One of the fearful things in Scripture that people can believe they are saved but yet be lost. You can fake the fire. It is like an entrance to hell right beside the entrance to heaven. They give it head knowledge but there is no heart knowledge. Simon appears to be a genuine believer but he is not. Simon is with Philip and is baptised, yet he is not saved.

1 – The pride of Simon (vs. 9)

Simon had used sorcery and was seen as a “great one”. He had been bewitching the people for some time. He enjoyed the attention of the people on himself. He had the people dazzled. He did this through magic. Simon wants to mimic the disciples as they are getting the people’s attention through miracles. Satan has always been God’s ape. Satan is a copycat. Simon thinks he is someone important. He is full of pride. The Bible has a lot to say about pride. See Galatians 6:3 & James 4:6. God resists the proud person and gives grace to the humble.

2 – The popularity of Simon (vs. 10-11)

Simon was popular in the whole city. The majority is not always right. The people wanted “magic tricks” and Simon gave them what they wanted to see. Are you looking for the sensational? Faith does not need signs and wonders.

3 – The profession of Simon (vs. 12-17)

Simon’s fakery could not touch Philip’s fire. The people believed when Philip preached the Gospel. They believed in the message not the miracles. If your faith is based on miracles then you will need to experience more miracles to keep your faith in Christ. Faith needs to be based on the message of the Word of God. Philip’s message made Simon’s bag of tricks look old and tired. The people are getting the real thing now! Simon’s thinking is “If I can’t beat them, I’ll join them”. Simon’s faith is based on the miracles rather than the message. Simon wants to know how to do what Philip is doing. If you are saved show some signs! Real faith shows itself by its actions.

4 – The perversion of Simon (vs. 18-19)

When Simon saw the miracles he offered money to the Apostles. He wanted to know how to do it. Does it sound like he is really saved? Nothing God has is for sale! Simon was faking the fire. It was all for himself. He is unveiled as a fraud. Do you think you can buy from of God? Judas had a price for Jesus – it was thirty pieces of silver. You do not need money to buy from God. He is not for sale, it is free.

5 – The punishment of Simon (vs. 20-23)

Peter was mad! What Peter said literally was, “to hell with you and your money!” What a message! You cannot buy the gift of God. You and your money will go straight to hell. Peter recognises that Simon’s heart is not right before God. Peter recognises that Simon is being imprisoned by his own sin. See Proverbs 5:22.

6 – The plea of Simon (vs. 24)

Simon wants Peter to pray to the Lord for him. He does not repent for his sin! He is sorry but it is not a godly sorrow. A godly sorrow brings repentance. Worldly sorrow brings death. There is only one kind of sorrow that will change you is the one that feels the fire and does not fake the fire.

Categories: Acts