American Sunday School Times Acts 8:9-24 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria… The phases of human conduct do little more than repeat themselves along the ages. "There is nothing new under the sun." Dugald Stewart remarks, "In reflecting on the repeated reproduction of ancient paradoxes by modern authors, one is almost tempted to suppose that human invention is limited, like a barrel-organ, to a specific number of tunes." A period of deep religious and emotional feeling is always apt to be accompanied by a superstitious and mystical craving. Stephen's martyrdom brings to light two typical characters at once; Saul with harassing persecutions, and Simon with delusions calculated to deceive even the elect, and the spurious professor was more dangerous than the violent foe. Note from the story that — I. MERE WORKING OF WONDERS DOES NOT PROVE THAT A MAN COMES FROM GOD. For the marvellous performances may not be miracles at all. In every age founders of religious systems have attempted what silly people have accepted as veritable interpositions of God. Human credulity is swift to assert that what is mysterious is divine. So fortune-tellers, spiritualists, necromancers, and quacks have swayed men and led women captive. II. MIRACLES ARE AT THE BEST ONLY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. Of themselves, they never converted a soul. The genuine wonders wrought by Philip mocked this magician; as in Moses' time, there was one supreme limit beyond which no human sleight of hand could go. Simon astonished, but Philip healed. So they left the impostor and went over to the Christian deacon in a body (ver. 12). Not that Philip was more eloquent or persuasive than Simon; not that his miracles stirred them more; but Philip preached Christ. Marvels arrest the mind, and that is in demand when audiences are dull;: but it is the Spirit of grace only who touches the heart. How curious it must have appeared to those spiritually-minded converts that Simon Magus at last came over into the Church. III. THE BEST METHOD IN DEALING WITH ERROR IS TO PROCLAIM THE TRUTH, AND LEAVE RESULTS TO GOD. We are to advance the banner of Jesus Christ right out into the field brightly as if we trusted it, and most opponents will melt away before the mere marching of God's host, without even a skirmish (ver. 13). IV. IT IS GENERALLY PRUDENT TO WAIT FOR A LITTLE BEFORE ADMITTING UNTESTED PERSONS INTO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. It is a most interesting question, to be decided according to individual and local circumstances, how long one is to be delayed in ascertaining his own mind before he becomes publicly committed. These incidents are worth study in our modern times; for if the apostles could be deceived, it is possible for Church officers now. V. GROWTH IN SPIRITUAL GRACES RENDERS ONE MORE GENTLE IN FEELING AND MORE CHARITABLE TO OTHERS (vers. 14, 15). The apostolic company at Jerusalem were glad to hear what the Lord was doing, and Peter and John went over to the scene of action, and began to pray that God would bestow the gift of His Spirit. We cannot forget that the last wish of John's concerning the Samaritans was that fire might fall on them (Luke 9:52-56). He was older now, and kinder, and gentler. VI. ORDER OUGHT TO BE OBSERVED IN THE OFFICIAL ORGANISATION OF THE CHURCH (ver. 17). These little significant forms are not to be lightly esteemed. The people had received that gift of the Holy Ghost by which their hearts had been renewed; but not the extraordinary gift by which they could work miracles. There was no physical transmission of anything in this laying on of hands; it was a mere sign. And it is not likely that all converted persons in Samaria were endowed with this superior gift; some discrimination must have been made according to fitnesses of character or grades of office (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). VII. EVERY SIN HAS ITS MEASURE OF DESERVED RETRIBUTION, AND MEETS ITS APPROPRIATE MONUMENT (vers. 18-20). This hypocrite's fate it has been to add a new word to our language; so, everywhere the Bible goes, that wicked thing which he did is held in everlasting remembrance. VIII. THE ESSENCE OF A SIN RESIDES IN THE INTENTION: (ver. 22). Solemn admonition is given in the intimation that a wicked man is held responsible for his "thought" (Isaiah 55:7). Peter's expression would look like a curse, if it were not for the suggestion that repentance and prayer might yet find the door open for pardon. IX. PROFESSION OF RELIGION IS NOT REAL PIETY. (American Sunday School Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: |
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