Compare Simon's attitude in Acts 8:18 with Ananias and Sapphira's in Acts 5. Setting the Scene • Acts 8 opens with the gospel spreading to Samaria through Philip, where a former sorcerer named Simon professes faith and is baptized (Acts 8:9-13). • Acts 5 records the earliest days of the Jerusalem church, where believers were freely sharing possessions and “there was not a needy one among them” (Acts 4:34). Into that atmosphere step Ananias and Sapphira. Simon’s Request and Heart Posture (Acts 8:18-24) “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me this authority as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands will receive the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 8:18-19) • Sees the Spirit’s power as a commodity to purchase. • Motivated by desire for authority and prestige reminiscent of his former life as a sorcerer (Acts 8:9-11). • Treats the gift of God as something controllable. • Peter exposes the root: “your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:21). • Commanded to repent; no immediate death, but a stern warning: “You are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity” (Acts 8:23). Ananias and Sapphira’s Scheme (Acts 5:1-11, selected) “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds of the land? … You have not lied to men, but to God.’ ” (Acts 5:3-4) • Sell a piece of property, secretly keep part of the money, yet present the remainder as the full amount. • Seek public admiration for generosity without genuine sacrifice (contrast Acts 4:36-37). • Their sin is deliberate deception, not mere withholding. • Immediate judgment: both fall dead, producing “great fear upon the whole church” (Acts 5:11). Shared Heart Conditions • Love of money over love of God (1 Timothy 6:10). • Desire for status among believers (Matthew 6:1-4). • Attempt to manipulate spiritual reality for personal gain—whether power (Simon) or reputation (Ananias and Sapphira). • Failure to grasp the holiness of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4; 8:20). Key Contrasts " " Simon " Ananias & Sapphira " "---"---"---" " Primary Goal " Acquire the ability to impart the Spirit " Appear extravagantly generous " " Method " Offers money openly " Conceals money deceitfully " " Apostolic Response " Rebuke, call to repentance " Immediate divine judgment " " Outcome " Opportunity to repent (Acts 8:24) " Physical death (Acts 5:5, 10) " God’s Immediate Response • Both receive a public, apostolic confrontation exposing hidden motives (Hebrews 4:13). • Severity varies, yet purpose is identical: protect the purity of the newborn church and exalt the Spirit’s sovereignty (Galatians 6:7). Take-home Truths • The Holy Spirit cannot be bought, manipulated, or deceived. • God evaluates hidden motives, not merely outward acts (Proverbs 16:2; Psalm 24:3-4). • Financial dealings in the church are spiritual matters; dishonesty is a direct affront to God. • Mercy toward Simon shows repentance is possible; swiftness toward Ananias and Sapphira warns that presumption can invite immediate judgment. • “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). |
    |