From Acts to Revelation
Part 20 – In Depths of
Sin II
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House
of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
INTRODUCTION
Today
in scripture, we will see that just because one “accepts” the Word as Truth,
and the teachings of Christ, and is “Baptized” into Christ, does not mean that
A) You receive the power of the Holy Spirit, nor B) Your heart is right with
God and you have Salvation.
Simon
is our example today, as he accepts the Apostle’s teachings, becomes baptized,
and follows the Apostle and Disciples around, yet, as we find out, his heart
unchanged, he has no part in the ministry because he is full of bitterness and
captive to sin.
SCRIPTURE
REFERENCE
Acts
8:9-25 Simon the Sorcerer
9 Now for some time
a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people
of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the
people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is
the divine power known as the Great Power.” 11 They followed him
because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But
when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13
Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere,
astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15
When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy
Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of
them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given
at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19
and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands
may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with
you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21
You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right
before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.
Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23
For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me
so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25 When they had
testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to
Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
Have you accepted the Word of God, and
been Baptized into Christ?
How is your heart today? Has there been
a change in your life, or are you still held captive to your sin?
Up
to this point in the Book of Acts, we have seen;
†
Stephen
is stoned to death
†
Saul
Approved of Stoning—he was unknowingly in sin
†
The
Disciples spread Christ through Samaria and Judaea
†
The
Apostle Philip went to Samaria to proclaim Christ; perhaps because they were
slow to believe the Disciples, they needed an Apostle to show the signs,
wonders and miracles to prove the authority of what Christ taught was from God.
II.
ON THE BANDWAGON
a.
After the
Sanhedrin murdered Stephen for preaching Christ, the Disciples scattered
throughout Judaea and Samaria, preaching the Gospel everywhere they went.
b.
The Apostle Philip
had to travel to Samaria and show signs, wonders and miracles, perhaps because
the people did not accept the Disciples teachings. The signs, wonders and
miracles that the Apostles displayed, proved that the message they brought of
Christ was approved and authorized by God.
i.
We see from
scripture that one of the reasons people were not accepting the teachings of
Christ, was because of a sorcerer named Simon, who boasted of himself, and his
powers.
ii.
He had amazed the
people of Samaria into following him, and believing that he was the divine
power.
c.
So the teachings
by the Disciples fell on deaf ears.
d.
Until the Apostle
Philip came, and preached Christ, and displayed powers, signs, wonders and
healings that proved his authority was of God.
i.
Then we see many
accepted the teaching, and were baptized, even Simon accepted the Word and was
Baptized.
III.
STEP 2 OF SALVATION—THE HOLY SPIRIT
a.
We now see a second part of Salvation
taking place here.
b.
One can “accept” the Word and teaching of
Christ as TRUTH, and one can even be baptized, but, these actions do not “SAVE”
i.
Why doesn’t believing the Word is true
save you?
1)
James
2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the
demons believe that—and shudder.”
2)
James tells us that there is more to it
than just believing something is true…we must live out our faith, showing deeds
that reflect our belief.
ii.
Why doesn’t being baptized save you?
1)
Because, baptism is an Outward-Expression
of a Spiritual-Truth.
2)
I Peter
3:21 “and this water symbolizes baptism that now
saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good
conscience toward God.”
3)
You can “DO” the expression, without
“HAVING” the Spiritual-Truth.
4)
Just like drinking a cup of wine and
eating a piece of bread does not mean you are part of the New Covenant in
Christ…If the Spiritual-Truth of your submitting to the Lord has not taken
place in your heart first, you are simply eating bread and drinking a cup of
wine.
5)
This is true of baptism as well, if you
have not submitted to the Lord and His teaching, “The Narrow Path”, then no
change has taken place in your Spirit, and you are just dunking in a swimming
pool. The water itself does not wash your spirit clean, but is meant to
represent you being made clean by God.
c.
So two more Apostles come from Jerusalem to
explain the Holy Spirit
i.
Peter and John come and prayed that they
would receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not come yet, and
they had simply been baptized into Christ.
ii.
Most of them were now saved, accepting
Christ as Truth, and being baptized, while truly submitting themselves to the
Lord. However, they could NOT serve the Lord, because they had not yet received
the power of the Holy Spirit.
iii.
So the Apostles prayed, and they
received the Holy Spirit…most of them.
IV.FALLING
OFF THE BANDWAGON
a. Simon,
accepted the teachings, baptized in the name of Jesus, but still in sin
i. He followed the group around, yet was not really
part of it.
ii. You can go to church your entire life, and may not
be saved because, though you accepted it was the truth, and though you may be
baptized, unless you have submitted yourself to the Lord, your heart may still
be following your old sin.
iii. Simon, at the first opportunity to gain his power
and notoriety back, his old life, he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.
1) Sometimes, we fall back into old habits
2) Sometimes, we want to get right with the Lord, but
at the first opportunity, we go back to living our old lives.
iv. THIS SHOULD NOT BE!
1) This is a “Choice” we make, and we will be held
accountable for this sin.
2) When we submit to the Lord, he makes us a NEW
CREATURE, and a NEW CREATION! The
scriptures tell us the OLD has passed away!
3) STOP bringing your Old Dead Self back to life!
b. Peter
answers Simon’s request to buy the power of God
i.
“May your money perish with you, because you thought
you could buy the gift of God with money!”
ii.
You can never own, or control God or His
Holy Spirit.
iii.
He is water, wind, going where He
pleases.
c. Peter
continues…
i.
You have no part or share in this ministry, because
your heart is not right before God.
ii.
How did Peter know this?
1)
Wasn’t Simon accepting the Word, wasn’t
he baptized?
2)
BUT, his actions (deeds, works)
reflected his heart, which was still corrupt, un-repentant, and non-submissive
to the Lord.
3)
He was full of bitterness (because he
was not the man of power in the town any more)
4)
He was captive to his sin, because it
was controlling his actions and words…
5)
His sin was evident.
iii.
Peter gives him the answer to his
dilemma.
1) Repent of this wickedness and pray
to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.
23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive
to sin.
d. WHAT ABOUT YOU TODAY?
CONCLUSION
Like
Simon, have you heard the Gospel and accepted it as Truth?
Have
you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?
Now
what about your heart? Have you submitted to the Lord and become a NEW
CREATION? Has there been a change in you since you turned to the Lord?
Or,
are your actions, deeds, works, reflecting what is truly ruling your heart?
Jesus
tells us, we cannot serve two masters.
Look
at your life today, and ask yourself, who is my master?
If
you are not sure, simply look at your life, listen to your words, look at your
actions and deeds, it will reveal your heart.
Are
you decisions in life based on following Christ, or your own selfish desires?
Simon
thought he had it right, he said the words, did the baptism, and yet, was on
the broad path that leads to destruction.
Ask
yourself right now, “Am I on the narrow path?”
Until
you are, you cannot receive the power of the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord,
but more so, until you are, you will not have Salvation, but a false sense of
hope.
Do
not think for a second that God makes provision for those who are unwilling to
submit to Him.
God
has laid out the plan, paid your admission, and it is up to you to respond
properly to His message.
Don’t
just say the words, and be baptized, but submit in your heart to the only one
who can save you in this present and evil age.
If
you are struggling with sin ruling your heart, come forward for prayer.