Act 8:13-24 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
The Samaritans had formed an illegitimate religion born out of the influence of their half-breed ancestry and the stubborn prejudices of the Jews. The region had proclaimed its own holy mountain and temple sites in response to the shunning of the pure blood Jews. The region had adapted into this worship system the sensual and humanistic aspects the Assyrians. In fact they had taken the true aspects of Judaism and used them as a covering to hide the paganism structure of their religion. This is why the woman at the well could speak in the religious ballpark with Jesus and still be so worldly minded as to not hear His message of "spirit and truth." Move forward a few years and come to the scene of the above text.
The Samaritans would have accepted this welcomed break from a religion with so many Jewish overtones. They would have taken Christianity as it was being presented and twisted it around the sensual and ungodly worship system they had already developed. This would have been the first denominational split in church history. Therefore, God in His sovereign judgment with held the Spirit from them. Rather He sent Peter and John to them. These icons of Christianity and recognition to Christ would be the ones to maintain unity. These men, unlike Phillip, had no ties to Grecian Judaism but would have been seen as pure Jews in the minds of the Samaritans. So when they pray and lay hands on the Samaritans and God pours His Spirit upon them there can be no question about truth and unity. The Samaritans are to be one with the Jews and Christianity is to be based upon the revelations of God through the Apostles and the Jewish writers of Scripture before them. Christianity is to be unified against the intrusion of paganism and sensual worldly ideas. Christianity is not a new outer shell for a perverse ideology but a transforming truth that radically demolishes any religious pretenses that go against scripture.
Simon Magnus would be an individual example of those who still insist upon using Christianity as a cover for their sinful lives instead of the cure for the death sentence of sin that resided within their flesh. Today there are far too many people who are trusting like Simon in an intellectual knowledge of Christ and an experience of rite instead of having full trust in Christ and placing themselves in a position to receive the Spirit of Christ. They try to use the truth of Scripture for life enhancements and self advancement with no desire to worship God in "spirit and truth." Like Simon, they will perish with their money, religion, and self love never repenting of sin. Peter was clear to Simon, and thus to all readers, stop using Christianity as a means to your ends and repent of this sin that belittles the value of Christ and His work upon the cross. Repent in true holiness fleeing your sin, ideas, and religious activities, and cry out for God's mercy. This radical approach allows for the power of God to enter within and begin a radical transformation of life that is evident to all around. Do people really see a difference? Simon noticed He was different from real Christians.
I guess what I am saying is, give up "Samaritan Religions" and "Simon Magnus Desires" and bring glory to God by worshipping in "spirit and truth."
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