22. The Gift of God

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Hymns: RHC 318 Blessed Assurance 335 Keep On Believing 243 The Comforter Has Come

Acts 8:14-25

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

The Gift of God

OUTLINE

  • Freely Given by the Holy Spirit (v14-17)
  • Cannot Be Bought With Money (v18-25)

INTRODUCTION

The Gift of God – Acts 8:14-25. God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ comes when there is genuine repentance, a forsaking of sin and a turning to God. When a sinner repents of his sins, he is forgiven because he believed Jesus Christ has taken the penalty of sin on his behalf on the cross.

There is a transformation that takes place beginning in the heart resulting in obedience to God’s Word. The old life is crucified with Christ on the cross. This was the Apostle Paul’s testimony of his conversion:

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Genuine faith will cause a person to love God’s law and thus to obey it. His devotion is fully turned towards God and he loves God sincerely. He loves to keep the Sabbath holy, to come to God’s house for worship and to pray. He makes heart preparation for worship. He honours his father and mother. He loves others as he loves himself. He fears God and keeps His commandments. He understands God’s laws when it is taught him because the Holy Spirit that indwells him gives him understanding of spiritual things. 

There is obedience and not defiance to God’s Word. There is a hunger and thirst to live right with God. Holiness characterises the child of God. He greatly detests sin and seeks to keep himself pure for the Lord. 

There is spiritual fruit, spiritual life and spiritual progress because the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer does an on-going purifying work. 

However, there are also those that confess the Lord outwardly, willing to pray the sinner’s prayer but there is no true conversion of the heart. There is no spiritual fruit that proves a genuine conversion. In the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13, Jesus tells us that in the local church, there is a mix multitude of true and counterfeit believers. On the surface, outwardly there is a profession but inwardly there is no true faith. You will find a mixture of true and false believers and you can’t really tell or distinguish them.

In an earlier parable in Matthew 13, the parable of the sower, we see a farmer sowing good seed on the ground. The sower cannot give life. He can scatter the seed but he cannot command it to grow. We can offer the Word of truth to people, but we cannot make them receive it and bear fruit. It is the Spirit that gives life. 

Jesus explains that whether the seed will bear fruit depends largely upon the soil in which it is planted. Jesus explained that the soil represents the human heart. Indeed, a man is made from the earth. We see so far how God’s Word is seed and our hearts is soil, our heart responds to God’s Word. The emphasis of this parable is really on the heart or the soil, the response of the heart to the Word of God.

Jesus explained that the world, ruled by Satan — the prince of this world, competes to nullify God’s Word in the hearts of the hearers. Some seeds fell by the wayside and were devoured by the birds—there was no opportunity for them to germinate (Mark 4:15). Some fell on stony ground. The seeds grew into young plants but having no depth of root and not being able to withstand the scorching sun, they died. Although sunlight is paramount to the growth of the plant but if its roots fall on rocky soil, the plant has not strong root system.

These hearers may have a semblance of spiritual life but when affliction or persecution arises, they choose to reject the Word, having no true faith. The Bible says, “they are offended” (Mark 4:17). 

Yet other seeds fell on thorny ground where weeds so deprived the young plants (that grow subsequently) of their nutrients, causing them to die. The verb “choke” means “to crowd out”. The potency of the world to “suffocate” a man’s heart is very real. The present tense of this verb in the original suggests a continual bondage that these thorns impose on the hearers to render them inept to receive the truth. And these thorns, Jesus told us, are the (1) cares of the world (worry) (2) deceitfulness of riches (greed) and (3) lust of other things. The repeated use (4 times) of the conjunction “and” in Mark 4:19 emphasizes the constant bombardment of these ungodly pursuits that prevent the hearer from receiving the Word of God and bearing fruit. 

In our text, we want to observe the man Simon whom we mentioned last week to professed faith when the gospel is preached by Philip the deacon and was even baptised by Philip and followed him on hindsight, a counterfeit. In verse 13 of Acts 8, we saw Luke recording that Simon the sorcerer “himself believed and when he was baptised, he continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

Taking the plain sense of the Scripture here at face value, Simon seemed to have believed and was saved also as some conservative commentators believed. But if we were to examine the text carefully in these latter verses other conservative commentators believed he is not saved because he showed himself not a true believer by his wish to buy the power to lay hands on people so they would receive the Holy Spirit. Luke gives us reason to doubt the sincerity of his convictions as we examine his conversation with Peter. When he was told to repent, instead of repenting, he asked Peter to pray for him. There is observed no fruit of repentance in Simon’s response. I tend to agree with this view because the word “believe” that is used in the New Testament does not always mean genuine believers in John 2:22-23. Jesus Himself saw through the hearts of those who outward profess faith but are not genuinely saved whose faith are based only on sings and wonders. 

