I. “WHO PREVIOUSLY PRACTICED SORCERY”
A. Acts 8:9-11
Simon’s occupation was sorcerer, whereby he took credit as “the great power of God”, which is no trivial boast.
B. Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8
Sorcery is a work of the flesh that will result in exclusion from God’s kingdom and punishment in the lake of fire. With this in mind, it is hard to find the entertainment value of Harry Potter.
C. 2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12; Mark 13:22-23
“Lying wonders” are the work of Satan.

II. “SIMON HIMSELF ALSO BELIEVED; AND… WAS BAPTIZED”
A. Acts 8:12-13
When Simon saw real miracles performed, even he was convinced. Obedience to the gospel swiftly followed.
B. John 1:12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 16:16
Believers have the “right” to become children of God, and upon baptism actually put on Christ. Belief and baptism go together for salvation, and that’s just what Simon did.
C. 1st Timothy 1:15; Luke 5:31-32
Salvation is available to all, no matter how severe the sin.

III. “SIMON SAW THAT THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES’ HANDS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN”
A. Acts 8:14-18
Although it was Philip the evangelist’s miracles that convinced Simon to believe in Christ, he observed that the Holy Spirit was given only by direct contact of an apostle. Without living apostles it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to be given to anyone else.
B. Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 11:15-18
The baptism of the Holy Spirit imparted the Holy Spirit, too, of course, but it was an extremely limited event. It was promised by Jesus, never commanded, but promised to the apostles in particular. After they received it, no one else did until the first Gentile converts, when it served as proof to the Jews that Gentiles could be saved. On that occasion it was compared to when the apostles received it because there was nothing else to compare it to.
C. 1st Corinthians 13:8-13
Inspiration clearly indicates that spiritual gifts would cease as they were part of the infancy of the church, not its maturity.
D. Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:1-4
Spiritual gifts served as God’s testimony to confirm that the speaker was sent by Him. Hasn’t God’s word been confirmed yet?

IV. “HE OFFERED THEM MONEY”
A. Acts 8:18-19
Simon yielded to temptation and offered the apostles’ a bribe to gain their ability.
B. Matthew 10:7-8
Jesus’ gifts are meant to be free.
C. 1st Timothy 6:5
Godliness must never be perceived as a “means of gain”.
D. John 6:26-27
The Lord was exasperated by those who followed Him, not of conviction, but to prosper materially.
E. Matthew 19:29
The gospel actually involves sacrificing materially for spiritual gain, not gaining materially.

V. “‘YOUR MONEY PERISH WITH YOU…!’”
A. Acts 8:20
Simone was severely scolded by Peter.
B. 2nd Timothy 4:2-5; Titus 2:15
Preaches are authorized to rebuke. Rebuking is part of fulfilling an evangelist’s ministry.
C. Revelation 3:19; Proverbs 27:5
Correcting one in error is an expression of love.
D. Proverbs 9:8-9
Wise men love those who rebuke them.

VI. “‘YOUR HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD’”
A. Acts 8:21
Despite having been saved because he believed and was baptized, Simon’s heart was wrong according to God’s perspective.
B. 1st Corinthians 15:1-2; Colossians 1:21-23
Salvation is conditional, being based on ongoing steadfastness. “If” is a word on which much depends.
C. Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
The parable of the sower reveals that there are souls who will respond to the gospel, but, being deceived by riches, die.
D. Hebrews 10:26-31; 2nd Peter 2:20-22
The soul who obeys the gospel, but goes astray, is in “worse” condition than those who never obeyed.
E. Luke 14:25-33
There is a cost to be counted before following Jesus.

VII. “‘PERHAPS THE THOUGHT OF YOUR HEART MAY BE FORGIVEN YOU’”
A. Acts 8:22-24
The hope of forgiveness to the wayward Christian is extended on the basis of repentance and prayer.
B. Galatians 6:1; James 5:19
It is the duty of those “who are spiritual” to restore those gone astray, saving them from death.
C. 1st John 1:9; James 5:16
Besides repentance and prayer, confession of sin is also required.
D. 2nd Corinthians 7:9-11
When wayward Christians repent, salvation is regained!