Dake Bible Discussion BoardWas Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

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luchnia
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Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by luchnia »

In Acts 8 we find an interesting story about a man named Simon. Simon was involved in sorcery but became a believer through Philip and was baptized. Some of the people there believed Philip and were baptized. Simon ask for the ability to lay hands on others so they can receive the Holy Spirit. Nothing is stated as to whether these folks believed the gospel or not, but that they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. One would tend to think they did.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Simon offers them money:
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.


Now this is most interesting. Peter addresses Simon, but does not cast any evil spirit out of him, nor even as much as says he has an evil spirit. What Peter does tell him shows us that one can be influenced by evil and not have an evil spirit, just as Dake teaches in GPFM.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Peter tells Simon that his heart is not right in the sight of God. This is amazing!
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Peter tells Simon to repent of his wickedness and ask God to forgive the thought of his heart. Peter's perception is that Simon is in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

So since there was no evil spirit possessing Simon, was this simply a case of evil influence? In the end Simon does ask Peter to pray to God for him.


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branham1965
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by branham1965 »

+weights +skipRoap +situps +jumpingDude
Last edited by branham1965 on Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:34 am, edited 3 times in total.



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luchnia
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by luchnia »

Elymas the sorcerer (Act 13) was another man that an evil spirit was NOT cast out of. Paul spoke directly to Elymas and not a spirit. This simply goes to show you that men can do evil without being possessed by an evil spirit.

Just as Peter was influenced by satan, men can be influenced. Men can be ignorant of truth, men can be influenced by other men, men can be influenced by doctrines of devils, and so on it goes. There is so much in God's word on this subject.


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branham1965
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by branham1965 »

Reverend Dake notes on Acts 8:9-23

notes b,c,d,e,

note f " This man (Simon)had great supernatural power

note g Magical arts (note b Luke 12:29)

h,i,j,k,l .

Acts 13:6-12 notes f through q are about Elymas.



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luchnia
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by luchnia »

luchnia wrote:Elymas the sorcerer (Act 13) was another man that an evil spirit was NOT cast out of. Paul spoke directly to Elymas and not a spirit. This simply goes to show you that men can do evil without being possessed by an evil spirit.

Just as Peter was influenced by satan, men can be influenced. Men can be ignorant of truth, men can be influenced by other men, men can be influenced by doctrines of devils, and so on it goes. There is so much in God's word on this subject.
Peter even told Ananias, "satan hath filled thine heart" yet Peter did not cast any evil spirit out of Ananias' or Sapphira. Yep, men can certainly do what satan influences them to do without an evil spirit involved. When you think about it, many men today are doing just that and no evil spirit is on the scene to cause them to do the evil they often do.

We would do well to find the balance in understanding devils and not go off half-cocked like the demon hunters BS of today such as Larson and others that see a demon behind every kitchen appliance and every time someones slightly off kilter they see a demon.


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branham1965
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by branham1965 »

What do you think of Reverend Dake's notes on this???




luchnia wrote:
luchnia wrote:Elymas the sorcerer (Act 13) was another man that an evil spirit was NOT cast out of. Paul spoke directly to Elymas and not a spirit. This simply goes to show you that men can do evil without being possessed by an evil spirit.

Just as Peter was influenced by satan, men can be influenced. Men can be ignorant of truth, men can be influenced by other men, men can be influenced by doctrines of devils, and so on it goes. There is so much in God's word on this subject.
Peter even told Ananias, "satan hath filled thine heart" yet Peter did not cast any evil spirit out of Ananias' or Sapphira. Yep, men can certainly do what satan influences them to do without an evil spirit involved. When you think about it, many men today are doing just that and no evil spirit is on the scene to cause them to do the evil they often do.

We would do well to find the balance in understanding devils and not go off half-cocked like the demon hunters BS of today such as Larson and others that see a demon behind every kitchen appliance and every time someones slightly off kilter they see a demon.



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luchnia
Shall Not He that Spared Not His Own Son Freely Give Us All Things?
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Re: Was Simon possessed, or influenced, by an evil spirit, or other?

Post by luchnia »

branham1965 wrote:What do you think of Reverend Dake's notes on this???




luchnia wrote:
luchnia wrote:Elymas the sorcerer (Act 13) was another man that an evil spirit was NOT cast out of. Paul spoke directly to Elymas and not a spirit. This simply goes to show you that men can do evil without being possessed by an evil spirit.

Just as Peter was influenced by satan, men can be influenced. Men can be ignorant of truth, men can be influenced by other men, men can be influenced by doctrines of devils, and so on it goes. There is so much in God's word on this subject.
Peter even told Ananias, "satan hath filled thine heart" yet Peter did not cast any evil spirit out of Ananias' or Sapphira. Yep, men can certainly do what satan influences them to do without an evil spirit involved. When you think about it, many men today are doing just that and no evil spirit is on the scene to cause them to do the evil they often do.

We would do well to find the balance in understanding devils and not go off half-cocked like the demon hunters BS of today such as Larson and others that see a demon behind every kitchen appliance and every time someones slightly off kilter they see a demon.
I think Dake was right. It was a careful and planned deception. I believe they both had this planned out and Peter had the discernment needed to call it out. If it had not of been carefully planned, I think there would have been more chaos in this when his wife answered Peter.

I don't get the thought that it was a spur of the moment thing. My guess is that they had a plan on what they were going to do with the money they held back and this could also indicate they did not trust God for the abundance (simply speculation here).

Notice Acts 5:2 where it states about Ananias wife, "And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet."


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