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The Conversion of Simon
(Acts 8:13)

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).
Webmaster Gary L. Wade