The Magician Who Lost His Coins
Acts 8:5-25
Introduction
I. We have all seen magician doing coin tricks.
A. But Simon was a magician who lost his coins.
1. He did his tricks in Samaria.
2. Remember John 4.
II. In Acts 1:8, we see the progression of the gospel (Acts 8:1-4).
A. Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5-8).
1. The word was being confirmed by miracles.
(Mark 16:20 KJV) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
2. Many of the Samaritans became Christians.
a. One in particular was Simon.
b. He gave up his sorcery.
Discussion
I. CONDITION (ACTS 8:9-11)
A. He was a sinner (Isa 59:1-2; 1 John 3:4; Rom 3:23).
(Rom 5:12-14 KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: {13} (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. {14} Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
1. He practiced witchcraft (power derived from the help of demons).
a. Included- astrology, fortunetelling, spiritualism.
(Exo 22:18 NKJV) "You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
(Deu 18:10-12 NKJV) "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, {11} "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. {12} "For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.
2. He bewitched the people - astonished = "out of one's mind."
3. He claimed to be someone great.
a. Irenaeus: "Simon claimed to combine in himself the three persons of the trinity, alleging that he appeared to the Jews as the Son, to the Samaritans as the Father, and among the Gentiles as the Holy Spirit."
4. He received a great following - from the least to the greatest.
a. He deceived the common people & the leaders.
(Mat 24:4-5 NKJV) And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. {5} "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
5. He accepted, "This man is the great power of God."
a. They may have thought he possessed power from God.
b. They may have thought he was an angel from God.
(Eph 1:21 NKJV) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
(1) ASV - He is that power (angel) of God that is called Great (an archangel).
6. He profited by his sins.
a. Sorcery was a lucrative business (Acts 16:16).
II. CONVERSION (ACTS 8:12-13)
A. He heard the gospel (4).
1. Jesus was preached (5) [Jesus vs. Satan].
2. The kingdom of God was preached (12) [Kingdom of light vs. Kingdom of darkness]
3. The name of Jesus Christ was preached [Jesus' authority vs. Satan's authority].
(Luke 10:18-20 NKJV) And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. {19} "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. {20} "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
B. He believed the gospel (13).
1. This destroys the "once saved always saved" doctrine (also=even=and).
C. He obeyed the gospel (13).
1. He was baptized (Mk 16:16).
D. He continued in the gospel (13).
1. He saw true divine power in action.
2. He met the apostles, Peter & John (Acts 8:14-17).
a. Only the apostles could impart spiritual gifts.
(Rom 1:11 NKJV) For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established;
(1) All done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (15).
(1 Cor 12:11 NKJV) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
III. TRANSGRESSION (ACTS 8:18-23).
A. He was perishing - "Thy money perish with thee" (Jn 3:16).
(Mat 5:29 NKJV) "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
B. He was in the gall of bitterness - "filled with the poison of bitterness."
1. Gall - yellowish green fluid secreted by the liver.
2. Ancients believed that gall was the source of venom in snakes.
C. He was in the bond of iniquity.
(Isa 58:6 NKJV) "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
D. He committed wickedness.
1. We can fall from grace (Gal 5:4; 2 Tim 4:10).
(2 Pet 1:10 NKJV) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
E. His heart was not right (thinking, motives).
(1 Tim 6:5-6 NKJV) useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. {6} Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
F. He was without excuse (Rom 6:1).
G. He erred from the truth.
(James 5:19-20 NKJV) Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, {20} let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
H. He was worse than in the beginning.
(2 Pet 2:20-21 NKJV) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. {21} For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
IV. RESTORATION (ACTS 8:22-24).
A. He acknowledged his sins (Psa 51:3).
1. We cannot hide our sins.
(Num 32:23 NKJV) "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.
2. God will not overlook our sins (1 John 1:7-9).
B. He repented of his sins.
(Jer 3:12 NKJV) "Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: 'Return, backsliding Israel,' says the LORD; 'I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,' says the LORD; 'I will not remain angry forever.
(Rev 2:5 NKJV) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.
1. Second Law of Pardon (Mat 16:19).
a. He isn't told to be baptized again.
C. He prayed for forgiveness.
1. Confessing his sins (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9).
a. Alien sinners - "Repent & be baptized."
b. Erring saints - "Repent & pray."
D. He received forgiveness (if sincere).
1. "If perhaps" - The doubt is not in God's forgiveness but in Simon's repentance.
2. God has promised:
a. "I will not cause my anger to fall upon you" (Jer 3:12).
b. "I will heal your backsliddings" (Jer 3:22).
c. "I will receive you" (Luke 15).
d. "I will forgive you" (1 John 1:9).
Conclusion
I. Are you saved this morning or does the world have you under its magical spell?
A. If you're not a Christian, like Simon, believe & be baptized.
B. If you're again is sin, like Simon, repent & pray.
II. God's forgiveness is available for all.
** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
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