it was already in existence (Mark 9:1; Heb. 12:28).

'THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST'-Which would include such things as: (1) There is salvation in none other (4:12). (2) That Jesus has all authority, He is the Lord (Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36).

'THEY WERE BAPTIZED, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN'-Here we find faith and baptism linked together once again (Mark 16:16; Acts 18:8; John 3:5; Hebrews 10:22). Notice how preaching the gospel includes preaching about baptism and the church. And that preaching the gospel cannot be separated from preaching biblical doctrines, for doctrines makeup the gospel message, i.e. doctrines about sin, salvation, Jesus, etc....Those who argue, 'preach the man, not the plan', actually end up preaching a gospel laced with human tradition and denominational error. For if you eliminate the need to be baptized from your preaching, you will substitute something in it's place.

Acts 8:13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

'SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED'-

Points to Note:

    1. 'His amazement (and belief) is proof that he saw, as the people did, the distinction between miracles and his own tricks..' (McGarvey p. 140). Simon's faith is a strong endorsement to the credibility of Philip's miracles. For Simon knew all the tricks of the trade, he could spot a fellow imposter. The same thing happened centuries before in Egypt (Exodus 8:19). Hence, both Luke (the writer and a physician), and Simon (an expert magician) testify that Philip really did work miracles.

    2. If it wasn't for the doctrine of once-saved, always-saved, probably very few would even question Simon's sincerity. For Simon is a monkey-wrench in that doctrine, i.e. a Christian who was in danger of losing his salvation (Acts 8:20-23). Hence most Calvinists argue that Simon was never really saved in the first place, i.e. his faith was insincere. In response: (a) McGarvey reminds us, 'it should be observed that the words, "Simon also himself believed", are written not from Philip's point of view, but from Luke's. Philip might have been deceived by pretended faith; but Luke, writing LONG AFTER THE TRANSACTION, and with all the knowledge of Simon's later career...says he believed..' (p. 141) (b) I have always been amazed at the glaring contradiction that Calvinists overlooked when they make the above argument. On one hand they insist that a person is saved at the moment of faith. Yet, in Simon's case, Simon not only believed, he was baptized, and continued with Philip--and yet they argue, 'but he was never really saved in the first place.' Now are you saved at the moment of faith or not? (c) Reese notes, 'Luke plainly shows by the use of "even" (8:13)..that there was no difference between the faith of Simon and the faith of the other Christians in Samaria..Not only did he have the kind of faith that motivated him to action and obedience, but he continued in the fellowship of Philip, the preacher.' (p. 322) (d) And may we add. That Simon had more faith than modern Calvinists, for he accepted what the Lord had taught concerning baptism (Mark 16:16)!

'CONTINUED WITH PHILIP'-'constantly in Philip's company' (NEB). No one was more amazed than Simon. He knew (from experience), that Philip was doing things which no man could do--without real Divine power.

'BEHOLDING'-Which suggests that Simon was personally present when Philip healed people.

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

'JOHN'-'John, with his brother James, had once suggested that they should..bring down fire from heaven on a Samaritan community, for its inhospitable behaviour to their Master (Luke 9:52ff). It was with a very different attitude that he now set out with Peter..' (Bruce pp. 180-181)

Acts 8:15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:

Acts 8:16 for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

'THEY WERE COME DOWN'-'This is the usual language for someone leaving Jerusalem, for this required the traveler to descend ("go down")..Samaria actually is north of Jerusalem, but it is still "down" from Jerusalem.' (Reese p. 323)

'PRAYED FOR THEM'-The distribution of the Spiritual Gifts rested with God (1 Cor. 12:11).

'SIMPLY BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS'-

Points to Note:

    1. Clearly the baptism mentioned is water baptism. It isn't Holy Spirit baptism, for the Holy Spirit had not fallen on any of them. Notice that water baptism is connected with the name of the Lord Jesus. Proving that water baptism is the baptism of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), and the baptism connected with salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 'be baptized..IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST UNTO THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS.'

    2. Here we learn that the gift of the Holy Spirit connected with water baptism, doesn't involve an immediate ability to work miracles or speak in tongues.

    3. And carefully note that the miraculous or direct influence of the Holy Spirit wasn't needed so these people could believe. The idea that man is born depraved, opposed to all good, and cannot even manifest faith apart from the direct operation of the Holy Spirit, doesn't fit these passages. These people heard the gospel, believed it and were baptized, without the Holy Spirit directly operating upon their heart.

Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Point to Note:

Consider the simplicity of the above text. The apostles prayed for these Christians and then laid their hands on them. If one could impart the ability to work the miraculous, hours or days of prayer weren't needed

Acts 8:18 Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

'SAW'-Which suggests that some visible evidence that people had received the Spirit was easily seen, i.e. the people that the Apostles laid their hands on were able to speak in tongues, prophecy or heal (Acts 2/10)/19).

'THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES' HANDS'-And not the laying on of Philip's hands.

Point to Note:

The reason why Peter and John came to Samaria must be found in what they did when they arrived. Philip had the power to perform miracles, but he didn't lay his hands upon the Samaritans. Inferring: (a) Only the apostles could pass on the ability to perform spiritual gifts. (b) Those on whom the apostles laid their hands (like Philip) could not impart the spiritual gifts. 'Had he possessed such power, it would have been unnecessary for Peter and John to make the trip to impart the power.' (Reese p. 325) (c) Therefore when the last apostle died, and those upon whom they had laid their hands, the miracles ceased (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).

Carefully consider the wisdom of God in this instance: (a) Early on, in the absence of a complete New Testament, newly established congregations were given various gifts, including such things as inspiration and discerning of spirits to protect it from false doctrine. (b) By the time the apostles died, the various New Testament books had been written, distributed, copied and collected. By this time they had the revealed Word to guide them.

'HE OFFERED THEM MONEY'-'Trafficking in things sacred like ecclesiastical preferments in England is called "Simony" because of this offer of Simon.' (Robertson p. 107)

Points to Note:

    1. 1. An example which definitely reveals that new converts can still be under misconceptions after they have been baptized. Hence instruction aimed at new converts is essential (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42).

    2. Reese notes, 'Simon...has a hard time breaking himself of the desire of such position (i.e. influence over the Samaritan people)...The idea that such knowledge could be purchased also would have come from his background...It was the custom of the time for novice enchanters to purchase the secrets of magic from previous masters in the magic art.' (p. 326)

McGarvey notes, 'As a sorcerer, it had been his business to increase his stock in trade by purchasing from other sorcerers the secret of tricks which he could not himself perform, and watching for opportunities to make such purchases.' (p. 146)

Acts 8:19 saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

'GIVE ME ALSO THIS POWER'-Notice that Simon didn't merely want some spiritual gift. Rather, he wanted the power to impart the spiritual gifts. Indicating that Simon wished to remain in a position of influence among the Samaritans and that becoming like 'everyone else' was something he didn't want to face.

'I LAY MY HANDS'-Notice that the Spirit in this instance didn't fall directly from heaven. But came through the apostles.

Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.

'PERISH WITH THEE'-'This rather startling statement is expressive of the horror and indignation of Peter at the base offer of Simon.' (Reese p. 326) 'Lit., be along with thee unto destruction. Destruction overtake thy money and thyself.' (Vincent p. 489)

Points to Note:

    1. Peter believed that there exists a place in which people "perish" (2 Peter 2:9).

    2. Peter isn't saying that Simon never was a Christian in the first place or that Simon is destined for eternal damnation, because Peter tells Simon to repent (8:22). Peter doesn't tell Simon to really believe this time and be baptized.

'THE GIFT OF GOD'-in this case the ability to pass on the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.

'PART NOR LOT'-'You have no share or part' (TCNT)

'IN THIS MATTER'-Not in the matter of salvation, as previously noted. But rather in the matter under consideration, i.e. the spiritual gifts.

'FOR THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT BEFORE GOD'-Notice that God doesn't miraculously remove every wrong desire and impure motive when we become Christians.

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.

'REPENT THEREFORE'-The command to repent infers: (a) Simon can change, he isn't inherently depraved. Simon still has freewill. (b) His heart can once again become right with God. He can correct his motives, he can break from the past. (c) Peter did consider him to be a Christian, for Peter would of told a non-Christian to repent and be baptized (2:38). (d) Simon isn't predestined for damnation (2 Peter 3:9). (e) Which brings up an interesting question for Calvinist's to chew on. Most Calvinistic writers place Simon in a condition of hopelessness. So why did Peter offer Simon any hope? According to the Bible, if a person was told to repent that automatically inferred that they could be saved (2 Peter 3:9). So if Simon was one of those "predestined" for salvation, why does Peter infer that he could end up lost? But if he wasn't one of the "elect", then why did Peter offer him any hope of forgiveness?

