The Possibility of Apostasy (6)

(Acts 8:5-25)

Mike Johnson

Many passages teach that a child of God can fall from grace.   Among them is Acts 8:5-25, which describes the conversion of the people of Samaria and a sorcerer named Simon.  Many responded to Philip’s preaching and became Christians.  Verse 12 says they believed, and Philip baptized them. Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved….”  Thus, belief and baptism are two conditions for salvation.  Verse 13 points out that Simon also believed and was baptized, and then he “ . . . continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”  Eventually, Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon the people (vs. 14-17).  Upon seeing them do this, Simon offered  money and said, “…Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  Peter then rebuked Simon very sharply and told him his heart was not right in the sight of God.  He said, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (22).

Most agree Simon was in a lost state based on what Peter told him (20-22).  So,  we have a man becoming a Christian, committing sin, and then becoming lost.  The “once saved, always saved” supporter will generally object at this point by saying Simon was not really a Christian at all—he just pretended to be.

Indeed, a person sometimes may say he believes but not be a believer.  We cannot read a person’s heart.  However, Simon was not such a person.  In verse 13, Luke is not just expressing an opinion about Simon.  Instead, we have “INSPIRATION” (the inspired Scripture), saying Simon believed, so we know he did.  Please note further how that Simon did what the Samaritans did: Simon believed and was baptized. Consequently, he was a saved person who became lost.