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Today's Little Lift

    by Jim Bullington

Simon Believed & Was Baptized (Acts 8:13)
Date Posted: August 3, 2020

Once saved, always saved is not a biblical doctrine. This doctrine is also referred to by some as the impossibility of apostasy as well as the perseverance of the saints. One New Testament example is adequate to prove that this doctrine is of men and not of God. Today’s devotional will examine this New Testament example. The setting is Samaria, the preacher is Philip the evangelist, and the time is after the scattering of the disciples in Jerusalem as a result of the persecutions that came upon the early church.

First we will go to the end of the story and work our way backward. As you may be aware, after Simon the sorcerer joined the disciples, he attempted to purchase miraculous powers which only the apostles could possess (see Acts 8.14-23). Peter rebuked Simon for his efforts; Peter’s words are as stern as are to be found anywhere in the Bible! For instance, he said, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” (Acts 8.21). Although I do not endorse the version or the wording here, I use it to show the degree to which some go in interpreting Peter’s rebuke. The Message has Peter saying, “To hell with your money! And you along with it.”

There simply can be no doubt that Simon was, at that point in time, in jeopardy of losing his soul. To further nail this fact down, consider Peter’s other words to him. “Your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8.21-23).

Looking at the matter from the perspective we have just examined, what would lead one to believe that Simon was anything but lost? Is there any evidence that he was ever saved? This is the pivotal question! As to the later state of Simon there can be no doubt; Peter clearly articulated the wicked and accursed state in which Simon was bound given his ungodly deed of attempting to buy miraculous powers. Was Simon ever saved? To this we now turn our attention.

Luke, the inspired historian, gives us the facts we need to answer this question. We quote: “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”(Acts 8.9-13).

What would cause one to believe that Simon had ever been saved? Let’s extend the question and ask what would lead one to believe that the other disciples in the story had been saved. Note that in verse 12, the Bible says that men and women believed and were baptized. In verse 13, the text says that Simon believed and was baptized. These are facts with which one simply cannot argue and still claim to believe the Bible. Now one additional statement and the case is closed! Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16.16a). Simon believed and was baptized; the others disciples in Samaria believed and were baptized. Conclusion: If Jesus’ words are true, Simon (along with the other disciples in Samaria) was saved at one point in time.

The impossibility of apostasy is not of God. Once saved, always saved is not of God. Let God be true and all men be found liars (see Romans 3.4)!

Questions:

1. What message had the Samaritans heard which caused them to believe and be baptized?

2. Why did Peter say that Simon could not purchase the gift which he tried to buy?

3. Who coupled belief and baptism as being equally related to salvation (see Mark 16.16)?

4. If a particular doctrine contradicts what the Bible teaches, can the doctrine be true?

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Biography Information:
Jim Bullington - A Christian writer whose insight into the scriptures is reflected in practical application lessons in every article. The reader will find that the Bible speaks directly to him/her through these articles. God is always exalted and His word is treated with the utmost respect in this column.
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