SIMON MISSED HEAVEN. HE DID NOT REPENT. - Chapel Chat
Philip went to Samaria and did mighty miracles, healing people and casting out demons. He preached the gospel of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The result of Philip’s preaching was that many of the Samaritans believed and were baptized. A great, magical man, Simon, also believed and was baptized.
The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had believed the gospel and traveled to Samaria. Upon arriving they laid hands on the new believers and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon, upon seeing the apostles impart the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands, offered the apostles money so that he might do this also.
Peter’s words to him in Acts 8:21 were, “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.”Simon believed the miracles he saw and the gospel he heard but was still unrighteous, wicked, bitter and full of self will (iniquity). He had not repented. He refused to humble himself and turn his life over to Christ’s will.
Have you repented and believed? Has your life drastically changed since you were born again? If not, review the gospel to see if that is what you believe. Then cry out to Christ and turn your life over to him for salvation.
~Lewellyn Tewksbury, January 7, 2017