The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 8:18-24, “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

There are two “Simons” in our verses above; however, the one in the first verse is known elsewhere as “Simon the Sorcerer.” The other Simon goes by his second name, “Peter.” Verses earlier than ours, but yet in the same chapter, tell us that Simon the Sorcerer had become a Christian. But, like a lot of us, there yet remains still some carnality.

Simon acted hastily when he witnessed the Holy Spirit enter the lives of some who had believed upon Jesus. Acting totally without spiritual thought, Simon asked for the authority of implanting the Holy Spirit, knowing that he could make a lot of money with it. Peter lashed out at him with a bare-knuckle shout! “May your silver perish with you…,” Peter shouted! “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God!” Peter was right! Furthermore, he barked at Simon saying, you need to pray that the LORD will forgive you for even thinking of such a thing!

Simon was so stunned that he could not pray! He asked Peter to pray for him, lest the LORD bring upon him a great disaster! The Scriptures do not tell us whether Peter prayed for Simon or not. I can only guess that Simon never said anything like that again. We’ve all said and done things that were not pleasing to God. But have we repented? Have we asked His forgiveness? Let Peter’s soul-shattering word to Simon speak to us, as well. The LORD is not glorified by money! He is glorified when we yield our lives and our wills to Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom