The Jerusalem church members rejoiced greatly when they heard that Samaria had received the word of God. Not only individuals had been baptized, but multitudes from all around the region. Thus the kingdom of God spread into the midst of the Samaritan region, where the religion mainly consisted of remnants of other, left-over religions.
Those among the apostles who were characterized by a spirit of deliberation said: “Let us examine these multitudes to see of what spirit they are! We have already seen that the Samaritans previously had prevented Jesus from passing through their country. John and his companions became angry and asked the Lord to rain down fire from heaven to destroy the disobedient in these villages. But Jesus pricked them to the heart by asking them: “Do you not know of which spirit you are of?” Now Peter and John went to observe this new revival territory. They also were hoping, through their ministry, to be able to add more to the believers´ joy.
When the two apostles came into Samaria, they immediately noticed something essential: in spite of the obvious enthusiasm and faith, which came as a result of the miracles, the most important elements were still missing - inner change in men, liberation from demonic involvement, and filling with the Holy Spirit. The multitudes believed in Jesus, yet in spite of their belief and baptism in water they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We have to confess, even if we are unwilling to, that faith for the majority of Christians is but a mental belief. In a nutshell, they practiced water baptism, submitted to the sacred sacraments, and desired to see the Lord’s miracles and guidance. In truth, however, they still have not received salvation. Their hearts are still bound by the chains of evil spirits, and they are empowered by thoughts which are residues of old doctrines. Sin possesses their bodies, and the power of God through love, humility, self-sacrifice and self-denial does not appear in them.
As individuals and as churches, we have to examine ourselves in the light of the gospel: Are we really the fellowship of those who singularly believe in the Christian faith? Are we saints, filled with the spirit of love, dead to ourselves, but alive to God? Do not think that an understanding of Christ, knowledge of the faith, or continuance in church tradition will save you. Without the life of God, which comes from the Holy Spirit, you remain spiritually dead in spite of your religious thoughts and blind fanaticism. Have you really received the gift of the Holy Spirit? Christ has forgiven us our sins on the cross so that we may receive the promise of His Father, and that His power, life, pleasure, and righteousness may enter into our perishable bodies. Do not be content with your so-called godliness, and do not glorify your religious imaginations, but repent and be converted. Ask Christ persistently to fill you with His Holy Spirit, so that you may see your wickedness and reject your sinful self. Christ will then make you into a new creation, filled with everlasting life.
Dear brother, take heed not to behave like Simon the sorcerer, who became Satan’s spirit operating in the Christian church. He observed the power of God, flowing out from the apostles, and coveted it. He wished they would convey this power to him, so that he could bestow the gift upon others. Had that happened he would have become more powerful than Philip and people would have left this active deacon and turned to Simon, the old sorcerer.
This intimates that man, in spite of baptism and hypocritical repentance, may remain a proud devil. He is covetous of authority and haughtiness, unless, in his innermost being, he is delivered from his sins by the sword of God´s word. Our salvation means being redeemed from evil authorities and powers. It is not just a religious feeling or a mental perception.
Simon’s devilishness soon became evident through his trust in money. He thought the possibility and power of the laying on of hands could be bought with money. He didn´t understand the essence of the Christian message regarding Christ’s free sacrifice on the cross. It is impossible to receive the grace of God through money, good deeds, or donations of any kind. Our God is not open to such dealing, for He is a merciful Father, who freely and endlessly desires to give. He who tries to make out of the Loving One a merchant, falls into hell - an evil place of refuge, indeed!
Peter immediately said to the hypocrite: “May you and your money perish. You are filled with selfishness, covetousness of authority, haughtiness, and lying. You have not been born of the Spirit of God, but are the son of the devil. You profess to believe in Christ and have been baptized, but you are not a partaker of the kingdom of God. Your ways are still as crooked as before. Therefore, you are conceited, corrupt, wicked, and reprobate. You think in human ways, and not in the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. You, poor Simon, think that everything can be obtained with money. You try to buy the grace of God´s Spirit. Repent of your pride and your covetousness. Let your wickedness be broken, and change the course of your life. Tearfully repent of your sins before God, asking Him to forgive you your wickedness and release you from your evil bonds. You have opened your heart to destructive danger. Reject it at once, and ask God’s forgiveness, so that He may forgive you. He will not forgive you unless you separate yourself completely and willfully from your sin. Then you will be safe and receive the forgiveness prepared for those who repent”.
Likewise, if you, dear brother, dear sister, are not converted and do not repent you will remain a danger to your church, poisoning the hearts of many through your wavering between God and Satan. You will bind your companions with the cords of injustice, thus becoming a door, not leading to heaven, but to hell. Your words would corrupt people, saving none.
Unfortunately, Simon the sorcerer did not sincerely repent. He did not fall down on his knees before the apostles and confess his sin. Instead, he was merely afraid of the spiritual threat in the words of the Apostle Peter. The Holy Spirit did not bring about the death of the sorcerer immediately, as he had done in Jerusalem in the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Simon had not been born again, nor had he received the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the possibility of repentance was still open to him.
From church history we learn that the hypocritical sorcerer did not turn, but went on to originate a heresy which proclaimed himself to be a god, and allowed all kinds of sexual deviations and unclean prostitution. Where Satan’s spirit appears in religious jubilation and enthusiasm, there soon appear deviations with regard to money and sex. So, dear brother, be exceedingly cautious! Separate yourself from all enthusiastic religious movements. Repent and claim Christ’s poverty and contentedness. Choose the purity of the Holy Spirit, and walk in self-control by His power.
The apostles discovered that many Samaritans had sincerely repented and been converted through the Holy Spirit. The apostles did not preach with superficiality and enthusiasm, but insisted on the cleansing of the heart. They stressed true regeneration, for without a second birth no one is admitted into the kingdom of God.
Dear brother, we kindly ask you to present yourself to the Spirit of God today. Ask Him to condemn your sins, overcome them, and cause them to die. Ask Him to sanctify you through faith in the blood of Christ and fill you with Himself. Do not keep standing in the middle of the road else you cause damage to many others.