Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:13
Simon the sorcerer, we are told believed and continued with the brethren, but it is important to examine what Peter told him when he offered money in exchange for the power of God.
"But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:20-23.
In these verses, we find Peter say to a man who had believed, "you have neither part nor portion in this matter, your heart is not right in the sight of God." How come his heart is not right in the sight of God, if we are pleasing in the sight of God in spite of the kind of life we live, or could it be that Simon was a false believer? Nothing is said in the salvation of Simon to suggest this. Peter went on to tell a man who had believed, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, to repent and pray, If perhaps God will forgive him of his wickedness.
What are we to make of this? It seems that Peter believed that a person who is born again can have a life that is not pleasing in the sight of God; and that what such a person should do is to repent of such an unholy attitude and ask God for forgiveness. Peter didn't ask him to repent as in the matter of salvation, but with regards to an evil thought that he had in his heart. It is strange to teach that believers, once they are forgiven, have no need of further repentance, because according to some people, they have been washed at the point of salvation, therefore, when they have done wrong, they shouldn't confess sin, but righteousness.
Toni
Simon the sorcerer, we are told believed and continued with the brethren, but it is important to examine what Peter told him when he offered money in exchange for the power of God.
"But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:20-23.
In these verses, we find Peter say to a man who had believed, "you have neither part nor portion in this matter, your heart is not right in the sight of God." How come his heart is not right in the sight of God, if we are pleasing in the sight of God in spite of the kind of life we live, or could it be that Simon was a false believer? Nothing is said in the salvation of Simon to suggest this. Peter went on to tell a man who had believed, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, to repent and pray, If perhaps God will forgive him of his wickedness.
What are we to make of this? It seems that Peter believed that a person who is born again can have a life that is not pleasing in the sight of God; and that what such a person should do is to repent of such an unholy attitude and ask God for forgiveness. Peter didn't ask him to repent as in the matter of salvation, but with regards to an evil thought that he had in his heart. It is strange to teach that believers, once they are forgiven, have no need of further repentance, because according to some people, they have been washed at the point of salvation, therefore, when they have done wrong, they shouldn't confess sin, but righteousness.
Toni
