This is Alpha, the first-born, when he was 2YO.
This is Beta, the second-born, when he was about 2YO.
This is Gamma, the third-born, when he was about 18MO.
Simon the Sorcerer
Nov
6
2019
A recent Bible study question asked if Simon the sorcerer from Acts 8 was a true believer. A lively discussed ensued, with me and one other guy saying yes and most other people saying no.
I had various reasons, but I thought of this one later so I’ll share it now.
Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2, emphasis mine
In some circles, people declined to answer the question, saying it wasn’t their role to determine that. I think that fits with my thinking, which is that it is better to err on the side of grace and give people the benefit of the doubt, because that’s how I would want them to treat me if the tables were turned.
A couple days after that, Some Wife brought up the fact that Kanye West had released a Christian album. Alpha had already downloaded the album (due to poor internet at our house, people here have to download music and videos for offline viewing rather than stream things, and the downloading is best done somewhere else) and so he Bluetoothed it to the van’s radio while we were driving back from a cross country meet. While that was playing, we debated the topic of if Kanye was a Christian releasing an album or a non-Christian releasing an album for Christians. No son, don’t listen to his older songs.
As we were talking, I made the connection from Kanye to Simon the sorcerer. Are we judging Kanye by the standards we hope to be judged by? I thought it fit quite nicely.
Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
Acts 8:13
This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:05 am and has been carefully placed in the Life category.
