Acts 8:18-40 The Tale of Two Conversions I. Introduction A. We will read of two conversions. 1. One seems to result in a twisted embrace of an experience whereas the other results in true salvation. B. We will examine the dangers of pride, power, and money. C. We will also learn of the importance of following the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. II. Acts 8:18-24 Simon seeks fame and his own glory. A. 8:18-19 Simon is greedy for money and power. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 1. As the Spirit came upon new believers, there was an outward manifestation of the power of the Spirit, and it caused the wheels of greed to spin in Simon s mind. 2. This man had held the awe and respect of many for a long while. a) As he saw the people s allegiance switching from him to God, he became bitter and desired to have this trick of the laying on of hands. 3. Simon wanted to buy the power and position of God. a) It is from this man that the term simony comes. Simony is the buying and selling of church offices. b) This practice became rampant in the Middle Ages among the Popes and has still managed to endure even to this present day. 1
4. Though we may not see the crass disregard for the will of God with simony in our ranks, we must still be on guard against desiring a position in ministry because of the fame or glory it may bring us. a) A more common problem is the desire to be noticed by others in our works for the Kingdom of God. A. Scripture warns about those who are greedy for money. a) Elders are not (1 Tim. 3:3) to be greedy for money. b) We are warned about those that would like to make merchandise of us. NLT 2 Peter 2:3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way. 2 Peter 2:14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (1) We must avoid becoming cynical and forgetting the entire Biblical idea of giving, but we must also be aware that there are those out there that are looking for ways to get into our pocket book. (2) Beware of their clever lies. They promise healing, wealth, and many other marketable blessings if you simply give to them. c) They don t seek the fruit that will abound to your account, but rather the money that will be sucked up by their lust for it. (1) Paul is a great contrast to these charlatans. Philippians 4:15-17 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 2
B. 8:20-24 Peter rebukes Simon. 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." 24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." 1. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes something is amiss. a) The gift of discernment is working as Peter speaks with this man. b) Peter gives this man a strong rebuke for such an offer. 2. Probably, Simon was never truly saved. a) This is evident from these points: b) His belief is on the basis of power, and not the message. c) His heart was not right (8:21) and bound by iniquity (8:23). These are not descriptions of a new convert. d) In 8:24, he doesn t repent, but merely asks to be spared from judgment. 3. Church tradition states that Simon became one of the chief forerunners in propagation of the early church heresy call Gnosticism. It seems to be obvious that men can come to the door of the kingdom of Christ and yet never enter. It should be remembered that the first generation of Israelites out of the Exodus came to the borders of Canaan and yet never entered into the Promised Land. a) Where are you in relationship to the Kingdom of God? 4. There is a warning for all. a) Mere assent to facts does not mean you have placed saving faith in Jesus. 3
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! b) There were those in the gospel of John who placed their belief in Jesus, yet Jesus didn t believe in their belief. John 2:23-25 23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. III. c) Saving faith is a belief that is moved towards God for the sake of having your soul saved. d) This means that you can be sitting in here fully persuaded that Jesus did die on the cross and that He is the only true God and still not be saved. (1) If your faith in Jesus has not brought you to the point where you have committed your life into His care, then you are still lost in sin. (2) Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God, or are you hoping that at the last day you ll make the roll call? Acts 8:25 The Gospel continues to be preached. 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. A. The church digs in and seeks to thoroughly bring the gospel to the Samaritans. B. Even as Jesus went to the villages, so His disciples are following that example. C. The prejudice that so defined the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans is absent from the record as the love of Christ has impacted the heart of this new church. 1. The result is that the disciples now go into the villages to preach the gospel. 4
IV. Acts 8:26-40 Conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer A. 8:26 Philip follows the Lord s leading. 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 1. How strange this instruction must have sounded to a man who was being used in a mighty revival. a) But Lord, we are in the middle of a revival, and I am needed here! 2. Yet Philip didn t hesitate for a moment. a) This is a very important response to emulate in our lives. b) Often the Lord will lead us into situations that may not seem to make much sense. c) As we follow the Lord, it should not surprise us when we are only given the first step in our marching orders. (1) Following the Lord is an adventure with many twists and turns that we might not expect. d) Also, expect that you may be routed through the desert before you actually arrive at God s desired destination. 3. When the Lord tells you to step in faith, quickly obey, allowing the Lord to give you the next crucial bit of instruction to fulfill the mission. B. 8:27-31 Philip evangelizes the Ethiopian. 1. 8:27-28 The Lord loves individuals as much as a city. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 5
a) This man was on his way home after spending time in Jerusalem to learn of God. b) This man was one who was a genuine inquirer. The Lord always meets genuine seekers. 2. 8:29 The Spirit guides Philip in his next move. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." a) Philip did not have to wait long or think hard to discover what the next step was going to be; it was obvious. b) The Spirit does not lead us out into ventures only to abandon us. He will always give us the next step in the mission. 3. 8:30-31 We need to guide people into the truth of Jesus Christ. 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. Romans 10:13-15 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" C. 8:32-34 Jesus: Our sacrifice for sins 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 1. This man is reading from Isaiah 53, which is a prophecy of how Jesus would die for the sin of the world. a) Jesus was the Lamb who slain. 2. What a picture this must have been to this man who has just come from the place of sacrifice! 6
3. Jesus life was taken from the earth so that we might have life on earth and beyond. 4. Jesus had to die for our sins, for we can never satisfy the justice of God on our own. D. 8:35-38 Philip baptizes the new believer. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 1. As the gospel was presented to this man, he came to believe in Jesus and wanted to make a public display of his faith in Christ. 2. Every believer in Jesus is commanded to be water baptized. E. 8:39-40 Philip is caught away to preach elsewhere. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. V. Conclusions 1. Philip was transported from his meeting with the Eunuch to Azotus. 2. When you think of Philip, you can t help but see a man who was totally surrendered to the will of his Master. A. In Simon s false conversion, his desire was identification by the large crowds of people, whereas in the Ethiopian s conversion, the desire is for identification with Christ through a humble private baptism. B. In Simon s conversion, when he saw the power of God he desired to possess it, whereas when the Ethiopian convert saw the power of God he desired to praise God and went on his way rejoicing. 7
C. Both had heard a similar message and both had been baptized, yet the end result appears to be much different. D. What has been the result of the Gospel in your life? 8