NARBERTH BAPTIST FELLOWSHP - week ending 18/09/2009
Simon Magus is regarded by Christians as the father of all heresy.
When the Holy Spirit of God comes down on a person, the experience that follows is something wondrous, power for living, miracles, new personal gifts and abilities, changed lives.
In the first century because of the profound effects produced by the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the new converts, Simon tried to tempt the apostles sell him the power which they possessed.
That he actually had magical powers can be disputed but Simon Magus was a sorcerer of great reputation for his magical arts among the Samaritans. He had faith, or at least pretended to by hearing the preaching of Philip the deacon. Whatever he believed, it proved to be false.
His behaviour elicited a stern rebuke from Peter. The term "Simony," is now used for denoting the purchase for money of spiritual offices and derives from him, it has to do with exploiting sacred things to make money.
Eventually, Simon claimed to be the Messiah and instituted a Messianic movement in Samaria, which was intended to rival and supplant Christianity. Like many Christians today, Simon the Sorcerer had formally identified himself with Christianity by submitting to baptism but did not receive the Holy Spirit or he would not have tried to buy the power. Simon had faith, he was baptized, but without the humility of repentance.
There are always people looking for magic rather than miracles. They follow signs instead of signs following them. They pray in order to make God do what they want Him to do, whereas true prayer is the surrender of the human will to the will of God.
NBF meets 6.30pm Sundays in the chapel at Pant-y-Gorphwys Farmhouse on the main A478 from Penblewin to Narberth - do visit.
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Anon.