'THY'-He was responsible for his own actions (Acts 5:4 'conceived this deed in your heart?')

'WICKEDNESS'-2549. kakia {kak-ee'-ah}; from 2556; badness, i.e. (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble: -evil, malice(-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness.

'AND PRAY THE LORD'-Which would seem to include the confession of the sin to God (1 John 1:8-10).

'IF PERHAPS'-This phrase doesn't refer to some "unpardonable sin", and neither does it suggest that Peter felt that Simon's chances for salvation were very slim. "Perhaps" is exactly what you would say to an individual with freewill. It leaves the door open for repentance or rejection. But there is no "perhaps" in the doctrine of Calvinism. If Simon was one of the elect then he would be forgiven. If he wasn't predestined then all the repentance and prayer in the world could not help him.

'THE THOUGHT OF THY HEART'-His selfish desire to buy the ability to impart the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

'I SEE'-Even non-miraculous insight could tell that Simon's motives weren't pure. (Matthew 15:18 'But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart..').

'GALL OF BITTERNESS'-5521. chole {khol-ay'}; feminine of an equivalent perhaps akin to the same as 5514 (from the greenish hue); "gall" or bile, i.e. (by analogy) poison or an anodyne (wormwood, poppy, etc.): -gall.

-'poisoned with envy' (Nor); 'turning to bitter poison' (Beck)

'BOND OF INIQUITY'-'slave of wrong-doing' (Nor); 'being chained by wickedness' (Beck); 'a man bitter with jealousy and bound with his own sin' (Phi).

These words infer: (a) Peter believed that Simon could lose his salvation. (b) And this not only applies to Simon, but to all who lapse back into sin (2 Peter 2:20-22). (c) It suggests that sin is progressive, and that one can't 'dabble' in sin, but that sin eventually overcomes all who don't correct the misconceptions, wrong motives, etc..in their hearts. (d) Sin doesn't offer freedom, it only offers bondage (John 8:34).

The lesson is clear, as long as we refuse to adopt God's way of thinking (Phil. 4:8; 2:3-5), we will fail.

Point to Note:

In contrast to those today who insist that any negative admonitions or rebuke, are not manifestations of the "love" taught by Jesus. Be impressed that Peter was very stern and pointed with this new convert.

Acts 8:24 And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

'PRAY YE FOR ME TO THE LORD'-Now many writers at this point assert that this response by Simon is proof that he was being hypocritical or insincere. Stott says, 'Simon's response to Peter's rebuke was not encouraging. He showed no sign of repentance, or even of contrition. Instead of praying for forgiveness, as Peter had urged him to do..he felt so incapable of praying, so distrustful of his own prayers, that he asked Peter to pray for him instead.' (p. 151) I have to reject the above view: (a) Simon isn't rejecting the rebuke or feeling that he doesn't have to pray, rather, he is desiring the prayers of Peter and John on his behalf (along with his own praying). We would say the same thing, 'Pray for me too!' (b) Notice that he wanted salvation. (c) He definitely believed that Peter's assessment of the situation was true.

'YE'-Addressed to Peter and John.

Point to Note:

This is the last time we hear about Simon in the Bible. A tremendous amount of human tradition is written concerning what he did after this event (see the various reference works). We aren't told if he was successful in living the Christian life or not. If he was able to survive without being "some great one" or not. And that's the way it should be. For all of us are like Simon. Each one of us holds our own eternal fate in our own hands. And whether we can survive, succeed, and find happiness and contentment in following God's way of living and thinking, will depend upon whether we believe that God is good and that God always has our best interest at heart.

Acts 8:25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

'THEY'-Peter and John preached for some length of time in this region. This period of time was probably used to strengthen the new converts here, as Paul did when a new congregation was established (Acts 14:22)

'PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO MANY VILLAGES OF THE SAMARITANS'-'On their return to Jerusalem, they travelled more at leisure, and preached to many villages and towns.' (Reese p. 329)


CLOSING OBSERVATION:

Almost 1000 years of hatred had existed between the Jews and Samaritans. But in one preaching trip, both Jew and Samaritan find peace with God and each other in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-16; Galatians 3:28). God doesn't buy the human excuse that we need different religions, faith's or religious bodies for different cultures. Anyone who argues that it is impossible for people from different cultures to agree on what the Bible teaches, automatically has placed themselves as any enemy of the gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15).



1     'Palsy'. Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia Of The Bible. p. 587.