College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 8:14-25
C.
THE WORK OF PETER AND JOHN. Acts 8:14-25.
I.
AT JERUSALEM. Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Acts 8:14 The cause of Christ was making great strides in the city and province of Samaria. When the news reached Jerusalem the apostles immediately sent unto them Peter and John.
As we have said, the work of the Lord was progressing wonderfully among the Samaritans. Why then was it necessary for Peter and John to appear on the scene? Was it indeed important that they come at all? These questions are answered by the text itself. Note the facts given in the text:
2.
AT SAMARIA. Acts 8:15-25 a
who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of apostles-' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 8:15-17 As soon as the apostles heard of Philip's good work in Samaria they sent Peter and John. But we ask for what purpose? What they did when they arrived would determine why they were sent.
1) When they arrived they prayed and laid hands upon the Samaritans; through this means these received the special gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2) This action was necessary because the Samaritans had only been baptized in water into Christ. They had then consequently only received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) or the (indwelling personality of the Holy Spirit.) The Holy Spirit in His miraculous powers had not fallen upon any of them. Luke uses the term fallen upon to describe the reception of the special powers. He uses this terminology in speaking of fear also (Luke 1:12; Acts 19:17). It carries the idea of obtaining or acquiring. From what we should already have concluded concerning the special spiritual gifts (see special study on the Holy Spirit,) we must say the use of the term Holy Spirit in Acts 8:15 b is synonymous with spiritual gifts. Nor is this unusual for there are other examples where the cause is placed for the effect.
250.
Give the purpose of the coming of Peter and John to Samaria; prove your answer.
251.
How is the term Holy Spirit used in Acts 8:15 b? Explain.
Acts 8:18-24 In contrast to the wonderful impartation of the Holy Spirit we are brought to face the sin of Simon. This record should teach us that holy company and religious activities do not exclude temptation and sin. Luke is very brief in this account. So brief that we are constrained to believe that there must have been a lapse of time between verse seventeen and eighteen. It does not seem reasonable that Simon would immediately sin in the way he did. The rebuke of Peter shows that there must have been a premeditation on his part. It was no impulsive statement that was said one moment and repented of the next. Peter says in describing his sin, that he was held in the bond of iniquity i.e. his sin had so grown within him as to be a fetter upon his very soul. Simon had allowed this thought to brood within his bosom so that the bitterness of hypocrisy had filled his heart.
He wanted this power of imparting the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands. The offer of money was not prompted by impetuousness nor was it probably offered in the public gathering, but rather at some opportune moment when Simon thought Peter would be most easily approached.
Peter did not hesitate a moment. We can think of a time in Peter's life when he would have hesitated and possibly yielded. But that was before Pentecost; that was before Peter was emptied of self and filled with the Holy Spirit. The apostle with the discernment of spirits that was his (1 Corinthians 12:10) knew Simon's exact predicament. This he revealed to Simon in the sternest of rebukes. He said in essence, You are lost and your silver will be lost with you. This is true because you seek to put a price upon that which is priceless. You have sought to bring down into your carnal sphere the power of Almighty God. You cannot buy with your money any part of God or His power. Your heart is not right before God. Peter did not close this rebuke in a thunder of final anathema but with the hope of restoration. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.
Then, as we have already remarked, Peter spoke to Simon of what he saw in Simon's heart. The gall of bitterness bespeaks of the heart condition or Simon's personal feelings. The bond of iniquity describes the hold or power his sin had upon him.
It is not our intention to decide motives, but from the words of Simon we seem to catch something of the meaning of the word perhaps in Peter's rebuke. Peter had suggested that the thought of this man's heart might not be forgiven. Why?
It would appear from what Simon here says, that Peter, looking into the purposes of the soul, could see that he was not yet ready or willing to follow his request for repentance. Even as the apostle spoke the words he knew the heart of Simon and so said if perhaps. The thought of verse twenty-four is an indication of Simon's unwillingness to do what was demanded of him. He was doubtless afraid and remorseful but not willing to forsake sin. Because of his fear he asked that Peter and John would pray for him. Note that he did not ask them to pray for him that he might have the courage to follow out the instructions given, but only that he might not be lost. He has many counterparts in our modern day.
252.
What lesson can be found in the wicked proposal of Simon?
253.
Does the briefness of this account concerning the wicked proposal of Simon force us to any conclusion on the matter? If so, what?
254.
What does the rebuke of Peter reveal about the heart condition of Simon?
255.
How do you suppose the offer of money was made?
256.
How did Peter know of the exact condition of Simon's heart?
257.
What reason does the response of Simon give for Peter's use of the word perhaps?
258.
If Simon was not willing to repent why did he ask Peter and John to pray for him?
Acts 8:25 Peter and John came to Samaria for one primary purpose; i.e. the installing of spiritually equipped leaders in the new congregation. This being accomplished they also testified and spoke the word of the Lord to the Samaritans, Following this they turned their faces toward Jerusalem. On their return journey they paused at numerous villages and preached the gospel among the despised Samaritans. It is interesting to notice the change in John's attitude toward these people. Read Luke 9:51-55.
259.
What interesting detail is given in the former treatise concerning John and Samaria?