Big changes were taking place. The age-old project the Lord had undertaken with the Hebrew people was coming to a close.
A great contrast is presented here, with the recent story of the noble persecuted being followed by the great persecutor, Saul himself. Gamaliel had been partly right: after the death of their master, the Christians had indeed been scattered. However, the persecution drove the believers to the very regions which Jesus told his disciples, i.e. Judea and Samaria. This was nothing less than an milestone in creating a worldwide church with one Lord and one Spirit.
Simon, the great sorcerer, was held in such high regard that, according to Justin Martyr, they erected a statue of him on the banks of the Tiber. He was held to be a high god. Yet he soon discovered the real power in this world: the Lord Jesus Christ.
We use his apparent conversion to consider two types of positive response to the gospel. We start with a true conversion to Christ, with belief in the gospel and its subject, and repentance. The credibility of the profession is enhanced by a baptism and a following of the leaders in the church. All this seemed to be present in Simon's conversion experience.
However, we can see what happened next as undermining that credibility in his case. He no doubt thought he could enhance his great reputation even more by being granted this great gift of giving the Spirit, and he therefore tried to buy it from the apostles. He was rebuked in no uncertain terms. Yet prayer was enjoined on him, as there was potentially forgiveness available. It reminds us that even believers rest in the same forgiveness which the repentant sinner seeks in his true conversion. |
