Religious Thieves and Simonites

In Acts 8:9-24, Simon the Sorcerer was a very popular worker of magic.  He was drawn to Christianity, not because of the essence of its message, but because of the powerful effect it had on people.  He recognized that there was more to the Gospel than just a message.  There was supernatural power in the vessels God sent to proclaim the Gospel, because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  He wanted that power, not to please and obey God, but because he wanted to take his “smoke and mirrors” show to a higher level.  I do not believe that Simon desired to be free from his sins, or to surrender to God.  He merely coveted a power greater than the trickery that he employed to deceive people.

Simon came to Peter offering money, not for the gift of the Holy Spirit, but for the ability to give people the Holy Spirit (19^th verse).  Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, recognized immediately the intent of Simon’s heart and rebuked him.  He exhorted the sorcerer to repent.  However, God’s word does not say that the sorcerer repented.  Instead, he pleaded with Peter to pray for him so that rebuke would not come to fulfillment.  That proves that Simon did not have a relationship with God, and thus no confidence to repent and plead forgiveness.

Just as many professing Christians today, who want to be free from the consequences of their sins, but are unwilling to repent sincerely of their sins. Had Simon been truly saved, it would have never crossed his mind to purchase the ability to “give” people the Holy Spirit.

I believe the spirit of Simon is working in Christianity today.  It is clearly evident in the “Elmer Gantry” types who clog television channels, faces shining with greed.  They sell miracles.  I watched two men, Mike Murdock and David Cerullo, on different occasions offer to sell the favor of God.  One of them even offered 1000 times the favor of God for $1000.00.  Some would call that simony.  However, Simon did not offer to sell the favor of God.  He offered to purchase power so that he could “give” people the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, the act of simony would have been committed by the ones who sent their money to Murdock and Curello.  (By the way, I could not physically or spiritually survive 1000 times the favor of God.  No doubt I would explode and die with delirious joy.)

This begs the question, “What should those who sell the gifts of God rightly be labelled?”  They are correctly called thieves when they sell the favor or gifts of God (Matthew 21:12-13).  They are not common thieves, who because of a corrupt nature steal material things.  They are religious thieves who embody the nature of Satan, who sought to steal God’s throne.  It is obvious that they have no respect for sacredness.  As blasphemers of the Holy Spirit, they callously disregard the implications of their thievery and brazenly market sacred things.

No one has the authority of their own volition to give anyone a gift of God.  Individuals that claim to have that authority are as Simon intended to be.  The gifts of God are free, but He gives them only to whom He will.    They cannot be bought or given to people indiscriminately.  If one attempted to use such a “gift,” he or she is inviting demon spirits to operate in and through his or her life.

Another great concern is that conferences and conventions selling the gifts of God also train mostly unqualified people how to use them.  There are schools of Prophets, schools that teach people how to raise the dead, how to interpret dreams, to speak in heavenly languages, and schools that flagrantly impart supernatural gifts.  They purport to have the wisdom and authority to teach people how to use them.  Other conferences advertise that attendees will discover and receive their gifts and callings.  They promise to help people discover their destiny, and to equip and train them for it.

Those conferences, schools, and seminars, etc., are also nothing more than “Simony” events conducted by thieves.

The problem is that none of the recipients of those “gifts and callings” are vetted as true Christians, so any charlatan can come in and learn how to pretend and deceive.  Some of those people watch religious television and fantasize that they should be able to do what they are observing.  I’ve known people on medication for personality disorders, very unpredictable and unstable, people with illusions of grandeur, etc., who head off to conventions to get their “gift” or anointing and approval for a presumed “gift.”  There may be individuals attending that are living in rebellion against God, are immoral, demon-possessed, or otherwise completely unqualified and incapable to minister.

The local churches and pastors would know those things.  However, it appears to be of little concern to the conference hosts and participants.  A registration fee is the only qualification for “receiving” a gift or calling, learning how to be a prophet, or absconding with some other supernatural ability.  They go away from the conference and are unleashed on a community.  The conference organizer(s) and participants do not have to deal with the consequences.  Pastors and members of the local churches do.  They will have a “Simon” in their midst.

I remember an instance when a young woman in our church with Tourette syndrome attempted to lay hands on people who were praying at the altar.  If someone had asked if she was qualified to be in ministry, I would have said, “Not under any circumstances.”  However, at the conferences they are accepted without question.  No one asks their pastor if they are qualified or requests a letter from the pastor stating their qualifications.

What Peter refused to do they have no compunction about doing.  They masquerade as skilled and God-gifted individuals, but they are deceivers birthing a hoard of “Simonites.”  In the process they are taking away the responsibility of the local church to identify and train those who are qualified to minister.  In Ephesians 4 God’s word declares that the five leadership offices are for such equipping and training.

“Simon” events are so accepted today that the thieves involved rise up in indignation that anyone would dare question their enterprise.  Further, so much occurs today that is unbiblical that it is difficult to get people to see it for what it is and reject it.

Sometimes in life we have to fast and pray, shake off the religious barnacles, and reestablish our foundation on God’s word.

People had better get it right before they enter eternity.  It will be impossible to make it right then.  We need to consider that just because many people are doing it does not make it right.  We must be right in the eyes of God.  In my opinion there will be people who were involved in large ministries standing before the judgement astonished that they are found guilty.  Consider the man who came to the wedding feast without a wedding garment.  Who was he?  He was called, “friend,” but cast out because of his lack of a proper garment. So go the thieves of sacred things and the “Simonites” that they enable.

So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. – Matthew 22:12