But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
      Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
      Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
      For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

      Oh my word! How mean spirited!

      This comment was addressed to a man by the name of Simon. Simon was one of the most spiritual men in the city of Samaria.

      Philip the Evangelist had gone to Samaria preaching Christianity. The response was overwhelming. Simon, a civic and spiritual leader of the community was swept up in the fervor. Philip, seeing how well things were going, called for Peter and John to come to his aide.

      When Peter and John joined in the Samaritans began to experience a Holy Ghost outpouring like that of Pentecost. Simon saw that this experience occurred whenever Peter or John put their hands on people and prayed. Simon offered to back the new church financially if Peter would only let him help with distributing the gift of the Holy Ghost.

      Peter response was the judgmental tirade above. Typical, isn’t it?

      Simon was a spiritual man (the Bible itself says so). True, he was not a part of Peter’s organized religion. So, it seems safe to say his standards were not Peter’s standards and visa versa. Simon was not asking for Peter’s help or his opinion. On the contrary, he was himself offering assistance.

      The result was Peter turned on Simon; stingingly rebukes Simon as a sinner and tells him he had better repent. Peter’s approach would be roundly condemned by today’s society as bigoted, mean-spirited and completely clouded by hate.

      Let’s look closer.

      Did Peter judge Simon? Yes, he did. The line from the Sermon on the Mount says: “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Most are content to stop there.

      But, read the next line: “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” This sounds to be a great deal like: love your neighbor as yourself-- and it is.

      It also sounds like the rebuke Peter heard from the lips of Christ when Peter suggested Christ not be crucified. It was a rebuke that did Peter a world of good. The rebuke itself was intended for that purpose…and succeeded.

      Peter acting, as did Jesus, from love, rebuked the evil notion that gripped Simon’s heart and offered the sorcerer forgiveness and redemption. No standard was imposed on Simon, but a new one was offered. Simon’s eyes were opened to new possibilities. Simon was free to accept or reject Peter‘s offer.

      Lacking a conversion experience, Simon was excluded from a role in Christian ministry. This is in accord with Christ’s and still true today. The Kingdom of God is the exclusive domain of those who accept Christ as Savior.

      It is worthwhile to note that while the Kingdom is exclusively for Christians; the Church is not. Everyone is invited to enter into the fellowship of Christ. The Bible says most will decline. They are to be invited nonetheless.