Acts 8:13

[webdog]

Act 8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
Act 8:15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
Act 8:16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Act 8:22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
Act 8:23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

Act 8:24 And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

Do you think Simon was a true believer or not? I have read commentaries going both ways, and I'm on the fence. Wondering what your opinion is...

 

[canadyjd]

Do you think Simon was a true believer or not? I have read commentaries going both ways, and I'm on the fence. Wondering what your opinion is...

Based on Peter's comments that he has no portion or lot with the Holy Spirit and that his heart is not right with God, and that Simon asked Peter to pray to God instead of doing what he was told (repent and pray to the Lord himself), I'd say he was not saved.

peace to youraying:

 

[Marcia]

I can see both views, but I think he was saved. The reason I say this is because I did a study of the word "believes(d)" in Acts and every time it's used -- "they believed," "he believed," etc. - it meant the person was saved. Since Acts 8:13 says that Simon "believed," I think he did.

It could be that what God is showing us here is how some who believe can easily be be tempted by power or greed. If it weren't for verse 13 and all the other examples of the use of that word in Acts, I would say he wasn't saved. But because of verse 13, I think he was.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Agree with Marcia. "Believe" is shorthand in the NT for the whole package we call "salvation" (it is explained and added to, but faith is the core of all activity that the regenerated heart can do).

Sin in the early church is an accurate reflection of sin in the church today. Ananias lied to God and was stricken down, but nowhere does it imply that he lost his salvation. There was just physical judgment as well as spiritual consequences for sin, ESPECIALLY willful sin.

"For this cause (abuse of the Love Feast at the Lord's Table) many are weak and sick among you - believers - and some are dead."

A sheep is a sheep is a sheep. Prone to wander like Simon? Thankfully not too many.

 

[Rippon]

A sheep is a sheep is a sheep. Prone to wander like Simon? Thankfully not too many.

That reminded me of the hymn Come Thou Fount by Robert Robinson.He wrote that in his early 20's. There is that significant line :"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it -- prone to leave the God I love."

Yet he did seem to wander from the faith.He became friends with the infamous Unitarian -- Joseph Priestly.

Supposedly,in later life he said that he was "the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them,to enjoy the feelings I had then."

 

[Allan]

Based on Peter's comments that he has no portion or lot with the Holy Spirit and that his heart is not right with God, and that Simon asked Peter to pray to God instead of doing what he was told (repent and pray to the Lord himself), I'd say he was not saved.

peace to youraying:

On this issue JD, it appears we both agree.

I can see why some may state he is saved but the inspired word of God reflects the Spirits knowledge on the matter through Peters words and not just what Peter presumed.

 

[rjprince]

The words Peter spoke to Simon were hardly any more intense than the words that Jesus spoke to Peter...

Mt 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mr 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

I think he was saved. Though you can find some instances in the gospels of those who "believed" with a less than saving faith, don't think you can find such a use after the cross.

 

[TCGreek]

Simon has cast his spell on us.

 

[Allan]

Simon has cast his spell on us.

I have notice of late that many of your posting are much like a puzzle, wrapped in a riddle, and clothed in an enigma :smilewinkgrin: (did I say that is quite impressive)

Now, what does your statement mean

 

[Rippon]

I have notice of late that many of your posting are much like a puzzle, wrapped in a riddle, and clothed in an enigma :smilewinkgrin: (did I say that is quite impressive)

Now, what does your statement mean

For once I am in complete agreement with Allan on this one. He took the words right out of my mouth.

TCG,your posts are so mysterious.They are so open-ended.They are hard to decipher.Do you purposely intend them that way? I can't make heads or tails out of your pithy sayings. No offense intended.

 

[TCGreek]

For once I am in complete agreement with Allan on this one. He took the words right out of my mouth.

TCG,your posts are so mysterious.They are so open-ended.They are hard to decipher.Do you purposely intend them that way? I can't make heads or tails out of your pithy sayings. No offense intended.

Allan and Rippon,

I'm playing off the fact that Simon was known as a sorcerer, hence "he cast his spell."

We're trying to figure out whether he was really saved.

The whole issue challenges our belief in the eternal security of the believer and so on.

He has cast his spell on us. :thumbs:

 

[swaimj]

Boy, Peter's words sure make it sound as though Simon is not a believer. However, consider Simon's response:

Act 8:24 And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

He appears to respond to the rebuke with conviction that he is wrong and concern for his own soul. Any believer can fall into any sin. However, true believers are sensitive to their sin when confronted. Since Simon seems sensitive, I think he was truly saved. IMHO

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Boy, Peter's words sure make it sound as though Simon is not a believer. However, consider Simon's response:
He appears to respond to the rebuke with conviction that he is wrong and concern for his own soul. Any believer can fall into any sin. However, true believers are sensitive to their sin when confronted. Since Simon seems sensitive, I think he was truly saved. IMHO

According to Eusibius. He created a cult and had a statue built of himself on the tiber.

 

[swaimj]

Sounds like he was the first emergent! :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Robert Snow]

Boy, Peter's words sure make it sound as though Simon is not a believer. However, consider Simon's response:
He appears to respond to the rebuke with conviction that he is wrong and concern for his own soul. Any believer can fall into any sin. However, true believers are sensitive to their sin when confronted. Since Simon seems sensitive, I think he was truly saved. IMHO

Remember, Jesus said to Peter, "Get thou behind me Satan." Surely we all believe Peter was saved.

I tend to believe that Simon was saved, just ignorant and selfish and maybe a little bit proud. I think Peter was saying that, at that moment, Simon was action outside of the Holy Spirit's influence. Just my two cents worth.

 

[OldRegular]

Act 8:23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

I don't believe he was saved. He was like the first three in the parable of the sower.