The Book of Acts ~ Study Thirty-Two

"Take the Weight Off"


Acts 8:9-25 (NLT) A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
   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. 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.
   When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
   When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
   But Peter replied, “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 and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
    “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
   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. 


As Philip continues to preach in Samaria many come to know Jesus and are baptized in the faith. Along with these people a popular sorcerer/wizard/magician listened to the words of Philip and saw the miracles. He too was baptized. For some reason the indwelling of the Holy Spirit didn't take place at the point of their accepting Jesus. The Apostles Peter and John came to Samaria to see for themselves that the Samaritans really came to faith in Jesus. They laid their hands on them and the Holy Spirit came into each believers' lives.


It is every believers gift to receive the Holy Spirit, so why didn't these Samaritans receive it at the point of their belief? Can you think of any reason?


This really confused me too so I did some research and read the IVP New Testament Commentary and found a very plausible explanation. The delay in the gift of the Holy Spirit was distinct in this situation only. Remember the animosity that dwelt between the Jews and the Samaritans? Well, God knew of this and He knew that by having the Apostles come and lay hands on the previously unclean meant that the barrier had been broken and reconciliation had occurred. God wanted the Gentile believers and the Jewish believers to accept one another as part of the Church of Christ. 


So what's up with Simon the Sorcerer? Why did he follow Philip around like a puppy? What did he want from him and the Apostles?


Again the IVP New Testament Commentary helped me out. It explained that Simon was still so steeped in his old beliefs and ways of "magic" that he couldn't fully grasp the whole meaning of being a believer. He wanted to "buy" the gift of the Holy Spirit so he could use it to his benefit and popularity. In those days, it was not uncommon to pay for the right to be a "priest". Simon knew this and wanted the political renown of being a priest for this new religion. Of course Peter rebuked Simon. Whether out of fear or disbelief he wanted Peter to pray for him. We don't know whether he repented or not. All we know is that Simon is left with a decision to make ~ to follow Jesus fully or hang back in the middle somewhere between his old life and the one Jesus had called him.


We can learn a lot from this story of Simon the Sorcerer. He held onto his old ways of magic and paganism. He liked what he saw in Philip and Peter and wanted it but didn't want to let go of what he believed in his old life.


Ephesians 4:21-23 (NLT) Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.


It's so important that we "throw off our old sinful nature and our former ways of life" and grab hold of Jesus so completely that all we are hanging onto is Him. Sometimes we don't see that we are hanging onto things that keep us in bondage. For instance, we may not have forgiven someone. We may still be reading our horoscopes in the paper everyday. Or, we may have crystals and angels we keep for good luck. These things that seem harmless to us are really dangerous and keep us from knowing Jesus fully.


What things are you holding onto? Did you realize they were harmful? Take this time to ask the Lord what are the things in your life you need to let go of. 


Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 


What is weighing you down? What are you still clinging to that keeps you from running to Jesus? Let's strip this dead weight off and run in the true freedom found in Jesus.