Simon the magician’s magic tricks have been overpowered by Philip’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus in Samaria. Simon sees the futility of his magic in comparison to the Holy Spirit who is empowering Philip to convince Samaritans to believe and to be baptized:
“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit” (Ac 8:14-17).
This is an incredible moment, not only because Philip has inspired belief in a large number of people, but also because two ancient enemies – Jews and Samaritans – are standing together in perfect unity with Jesus as Lord and Savior!
So has Simon the magician truly believed when he was baptized? Is his faith true, or is he saying, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em?”
“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 one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit’” (Ac 8:18-19).
Simon’s desire, whether he truly believes or not, is to pay money to add to his bag of tricks so that he can make a great deal more money based on his already considerable fame. Peter sees through this instantly:
“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’” (Ac 8:20-23).
In the presence of warning and judgment, Simon has the chance to repent sincerely and to receive the never-ending love of God and forgiveness and restoration.
There is a fork in the road to perfect unity, and we all must choose either the bad fork that leads nowhere and the good fork that leads to perfect unity with Jesus. The flashing caution light at this intersection is sincere repentance for sin in all honesty before Jesus.
What does Simon choose?
“And Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me’” (Ac 8:24).
At first blush, it appears that Simon has repented. But while Peter has instructed Simon to pray for himself, Simon clearly sees that he does not have faith at all because he asks Peter to pray for him. No repentance, no perfect unity.
According to church tradition, Simon goes on to become a famous spell-caster and heretic.
But as for Peter and John:
“Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans” (Ac 8:25).
Choose wisely at the fork in the road to perfect unity. One way is marked repentance, never-ending love, and perfect unity. The other way is marked DEAD END – DANGER AHEAD!