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William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 8
William MacDonald: “It seems that Simon had not been born again. He was a professor but not a possessor” (p. 1605). MacDonald continues: “Peter’s answer indicates that Simon was not a truly converted man: 1. “Your money perish with you.” No believer will ever perish (John 3:16). 2. “You have neither part nor portion in this matter”; in other words, he was not in the fellowship. 3. “Your heart is not right in the sight of God.” This is a fitting description of an unsaved person. 4. “You are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Could these words be true of a regenerate person? (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1606).. Homer Kent observed, “In all likelihood his belief (8:13) was only superficial and not true saving faith, as the following reasons indicate. (1) His belief seems to have been based upon the miracles which he beheld (vs. 13), and could be mere intellectual assent. Jesus usually discounted that kind of faith (John 2:23-25; 6:26,66). It is true that the same word is used for “believe” of Simon and the rest of the Samaritans, but the context must indicate the content of the belief. (2) Simon is contrasted to the others throughout the account. (3) The particular type of rebuke given to Simon makes it doubtful that he was saved. “Thy silver be with thee into perdition” (literal translation). “Thou has neither part nor lot in this matter.” “Thy heart is not right.” The expression “gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity” was OT terminology descriptive of most serious offenses (Deut. 29:18,20). (4) Simon exhibited no personal sense of sin, but only a fear of judgment. (5) The consistent testimony of church tradition associates Simon Magus with heresy” (Jerusalem to Rome, p. 80). F. F. Bruce: “The nature of his [Simon’s] belief must remain uncertain. No doubt it was sincere as far as it went, but was very superficial and unsatisfactory. Jesus Himself, we are told in John 2:23f., attached little value to the faith that rested on miracles alone” (The Book of the Acts, p. 179). Arno C. Gaebelein wrote of Simon’s total misunderstanding of salvation: “Thy money perish with thee!” The sorcerer with his wicked heart thought that the Gift of God could be purchased with money. In this the aim was the Gospel itself. Salvation and all that is connected with it, including the Spirit, is the Gift of God, without money and without price; it cannot be earned nor bought. He had no part nor lot in this matter. And this is true of all who in the depravity of their hearts think of obtaining the power of God by what they do. He sees himself uncovered and exposed “in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity” in spite of his outward profession, his baptism and association with Philip. (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 152). Beloved, not every person you meet who says they believe in Jesus is a regenerate, born again believer. Of course we are NOT to be their judge, for that is God's purview Who Alone can see their heart. But if we see them say they believe in Jesus and yet continue to live like the devil, then we have reason and even a moral obligation to caution them to examine themselves as Paul warned the Corinthians Test (peirazo in the present imperative) yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine (dokimazo in the present imperative) yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test (adokimos)? (2 Cor 13:5+) Jesus the Judge of all mankind was very clear in His warning in Matthew 7. Notice his frightening "quantifying" adjective 'MANY!" (not few)... “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (Mt 7:21-23+) Comment - Constable's comments on Jesus' words are interesting in light of his belief that Simon's profession equated with possession of Jesus and the indwelling Spirit. Thus
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William MacDonald observes that "The utter lack of racial prejudice here is refreshing." (Believer's Study Bible) And said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" - Understand is ginosko and reading is anaginosko, a play on words. This is the boldness of a Spirit filled man! Philip a layman. The Ethiopian a royal official! That was no hindrance for Spirit emboldened Philip! (Acts 4:31+). O for just a touch of this man's boldness Lord. Amen! Jack Arnold writes "Notice carefully that Philip took the initiative. He tactfully asked a question, hoping that it would open an opportunity to witness for Christ. Had Philip waited for the Eunuch to ask him a question, he may never have had an opportunity to witness. In all of our witnessing experiences, we should seek to take the initiative to open the door for the Gospel. We should also be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that when He tells us to speak we will do it in obedience." A Personal Question - C. H. Spurgeon. - Acts 8:30-39 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand you what you read?… At our meeting for prayer and fasting last Tuesday, a brother, who was, I think, the best man amongst us, made a confession of cowardice, and we all looked at him and could not understand how he could be a coward, for a bolder man I do not know. He told us that there was a man in his congregation who was a wealthy man. If he had been a poor man, he would have spoken to him about his soul; but, being a wealthy man, he thought it would be taking too much liberty. At last one of the members happened to say to him, "Mr. So-and-So, have you found a Saviour?" and bursting into tears, the man said, "Thank you for speaking to me; I have been in distress for months, and thought the minister might have spoken to me. Oh, I wish he had; I might have found peace."