January 14, 2012

Acts 8:1-25 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 5:33-42, Psalm 11, Genesis 23

Journal Entry

Scripture

Acts 8:17-24:
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Observation

In Acts 8:9-25, we encounter an exchange between Simon the magician with Philip, Peter and John. We do not know much about him besides being a popular magician from Samaria. However, Simon's true intention to believe and the reason for his belief is revealed when he is confronted with the true intention of his heart. Here is an outline of Simon's journey as a skeptic to a believer to the confrontation of his true self:

Simon the Magician,
-Simon is a magician who practiced magic in the city of Samaria. He called himself "Great" (vv.9-10).
-Simon heard of Philip who also peformed miracles and was amazed. Simon himself believed and was baptized (vv. 12-13).
-Simon witnessed the moving of the Spirit through the laying on of the apostles hands (v.18).
-Simon sought to exchange this power with money (v.18).
-Peter rebukes the condition of Simon's heart (vv. 20-22).
-Simon answers this rebuke by asking the apostles, "pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me" (v. 24).

There is something troubling about Simon's journey. He begins his "spiritual" journey as an inquirer to becoming a believer only to be rebuked for the true matters of his false belief. We are not sure whether Simon's conversion was genuine to begin with, however it is clear of his intention in vv. 18-19 when he offered the apostles money in exchange for the power of the Holy Spirit. Simon's repentance in v. 24 is also unclear because he sought prayer against something bad that may come upon him. He seeks protection upon his life against God's judgement.

Application

It must have killed Simon's ego when he went from being called "Great" (v.10) to "wicked" (v.22). And yet, the phrase, "the proof is in the pudding" rings true in his situation. The quality of his heart was uncertain until his heart was tested to expose his true intentions. I am reminded from this passage that the moving of the Holy Spirit is powerful. I believe that when the Spirit was given through the laying of hands by the apostles, it simultaneously revealed Simon's heart. The Spirit played a great role in revealing the truth of Simon's heart.

I love and hate it when the Holy Spirit convicts me of my true intentions. I feel trapped, I feel guilty, overwhelmed and frightened. And my prayer of repentance sometimes sound like that of Simon, seeking and hoping nothing bad will come upon me. But I continue to ask God to reveal my heart, to reveal my true intentions and that the Holy Spirit would play a vital role in that conviction.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I pray you'll ALWAYS convict my heart. That you would always reveal the truth of my intentions. And whether that conviction is based on good or bad intentions, I pray your Spirit will play a vital role of revealing my heart. May my heart always be aligned to yours,

In Jesus Name,

Amen

--P. Caleb