A Tale of Simon The Sorcerer

       The desire of God for us is to go into every nook and cranny of the world with the Good News, calling people to repentance and making disciples of all men! Every tool we need to do this successfully has been given to us. As we see the imminent return of our LORD Jesus Christ, it is sad to note that there are many who have crept into the fold, claiming to be disciples but are not: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvellous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4, NLT).

     These have come with cleverly crafted messages, using God's Word as a premise and sprinkling the salt of demonic messages on top, such that the congregations cannot see the error, save for a few. Many of such men have become leaders, ministers and preachers of thriving ministries. These are the ones that boast about the things of the world as a yardstick to gauge the growth of ministries. These have become a stumbling block to many unsuspecting genuine disciples of Christ. 

        This is not new! The Bible tells us about Phillip, one of the seven deacons that were selected, including Stephen, to take care of the daily needs of the growing Church, while the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer and preaching ministry (Acts 6:1-6). When the persecution started in Jerusalem, Phillip left and went to the City of Samaria to preach the Good News. Many believed him, especially when they saw the many miracles he performed by the power of the Holy Spirit in their midst. Many came to Christ including Simon, a sorcerer. He was known as "the Great Power of God" because of the many sorceries he astounded the city with. Like those who believed, he was baptised into the name of Jesus Christ and immediately started following Phillip: "Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed" (Acts 8:13, NLT). This means he became a disciple, presumably to learn of the Master Jesus through Phillip. 

         When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the City of Samaria had heard the Good News and believed, they sent Peter and John to them to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. When they came, and Simon, the sorcerer turned Disciple, saw how they laid hands on the people and they received the Holy Spirit, he offered to pay them some money so he could have the same power (Acts 8:4-25). 

         Beloved, today, so many become followers of Christ, rise to become leaders, preachers and even elders in the Church but still carry the heart and mindset they had before coming to Jesus Christ. These ones have refused to surrender their minds to the LORD to be renewed despite the fact that we were told to: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2, NLT). These copy the patterns of the world in all they do. They desire to display their wealth and live as the people of the world do, but look for Scriptures to excuse these ungodly behaviours. These are the ones that take articles from men of God they admire with the hope that the 'power' that is at work in such men will operate in them. These ones go as far as offering money to their targets as seed, sleeping on grave sites, and houses of their targets. 

        These are not different from their ancestor, Simon the Sorcerer: "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8: 18-19, NLT)! Their desire to have this power, like Simon, was to fulfil their lustful desire for power, affluence and fame! No wonder the Bible tells us: "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth" (Philippians 3:18-19, NLT). 

     Any wonder that these 'disciples' brag about things of the world that we ought not to be preoccupied with? They brag about the number of congregants they have and how much money they have in their accounts. They are always measuring themselves by themselves! Pray do tell; when Jesus was on the Cross, how many of 'the large congregation' remained? These are the ones that have refused to prepare their congregations for the test that the Church will go through in this end-times! Sadly, many follow them to their ruin: "Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered" (2 Peter 2:2, NLT). 

        Beloved, if truly you are a Believer of Christ, it is time to awaken from your slumber and learn Jesus Christ for yourself like the Berean Christians, because of the many 'fluff errors' that are being poured out in the name of revelations and display of flesh will not help you when the chips are down! Jesus is coming! And He is coming with His reward, whether we are ready or not! Also, note that the enemy is equally preparing to unleash mayhem as The Day draws closer. 'Fluff errors' will not stand the onslaught of darkness, only the Truth of God's Word will stand and defeat it! 

      Finally, study the Word for yourself, so that when the day of testing comes, you will overcome and still remain STANDING! May God help you to "Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, AMP). God bless you.