John 2:21-25 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. 23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

When Philip preached the gospel and there was a revival in Samaria, the Apostles in Jerusalem had a proper concern about the great revival. He was after all a deacon, how well was the word of God taught? So these men, the specially trained Apostles of Christ, sent Peter and John, to see the work and to publicly approved it and to add help they could assess the manifestation of the gift of salvation upon those in Samaria.

Two thoughts:

  • Freely Given by the Holy Spirit (v14-17)
  • Cannot Be Bought With Money (v18-25)

(1) Freely Given by the Holy Spirit (v14-17)

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 

The Samaritans were despised by the Jews and so news of their conversion must have caused a stir in Jerusalem and the Apostles who were the leaders of the church sent a team to confirm the news. 

This is not a passage to argue that believers can be saved without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is rather a unique situation in the history of the infant church to affirm that salvation has come to the non-Jews, the half-breed Jews and then later in Acts 10, the salvation of Cornelius and his family, the first gentile convert.

Recall, Jesus said Peter is given the keys of the kingdom, he would unlock or affirm the coming of God’s grace upon the gentiles when he in laying hands on these converts, and the filling of the Holy Spirit on these believers, confirm their conversion that the gospel has indeed come to Samaria as Jesus promised when the Holy Spirit power is manifested in Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The fruitful heart is good ground, good soil. The heart is basically sinful. The heart that is sanctified by God’s grace and produces fruit. The Honest and Good Heart – In the origin both has the meaning of good but there is a shade of difference.

Honest – Healthy Sound and Fit

Good – The moral character of persons good, upright, worthy.

The evidence of hearing the Word rightly is spiritual fruit. The fruit here is spoken to refer to the fruit of the Spirit. Repentance toward God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ, holiness of life and character, prayerfulness, humility, charity, spiritual mindedness, these are the only satisfactory proofs that the seed of God’s Word is doing its proper work in our souls.

Without such fruit, our religion is vain. If a Christian neglects the cultivation of his heart, the soil will start to deteriorate. The good soil will become crowded soil. The weeds will sap the strength from the soil and it will become useless.

The secret of a fruitful heart is a listening ear. Jesus says He that hath an ear, let him hear. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God!

Peter and John examined the new believers in Samaria finding them genuine. It is interesting to observe that no hands were laid upon Simon.

In Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church, we use the King James Bible because it is the most faith and accurate translation of God’s Word in the English language. It is the translated word for word from the preserved God in the original language of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. We do not use modern versions of the Bible because as much as 9900 words are missing just in the New Testament equivalent to 1 and 2 Peter. We endeavour to sow the pure Word of God after the spirit of the Reformers not in the tradition of the Church or the doctrines of men that was the case with the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ time. Without sowing good seed, the sower’s labour will be vain. He may go to and fro and seem to say much, and to do much, but there will be no harvest of souls in heaven, no living results and no conversions. We acknowledge that the success of the sower does not solely depend upon his labour and diligence, although without labour and diligence success will not be obtained. 

It is interesting to observe the verb “had received” in verse 14.

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

The tense of the word is what we call the “perfect tense” in the Greek. It signifies a complete action. And it represents a present state resulting from a past action. When the gospel was preached, the people were saved having received the word and there is a enduring nature to that salvation. It describes a genuine reception with an enduring result.

Salvation is a free gift from God when we are willing to receive the word by humbling ourselves to repent of our sins! 

Ephesians 2:8-22 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

It is all by God’s grace, His unmerited favour, a free gift. We cannot boast anything of ourselves to earn our salvation.

(2) Cannot Be Bought With Money (v18-25)

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 

Simon wanted this power for himself, consistent with his function as a magician. Simon wants to purchase the ability to bestow the Spirit on people, presumably he can charge people for the gift. It is from this text and this historical figure Simon that we have the English term “simony” coined to refer to the buying or selling of a church office.

