How do You Respond to Correction?

Acts 8:9-24

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, " This man is what is called the Great Power of God." 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." 24 But Simon answered and said, " Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
NASU

Acts 8:9-24 Exposition

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;

Simon had made a name for himself through the practice of magic or sorcery. That His art was not to the glory of God can be seen in that he used it to His own ends; to gain a name for himself, and “claiming to be someone great” promoted himself. The use of power and particularly either real or the illusion of spiritual power to ones own service is what God's people are warned against repeatedly in the Old testament as well as the new. In addition any power we may have is to be used for God's glory alone and not for our own promotion.

10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, " This man is what is called the Great Power of God."

Nothing is said of Simon turning aside this praise so we are to infer this was acceptable to him and indeed allowed him to enjoy a great reputation.

11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

His celebrity was gained through the use of the sorcery itself and seemingly not for any perceived good he did with it. It may be argued that he did no harm, following what is today among those practicing witchcraft called the “witches reede”, “and it harms none do what thou wilt”. One may view this then as so-called white-magic even though its end is no better than magic done to create evil as he serves himself and not God. If indeed His power was from God then certainly it should have been employed to a higher purpose than self promotion and celebrity. Likewise, what talents we possess are gift from God and should be employed to the glory and purpose of God and not for any lesser thing.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

Without judging the people of Samaria as to the eternal effect of their conversion, it does seem that they are people easily attracted to a new thing. We shall say then that while we must certainly hear and respond to the gospel, and be baptized, we must also persevere in faith. One may respond to the Good news for various reasons,but perseverance in faith demonstrated that our response was more than an excited reply to an attractive offer.

13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

Simon himself believed and was baptized, following and observing the miracles done through Philip.

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,

Showing the importance of connection among the members of the church the Apostles come to Samaria to see the results of this successful evangelistic work by Phillip. Our work in the church if it is of God will be approved by those who by right faith and practice are a part of the true Church. While disagreements may occur, and while the world especially will hate our work, in the end God's people will recognize and approve what God is doing. Time and examination by the church with faithful submission to the authority and guidance of scripture can separate the gold from the dross and the wheat from the chaff.

15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

The response of the church is to pray for these new converts that their conversion may indeed be complete. Too often when someone whom we may distrust is converted we smugly sit back and say “we'll see”. Yet the apostles take a different approach. They come and see these Samaritans and pray for them asking God to indeed give them the Holy Spirit. When you see a person make a decision to trust in Christ, do not doubt but rather pray, since God is the one who works in all true conversions.

16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

For reasons we can only speculate, the Holy Spirit was not received by these people at the moment of belief or at their baptism.

17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

Yet as the Apostles prayed and laid hands on them they did indeed receive the Spirit. Whatever we think might be the natural result of preaching, teaching, sharing our faith, or any other godly efforts we make we can be assured that God answers prayer and bestows his Spirit as He wills and when He wills. The Apostles were appointed to go and through laying on hands pass along the Holy Spirit. Be assured the Spirit would not have been given had God not willed it. It was not the people's reaction to Phillip's preaching or the act of their baptism, or even the physical act of laying on hands that bestowed the Spirit, for we cannot make God do anything he does not will. Yet the Apostles prayed and then in faith laid hands on those who would receive and they did receive the Holy Spirit.

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Simon saw only the act and did not understand the power or purpose behind it. He was used to dealing in magic where the right words or actions achieved the desired effect and so thought he could purchase this ability. It is only speculation whether he in his heart desired this ability to grow the church or merely his own reputation. Even so we can learn from Simon that whether for good intentions or selfish ones we should not attempt by our own means to gain gifts not given to us. This does not mean we should not be educated or learn new skills but simply that we should not envy or covet those gifts we admire in others.

20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

Peter's rebuke is quick and harsh to our ears. Yet how much more effective might the church be if we were more ready to briefly and directly correct wrong and error than to try to fix it by politics or persuasion. This is not to encourage rudeness, but when error is plain to the church it should be corrected.

21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

Regardless of what Simon planned to do with the ability his heart was not right at the least because he was not content with what he had already received in Christ: Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and baptism into Christ's body the church. Rather than following a calling he sought to grasp a high position for himself thinking it was something he might gain by purchase. Our role in the church is one of grateful followers of Christs calling. There is no higher or lower state. A Pastor is not elevated above a Deacon. Elder, or Lay Person. These are simply different callings and ministries. Therefore one pursues each state only as he or she is called not as a rung in a ladder to be climbed.

22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

With the rebuke is included the way out. Peter offers Simon the offer give to each of us when we are in error. Repent! Turn away from sin and error and loathe it and seek what is right, and then ask forgiveness and a right heart. It is wrong of us to rebuke a person without also offering the way of correction and the assurance of forgiveness which is offered in Christ.

23 "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Prophetically (as this is recorded in the Word of God and therefore true) the Apostle speaks to Simon concerning the condition of his heart. We should beware of what sins may come from bitterness, envy, and what bondage we can fall into when sin is tolerated in ourselves or in our members. Set aside all bitterness and seek in Christ freedom from all sin. Do not tolerate any sin in yourself, repent quickly and seek forgiveness where it may be found, namely from and in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. In the church Call sin what God's Word calls sin. Be careful of making laws of your own but clearly oppose those things which Scripture calls sin. Warn gently yet firmly, and out of nothing else than love, those who continue in sin and pray for their return.

24 But Simon answered and said, " Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

I am unsure of Simon's response. Does his response mean he truly repents and desires their prayers. Or does he remain in bitterness and therefore return their words bitterly refusing to pray for himself, and seeking only freedom from consequences.

Rather than answer I instead will offer you this: When you are rebuked, whether by Scripture alone, preaching, an Elder, or a friend or church member, do not respond with bitterness. Examine your heart. If your conduct is right you will be affirmed by the church. Yet if you find any fault in youself, do not ask others to pray until you yourself have prayed and asked, not for freedom from consequences, but for forgiveness, a right heart, and correct action.

In Christ and On the Shepherd's Path,

Mark