INFLUENCING NEWLY CONVERTED SOULS

Let’s take a minute this morning to understand Simon the sorcerer’s sin as a new convert.

As we recall in our last blog discussion, Simon was a well-known and famous man in the Samarian community for his mastery of performance with magical arts and witchcraft phenomena. But he had a sudden change of heart when he observed Philip, an evangelist of the gospel, come into his community preaching and speaking the truth concerning Christ.
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As Philip taught, the Samarian people had an encounter with Christ. As a result, miracles occurred; “for unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed” (Acts 8:7). An explosion of joy took place all across the city because of the love of Christ displayed by His authorized evangelist, Philip, who was setting the captive free (Luke 4:18).
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THOUGHT PROVOKING: Let’s take a minute to examine the text at Luke chapter 4, verse 18, and what it means for the Church today. Luke 4:18 reads

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free….”

When considering the main chapter, we are discussing – the book of Acts, chapter 8. We clearly see the positive effect Philip had on the atmosphere in Samarian, by preaching the gospel of Christ. He has caused a dramatic shift not only in the Samarian culture but also in the city’s atmosphere. We have to remember. For many years, Simon the sorcerer and others like him had created throughout the entire city of Samaria a gloomy atmosphere that was full of demonic entities and influences. Hence why the people were demonically oppressed and captive by numerous different physical, mental, and financial difficulties.

The entire city was being suffocated by smog in the atmosphere that was pouring out its spiritual venom among the people. Causing both good and evil to be captive by demonic oppression; physical, mental, financial, and spiritual disabilities. But upon the arrival of Philip and when he opened his mouth to speak the truth to the first soul in this community. Immediately, there was a shift in the atmosphere. The toxic smog that hovered over the city was finally lifting – moving away from the city. And as this smog lifted from over the city, a new cloud was entering into the land due to Philip’s presence. (Compare to Exodus 13:21). Resulting in the blind seeing, the lame walking, the lepers being cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead rising, the broken-hearted healed (Matthew 11:5).

But here is the key we must understand. The captive was not set free UNTIL an anointed vessel of Christ came into the village, who was handpicked by GOD HIMSELF. (Compare to 1 Corinthians 12:11). John 3:27 says it this way.
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“No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.”
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​Simon was not having the kind of influence and success Philip had because Simon did not receive what Philip received from heaven. So, while Simon was holding the people captive by means of his witchcraft and divination. Philip was setting people free through the preaching of the gospel which resulted in an outburst of miracles by means of GOD’s Spirit – HIS power.
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simon’s conversion
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Simon immediately noticed a dramatic difference between the type of gospel he was spilling upon the people to what Philip was sharing. What he observed led to his conversion and baptism. (Compare to Acts 8:12-13).

After his conversion, Simon begins to follow Philip in his ministry journey throughout Samaria. Resulting in him seeing firsthand, Peter and John’s display of GOD’s power being poured out on the people. As Simon observed the manifestation of GOD’s glory being poured out on the people through the apostles, John and Peter. Simon recognized that he lacked this kind of power.
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Now we are going to skip Peter’s initial response in verse 20. Instead, we are going to focus on Peter’s response to Simon at verses 21 and 22. It reads.
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“You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts….”
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1st We see as a new convert, Simon was denied access to receive the Promised, Holy Spirit. Here we can clearly see that NOT all newly converted individuals are granted access to the Spirit of the LORD at the time of their baptism. The Spirit of the LORD, Holy Ghost does not come and dwell in all baptized candidates as it is preached in most churches today. (A misconception many believers have. Many have been taught and believe that ALL Christians are endowed with HOLY SPIRIT. NOT TRUE and not in every case).

We also can see this is evident in the previous verses of Acts chapter 8. We read that Philip came to town and preached the gospel, to which, many men and women were amazed and got baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12-13). But none of those who were baptized had received Holy Spirit. (Compare to Acts 8:14-17).

Again, Simon was denied this privilege. Peter said to him, “you have neither part nor portion in this matter….”

2nd Peter explained to Simon why he was not being granted the Spirit of the LORD to dwell in him. He said, “… for your heart is not right in the sight of GOD.” Through Peter, GOD revealed that Simon was full of bitter jealousy and was being held captive by sin. (Acts 8:21, 23).
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Now, this is the part that is going to be hard for many of you to receive and even apply to, and in your own lives. Despite this fact, Peter was teaching all of us a very important lesson through Simon's problematic conversion. 
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​sidebar: Today, in the Church, we have far too many problematic conversions that are going unaddressed. Back to our discussion. 
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problematic conversions in the church
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Most people, at the time of their baptism, may have mentally decided to convert to the faith of Christ and have taken steps to serve GOD. But most of us have not completely abandoned our ways. That is, lying, jealous mentality, bitterness, unforgiveness, gossiping, all sorts of sexual sins, disrespecting authority figures, etc. (See also Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Corinthians 6:7-10).

It is obvious, that the Spirit of the LORD cannot come and live inside of us UNTIL we have reached a level of spiritual maturity where such things are not practiced or essential vice in our lives. [This will vary from person to person (see 1 Corinthians 6:11)].
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Here’s the point. Some of us, at the time of our conversion of faith, like Simon, our hearts are not right in the sight of GOD. Now GOD does not reject anyone, no matter what sin(s) we have committed or are doing (2 Peter 3:9). It is GOD’s desire that all of mankind is saved by HIS mercy and grace. But this still does not change the fact that some of us, especially newly converted individuals’ hearts are not right with GOD. Although they may declare that HOLY SPIRIT dwells with and in them. HE DOES NOT. Because just like Simon, something or things in their life is not right with GOD. As one Bible teacher put it to her former Bible student – “GOD (that is GOD’s Spirit) cannot live (or dwell) in mess.” That is an oxymoron. 
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SIDEBAR: This is not saying that these individuals do not belong to GOD. That is not what we are saying here. Because many of them do. But these ones are what the Bible refers to as children of GOD because of their immaturity and their constant world-like tendencies and behaviors. As well as their habits to mask many of their unfruitful behaviors and character flaws instead of properly allowing GOD to touch those sore spots in their lives and helping them to grow up.

Which leads us to the sons and daughters of GOD. These ones are the legitimate carriers of the Spirit of GOD. They are Spirit filled individuals because Holy Spirit dwells in these ones. 

repentance is always needed
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The final thing Peter said to Simon is “repent!” Repent of his wick behavior as well as pray to GOD for HIS forgiveness.
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Often time, new converts fail to properly do this because they do not see anything wrong with what they are doing or how they are living. Simon did not see 
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1. anything wrong with playing with any and all forms of dark arts
2. anything wrong with pouring his dark arts upon the people and creating the kind of atmosphere he did where demonic oppression can reside among and upon the people and over the community at large
3. anything wrong with offering a bribe to Peter and John
4. anything wrong with attempting to buy Holy Spirit – the power of GOD
5. anything wrong with manipulating Peter and John in an attempt to get what he wanted

​​Now, although we are talking about new converts here. But this does apply to seasoned saints, church leaders, and everyone in between as well. If we do not see the need to honestly examine ourselves, our hearts, the kind of spirits we are operating from, the kind of nature we are displaying and spilling or pouring out on others, in our community, and in the atmosphere, we will never receive the Promised, Holy Spirit. That is, the Spirit of the LORD, GOD’s power, that is promised to all and every Christian. 
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The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed (Isaiah 61:1).

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free… (Luke 4:18).
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…The blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me (Matthew 11:5-6).