The vain belief of Simon

Vol 4 - No 20, March 27, 2017

Believe in Acts, Part 4 - Vain Belief:

We’ve been studying each occurrence of the Greek word “pisteuo,” translated “believe” in the book of Acts and now arrive at the 5th and 6th occurrences thereof in chapter 8, about a man who believed - but he really didn’t. Chapter 8 begins with Saul giving consent to the stoning death of Stephen and generally creating havoc by entering the homes of Jews who believed Jesus was their Messiah and carrying them away to prison, Acts 8:1 - 31 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

. But God had a purpose even in this; those who escaped arrest in Jerusalem fled and preached the Word elsewhere, Acts 8:44 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

. Prior to this, there is no record of the Jews who believed in Jesus as their Messiah leaving Jerusalem even though Jesus told them they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and throughout the world, Acts 1:5 - 85 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

. Philip, having been one of the 7 men chosen with Stephen to oversee the Pentecostal church’s treasury, Acts 6:55 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

, was one who escaped Jerusalem and went to the City of Samaria preaching Christ, Acts 8:55 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

. (Samaritans were colonists from Babylonia, Syria, Elam, and the other Assyrian territories who, after the captivity of the North Kingdom, [2 Kings 17:24 - 3424 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.

27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.

28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt.

30 And the men of Babylon made Succothbenoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima,

31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.

32 So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.

33 They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.

34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

] intermarried with remnants of Jews in Samaria. They were held in contempt by Jews [Zodervan Topical Bible, page 910].)

In the City of Samaria, Philip was used to cast out unclean spirits and heal those who were lame and afflicted with palsies. When the Samaritans witnessed these miracles, they all “gave heed” to what he said, resulting in great joy, Acts 8:6 - 86 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

. Men and women believed his preaching concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ and they were baptized, Acts 8:1212 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

. Prior to Philip’s arrival, a man named Simon practiced “sorcery” and “bewitched” the people, thus promoting himself as a great man, Acts 8:99 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

. The word “sorcery” is translated from the Greek word “mageuo”(G3096), found only here in the NT, defined as “to practice magic.” It’s obvious we get our English word “magic” from “mageuo.” The word “bewitched” is translated from the Greek word “existemi” (G1839) found 17 times in the NT where it is translated “be amazed” 6 times, “be astonished” 5 times and “bewitched” only the two times here in Acts 8. So it was that Simon amazed the Samaritans with his magic, from the least among them to those in high esteem, and they regarded him as having the power of God for a long time, Acts 8:9 - 119 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

. Simon himself was amazed as he witnessed the miracles; he believed, was baptized and followed Philip, Acts 8:1313 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

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Although Philip and others left Jerusalem to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, the 12 Apostles stayed in Jerusalem. But when word reached the Apostles that people in Samaria had received the Word of God they sent Peter and John there, where they prayed that those who had believed and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus would receive the Holy Spirit, and when they laid their hands on them, they did so, Acts 8:14 - 1714 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

. This was in fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to Peter in Matthew 16:1919 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

and the Disciples in Matthew 18:1818 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

that whatever they bound or loosed on earth would be bound or loosed in heaven and that if two of them agreed to ask for anything it would be done by God the Father, Matthew 18:18 - 2018 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon them to implement these powers after He ascended into heaven, John 16:77 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

, which happened on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1 - 41 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

. Thus, Peter and John, the two of them agreeing on what to do, prayed and blessed the Samaritans with the Holy Spirit by the laying on of their hands.

Upon seeing this, Simon offered them money if they would empower him to bestow the Holy Spirit by laying his hands on people, Acts 8:18 - 1918 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

. It’s obvious Simon was not a true believer because he would not have offered money for this gift had he been. In Faith Studies Volume 3, No’s 76, 77 & 78 we found that the elements of true Biblical belief are receiving and being born of God: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11 - 1311 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

. Thus, it’s obvious that Simon had not received Jesus Christ, he was not born of God.

Peter told Simon his money would perish with him because he thought the gift of God could be purchased, therefore he had no standing in this matter because his heart was not right in God’s sight, Acts 8:20 - 2120 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

. Peter told him to repent of his wickedness and pray to God that his thoughts would be forgiven because he perceived he had the poison of bitterness and was controlled by unrighteousness, Acts 8:20 - 2320 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

. “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” Acts 8:2424 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

. His response betrays his heart as we compare it to King David’s prayer when Nathan confronted him about his sin of having Uriah the Hittite killed and taking Uriah’s wife, “I have sinned against the Lord,” 2 Samuel 12:1313 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

. Thus, while David recognized his sin was against the Lord, Simon’s only thought was saving his skin by asking Peter to pray he wouldn’t pay for his sin. Nothing is recorded about Simon repenting of his wickedness and praying to God for forgiveness, Acts 8:20 - 23.

Those Samaritans who truly believed, were baptized with the Holy Spirit, and thus looked forward to Israel’s Kingdom on earth. Simon’s belief was vain, without reason or effect, without a cause, it was not true. This begs the question about vain belief today during this age of Grace. Today, true believers are not waiting Christ’s return to establish His kingdom on earth, instead, we await the Lord Jesus Christ’s coming to meet us in the air and take us to heaven, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1813 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

. We each, and of course God, knows our own heart but we can’t know for sure the motives and intents of others. People can project a moral and sophisticated exterior, believe Jesus Christ existed, attend church, etc., and still not be saved from eternal damnation, i.e. hell. Consider those today who claim to be “Christians” and attend church regularly but don’t believe that unbelievers are going to hell for eternity when they die, even though God’s Word plainly teaches this, Revelation 21:88 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

, etc. The true believer receives and believes God’s Word, recognizing his/her status as a sinner, having fallen short of God’s standard, Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

, while accepting, trusting, believing the good news from the Apostle Paul that Christ died, was buried and rose again for our sins, 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

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True believers are righteous before God because they know their righteousness comes by the Faith of Jesus Christ: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:22 - 2422 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

. Unlike those waiting for God’s Kingdom on earth which was promised to the Nation of Israel and who were baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, we today have been baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:1313 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

. This is the “one baptism” revealed to and by Paul: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4 - 64 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

. Thus, true believers today are members of the Body of Christ, Romans 7:44 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

; 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 2712 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

; Ephesians 4:1212 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

, which is not accomplished by anything we can do ourselves, Ephesians 2:8 & 98 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

. Our salvation is all God’s work, which God accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. All we have to do is believe.

All this may explain what “believed in vain” means in 1 Corinthians 15:1 & 21 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” The word “vain” here is from the Greek word “eike,” found 7 times in the NT, once in Matthew and 6 times in the Pauline epistles. In Matthew it is translated “without a cause,” Matthew 5:2222 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

. The Greek Lexicon defines it as “idly, that is without reason or effect, without a cause, vainly.” The meaning of this word becomes clear by reviewing each passage in which it appears; Matthew 5:22; Romans 13:44 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

; Galatians 3:4 & 4:11 and Colossians 2:1818 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

. Thus, like Simon of Samaria, there are people today who believe vainly, idly, or without cause or effect.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22 - 2522 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

. One indicator of a true believer is their love of God, Romans 5:55 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

; 8:28; 1 Corinthians 8:33 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

; 2 Thessalonians 3:55 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

and their love of fellow Members of the Body of Christ, Ephesians 1:1515 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

; Colossians 1:44 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

; 1 Thessalonians 4:99 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

. True believers have joy and peace even while living in unpleasant relationships and circumstances.