Simon wished to have at his disposal the power that Philip displayed when he healed the sick and cast out demons. When the Apostles from Jerusalem placed their hands on the Samaritans, they then received the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit.

And the fact that he was by-passed because of his lack of genuine faith does not occur to him.

In his earlier days, Simon had obtained magical formulas from other practitioners by paying them certain sums of money. And he charged the people fees for the services that he rendered. And so he approached Peter and John as agents of the Holy Spirit and offer them money.

If he is able to purchase this supernatural power, he will rise to even greater heights than he achieved before his professed conversion to the Christian faith. 

Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Notice in hindsight, Simon could simply be enthralled by the power to wrought signs and wonders as Jesus said in John 2:23-24 without genuine conversion.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 

Believers who receive spiritual benefits are not charged and do not pay for them, because Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). This is in harmony with the Old Testament example of Elisha, who refused to accept a gift for healing Naaman from leprosy. But his servant, Gehazi, who took money and clothes from Naaman, contracted leprosy—punishment for his greed.

2 Kings 5:15-16 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

2 Kings 5:23-27 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. 24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. 25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. 26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Similarly, Simon approaches spiritual matters from a commercial point of view and thus hears Peter pronounce a curse over him.[1]

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 

Peter excludes Simon completely from the Christian community by saying that Simon has neither part nor lot in receiving the Holy Spirit. If Simon had part or lot in this matter, he would not have to ask for it. 

The word part points to partnership and the term lot to ownership. The words are an idiom that was well known to the Levites, because they had no share or inheritance in the real estate of Israel. Simon the sorcerer, however, has no share or lot in the Lord (contrast Isa. 57:6). 

He is completely unqualified to receive the Holy Spirit and to become a teacher of the Good News. The words “this matter” refer to the work of teaching and preaching Christ’s gospel.

Why is Simon excluded? With spiritual discernment Peter looks at Simon and says, “Your heart is not right before God.” Peter is actually quoting from Psalm 78:37, where the psalmist records the unfaithfulness of the rebellious Israelites who perished in the desert. 

Psalm 78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Peter looks at the wellspring of Simon’s life and knows that spiritually Simon is serving not God but himself. There is only one way to effect a change in this condition and that is to repent. By implication, Simon’s earlier confession of faith and subsequent baptism (v13) are meaningless because of this unrepentant heart.[2]

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 

Comparing the account about Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11) with that about Simon the sorcerer, we see a number of differences. Ananias and Sapphira were Jewish Christians who professed to know the Lord and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

They belonged to the true Israel; they were baptized and instructed in the faith by the apostles. They sinned against the Holy Spirit by purposely deceiving and testing him. So God took the lives of Ananias and Sapphira as a sign of his displeasure but also as a measure to keep the early church pure.

Conversely, Simon was a Samaritan who made a verbal confession of faith but whose heart was not right with God. He did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Formerly he had been the sorcerer known as “the power of God,” but now, after observing Philip’s miracles, joined the believers. Simon grievously sinned against God by desiring to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit. Although Peter pronounced a curse on Simon, he also showed him the way of deliverance. Hence, we conclude that Simon sinned in ignorance because he had never been set free from the bondage of wickedness. His was not the sin against the Holy Spirit.

Condition. “Repent, then, of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord.” Peter gives Simon the opportunity to repent. He tells him to repent and ask the Lord to forgive him. Notice that Peter does not forgive his sin, even though Jesus gave him the authority to do so (John 20:23). 

He directs Simon to petition the Lord for remission of sin. “The apostles themselves referred the forgiveness of sins to, and left it in, the sovereign power of God, and not to their own delegated power of absolution.” 

Peter advises Simon to repent and ask the Lord to remove his sin and the curse Peter has pronounced upon Simon.

“If possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” Peter prefaces his suggestion to find remission of sin with the phrase if possible. This conditional statement relates not to God’s ability to forgive sin but to Simon’s willingness to repent. Simon has to cleanse his heart from the intent to buy the gift of the Spirit, and he has to change the course of his life to be in harmony with God.[3]

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 

Instead of repenting, he asked Peter to pray for him showing no sincere repentance.

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

CONCLUSION

  • Freely Given by the Holy Spirit (v14-17)
  • Cannot Be Bought With Money (v18-25)

[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (305). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (305). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (306). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.