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Acts 8

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.

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

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

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

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.

And there was great joy in that city.

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:

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

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

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.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

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

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

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

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

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

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

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

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

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.

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

What does Acts 8:23 mean?

Explanation

Acts 8:23 presents a grave warning by the apostle Peter to a new believer named Simon, who is traditionally known as Simon Magus or Simon the Sorcerer.

In the narrative, Simon had previously practiced sorcery in Samaria, astonishing the people and claiming to be someone great.

When Philip the evangelist came to Samaria and preached Christ, Simon himself believed and was baptized.

However, later when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money to obtain this power. Peter rebukes Simon harshly, telling him that his heart is not right in the sight of God and that he needs to repent.

The phrase "thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity" suggests that Simon was deeply entrenched in sin and bitterness, potentially envious or resentful of the apostles' spiritual authority, and trapped in his own wrongdoing.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The book of Acts, authored by Luke, is a historical account of the early Christian church and its expansion.

Acts 8:23 falls within the narrative focusing on the evangelistic efforts in Samaria following the martyrdom of Stephen and the subsequent persecution which scattered believers.

This allowed the gospel to spread beyond Jerusalem.

During this time, sorcery and magical practices were quite common in the Greco-Roman world, and someone like Simon, with such abilities, would have possessed considerable influence.

The account of Simon's encounter with Peter reflects the early church's confrontation with pagan practices and the clear demarcation they drew between Christian miracles, which were attributed to the Holy Spirit, and sorcery, which was not.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Acts 8:23 is rich with insights about the nature of sin, repentance, and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

The verse underscores the radical transformation needed for a true conversion - one that goes beyond mere intellectual assent or the desire for personal gain.

It reflects the Christian doctrine that spiritual gifts cannot be purchased with money or obtained through human efforts; they are given freely by God through the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, it highlights the importance of having a right heart before God, aligning with scriptural teachings that God values the inward condition of an individual over external appearances or actions.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Acts 8:23 can be applied in several ways to daily life.

It serves as a reminder to examine our motives in seeking spiritual experiences or positions within the church.

Are we guided by a desire for personal glory, power, or gain, or are we genuinely seeking to serve and glorify God? It also challenges believers to maintain integrity in their faith journey, avoiding the pitfalls of hypocrisy and superficiality.

Lastly, it is a call to repentance for those who find themselves ensnared by sin, assuring them that God’s grace is available for a sincere turn-around.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.

Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

2 Peter 2:18-19: "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

Isaiah 55:1: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Ephesians 4:30: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

Language Study

The key words in this verse are "gall of bitterness" and "bond of iniquity." In the Greek, "gall" (χολή, chole) typically refers to bile but metaphorically can imply a state of extreme wickedness or spiritual poison.

"Bitterness" (πικρία, pikria) suggests a bitter attitude or spirit, which might include resentment or jealousy. The "bond" (σύνδεσμος, sundesmos) implies something that binds or ties, signifying that Simon was ensnared or tied up in his sin, unable to free himself without repentance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing Acts 8:23 to other ancient myths and religious interpretations, Simon Magus is sometimes likened to figures in other traditions who seek to harness spiritual or supernatural power for their own ends.

The pursuit of power and the subsequent downfall is a common motif in ancient mythology.

Religious systems that incorporate magic and sorcery often suggest that spiritual power can be controlled or manipulated, which contrasts sharply with the Christian view of the Holy Spirit as sovereign and unbuyable.

Scientific Perspectives

Acts 8:23 does not lend itself easily to scientific analysis as it deals with concepts of spirituality and moral integrity, which are outside the realm of empirical science.

However, the transformation in a person's life, including changes in behavior and relationships, may be studied through psychological and sociological lenses.

Modern science can offer insights into the psychological states associated with bitterness and the social dynamics of group behavior, influence, and conversion experiences.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Acts 8:23 generally agree on the spiritual peril that Simon Magus was in due to his misconceived understanding of the Christian faith and Holy Spirit.

They elaborate on Peter's intense reaction and the serious nature of Simon's sin, indicating the early church's clear stance against simony, defined as the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, offices, or emoluments, which is named after Simon himself.

Experts also point out the verse's lessons on the nature of true conversion, the proper motivations in seeking spiritual gifts, and the dangers of attempting to commodify God's freely given grace.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 8:23 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?