However, this phrase wasn't spoken about any of them. This statement was made about Simon the Sorcerer from Acts chapter 8. Simon was a skilled showman in his day amazing the crowds with his acts of prestidigitation. It's debatable whether Simon's magic was in the vein of magicians in our day or if he practiced darker arts & magick.
What is known is that as Philip preached the Good News about the kingdom of God, Simon believed and was baptized (Acts 8:13). So whether you teach faith alone saves you or a plan of salvation including baptism saves you, Simon is a new Christian. His sins are washed away and his hope is in Jesus Christ.
Sadly, we learn that Simon's heart is not right with God (vs. 21). He is immediately told to repent. Repentance is part of God's plan for our salvaiton, and is taught as a step to new life in Christ (See II Cor. 7:10). However, just because someone is a new Christian doesn't mean they won't sin. They will. We're like new babies in our faith. We're bound to fail. In case of sinning after becoming a Christian John writes to Christians in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins adn to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Simon is told to repent from thinking he could purchase the power to lay his hands on people and heal them. It is a free gift from God and not to be confused with some magical art.
Some believe Simon never became a Christian. I disagree. I believe we see here a process that all new Christian deal with. After accepting Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism, we must still deal with short-comings and sin. Our spiritual journey involves replacing our old, sinful habits with God's grace and forgiveness. It's a process, not a wave of the magic wand. Step by step, by confessing and repenting of sins committed after our salvation, we walk closer to Jesus our Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment