Simon the magician, Simon Magus or sorcerer was a Samaritan who practiced sorcery and amazed the local people claiming to be great. After believing at the preaching of Philip he was baptized . Some time later Peter and John came to Samaria and on arrival prayed that the newly baptized receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them. When Peter and John laid their hands upon them they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this he offered the Apostles money to buy this power. Apparently Simon never had hands laid on him because Peter perceived that Simon was bound by bitterness and iniquity. Peter told Simon that he had no part or share in the ministry because his heart was not right before GOD.
This is an example of a person being baptized but not fit to receive the Holy Spirit. I would think there were others who were baptized that were also not right with GOD. Because of the unique circumstances involved Simon did not receive the spirit even though he was baptized. I do not think that GOD, who is all knowing, would have done so. Simon was never converted. Today because of the worldwide deception, people who are converted, are Cornelius Christians because they receive the spirit first and then are baptized. Anyone that GOD knows is unfit wouldn’t be given the spirit in the first place. The only exceptions to this are the beast and false prophet and apparently are used by GOD in this way because GOD knew their fate even if they were not the beast and false prophet. This is similar to Judas Iscariot who was prophesied to betray Jesus. Judas would have done so anyway so GOD allowed it to happen. I think that this is the way GOD has operated from the beginning. GOD knew Lucifer would sin, that Adam would sin and all humanity would sin and did not stop any of it as it all would fit into HIS will that HE worked out in eternity. When you know all things in advance and you have all, power it’s easy to work out your will around any obstacle to make all things, even evil things, work together for good. This is what Romans 8:20 says;
“For the creation was made subject to vanity and futility, not willingly, but that the same might be subjected in hope.”
GOD knew that any other beings HE would create would be inferior to HIM and would have the potential to turn evil but HE still created them all. GOD didn’t willingly do this, that is allow the potential for evil, but of necessity to fulfill HIS will. GOD also gave hope to humanity that their creation would have the hope of becoming like HIM. This hope is the message of the gospel that HE sent Jesus to preach. Therefore, all humanity must choose by their own free will whether or not submit their will to GODS will, as Jesus did, so that GOD can change us to become like Jesus who was like HIM. Humans must desire this with all of their being in a total commitment to become GODS property to do with as HE wills.
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