Musings about Acts 8:21
Contemplating the minds of those witnessing Jesus and his disciples perform miracles is truly fascinating. Some observers, yearning for healing, watched in hope, while others, captivated by the power, desired to wield it themselves.
In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, Phillip journeyed to Samaria where a magician named Simon was thoroughly impressed by what he sees. Having attempted to stun people with his own magic, Simon, when encountering a power that surpassed his own, eagerly sought a share and was willing to pay money to receive it. The disciples, discerning his misguided intent, sternly reprimand him for lacking a right heart.
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Acts 8:21 (ESV)
I find this passage really interesting because I think it would be really cool to have the powers that Phillip had. What is so wrong with wanting to heal people and cast out demons? How wrong is it to offer money to gain these types of powers? Is it really all that different from paying money to go to med school and learn healing?
In the end it boils down to the concept of right vs. almost right. Simon wanted the power to bring glory to himself and not to God. The disciples had a right heart, but Simon did not and needed to be called out for his almost right attitude. In the end, it was Phillip’s decision that having this type of power would add to the wickedness of Simon’s heart. Simon needed to spend some serious time in repentance, prayer, and reflection, and Phillip called him to do just that.
Read: Musings about Discernment: Right vs. Almost Right
This begs us to introspect into our own lives. If you are a Christian and are trying to do good deeds in the name of Christ, what is your motivation? Are you trying to achieve your goals through almost right or unethical means, or are you trying to bring the glory to God?
When we observe these types of poor choices from other Christians, sometimes we look at Matthew 7:1 and tell ourselves we should not judge, but this is taken slightly out of context and flies in the face of what Phillip did in Acts. Phillip’s response to Simon tells us that it is okay to be involved in correcting the wrong practices of other Christians.
Judge not, that you be not judged.
Matthew 7:1 (ESV)
To help solidify this, Matthew 18:15-17 tells us that there is nothing wrong with noticing a poor behavior in another Christian and calling them to repentance.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17 (ESV)
How can we be like Philip and shine some light into our own lives and the lives of other Christians? How can we joyfully follow Jesus while keeping a pure and right heart?
Reflection Questions
- Service to Christ: Name some of your current or prospective ways of serving Jesus. Evaluate the methods employed in these endeavors.
- Purity of Actions: Assess the purity of your actions and motives. Do they align with biblical teachings? Is the goal God’s glory or personal recognition?
- Correction and Repentance: If flaws are identified, consider corrective measures in alignment with scripture. Is repentance and prayer needed?
- Dealing with Unethical Requests: Reflect on instances where fellow Christians have urged unethical actions. How did you respond?
- Calling to Repentance: Explore ways to emulate Phillip in calling fellow believers to repentance and prayer.
Reflective Prayer
Use Acts 8:21 as a starting point for prayer using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication
- Adoration: Praise God. Does this verse bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this verse bring any specific sins to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this verse inspire gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this verse inspire a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
Respond
As you consider the theme of having a right heart, what thoughts or Bible verses has this exploration stirred in you? Your insights are valuable, so feel free to share them in the comments below!
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English Standard Version (ESV): Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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