Introduction: 1.
The book of Acts shows how the
apostles and other Christians in the early church carried out the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16).
a.
We learn from Acts 1:8 that the Lord
gave the apostles a specific plan for accomplishing His mission.
b.
The remainder of Acts shows how this
plan was implemented.
2.
(Acts 1-7) Many people were converted
in Jerusalem.
3.
According to Acts 8:1, persecution
eventually caused many Christians to scatter forth from Jerusalem.
4.
Those who left Jerusalem carried the Gospel with them, and
they preached it wherever they went (Acts 8:4).
5.
Preaching the Gospel resulted in
people being converted in various areas.
6.
In our lesson we are examining a
conversion that occurred in Samaria
-- "the conversion of Simon."
7.
Let us begin by showing that . . .
Discussion:
I.
A
MAN NAMED PHILIP
REACHED MANY PEOPLE
IN SAMARIA (vs.5-8)
A.
This is not the first time that
Philip is mentioned in Acts.
1.
(6:5) He was one of the 7 men chosen
to serve the Jerusalem
congregation.
2.
(6:6) The apostles laid their hands
on Philip and the other men.
B.
(8:5) Philip left Jerusalem
and went to Samaria
where he preached Christ to the people there.
C.
(8:6a) The people in Samaria listened to
Philip's teaching.
D.
(8:6b-7) They listened to Philip because
of the great works he performed.
E.
(8:12) Both men and women believed
and were baptized (Mark 16:16).
F.
(8:8) We can certainly understand why
there was so much joy in Samaria.
II.
ONE
PARTICULAR CONVERSION INVOLVED
A MAN NAMED
SIMON
A.
According to 8:9-11, Simon practiced
sorcery.
1.
He had convinced the people in Samaria that he had some
great power.
2.
Apparently, he had quite a following.
B.
(8:13) Simon was converted -- he
believed and was baptized (Mark 16:16).
C.
(8:13b) It seems that he was quite
impressed by Philip's miracles.
III.
(vs.14-17) THE APOSTLES
IN JERUSALEM SENT
PETER AND JOHN
TO SAMARIA
A.
Philip had taught the people in Samaria, and he had
baptized them.
B.
He performed miracles because the
apostles had laid their hands on him.
C.
However, he could not lay his hands
on people so they could receive the Holy Spirit.
D.
Only the apostles were able to do
this [another example is in Acts 19:6].
E.
Peter and John prayed for the
Christians in Samaria
and laid their hands on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit.
IV.
(vs.18-24) EVEN THOUGH
SIMON HAD BECOME
A CHRISTIAN, HE
NEEDED TO BE CONVERTED AGAIN
A.
(vs.18-19) Simon made a mistake.
1.
He wanted to be able to lay hands on
people so they could receive the Holy Spirit.
2.
He offered to buy this ability from
Peter and John.
B.
(vs.20-23) Peter rebuked Simon.
1.
(vs.20-21) Peter pointed out Simon's
problem.
2.
(vs.22) Peter told Simon what to do.
3.
(vs.23) Peter revealed Simon's
condition.
C.
Thankfully, Simon responded as he did
in vs.24.
Conclusion:
1.
From Simon's conversion we learn how
to be saved (vs.13).
2.
We also learn from Simon how
Christians receive forgiveness.
a. Repentance and prayer are involved
(vs.22).
b.
Confession of sin is also involved
(James 5:16; 1 John 1:9).
