When A Brother Falls Back Into Sin (Men Mark Tumandan)

Falling back into sin is one thing that every soul needs to careful, the reason there is a need to encourage one another, help one another, and rescue one another in the damnation of hell.

There are so many admonitions in the Bible about apostasy, falling back into sin.

In New Testament

One incident is the case of Simon the Sorcerer. The record of Apostle Luke to Theophilus as guided by the Holy Spirit revealed that Simon believed the preaching of Philip about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, in fact Simon was baptized (Acts 8:9-13)

"Then Simon himself believe also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

Simon knew that he was just tricking, deceiving the people of Samaria of his so-called miracles thus he could see the difference between the truth and the lie, the real and the fake.

As we trust the word of Jesus "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" Mark 16:16, we can conclude that Simon was saved after his baptism.

In fact Simon continued with Philip after his baptism.

But the opportunity of seeing the wonderful works of God became the opportunity for Simon to fall back into sin. He tried to bribe the Apostles to have the power of laying on of hands.

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

The intention of Simon is "that whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost" verse 19.

It seems it is good but if granted then one can conclude when he had the power of laying on of hands through bribing it from the Apostles, then whomever he would lay of hands then there should be money involved.

Thus there would be a cycle of corruption, bribery.

Preacher should be careful of this kind of corruption. When he recommends a fellow gospel preacher for support, then there should be no percentage of money involved. When there is a legitimate needs, there should be no opportunity to do sin by cutting the money intended for the needs.

Simon Was Rebuke

Thus there would be a cycle of corruption, bribery.

Apostle Peter immediately rebuke Simon "Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money".

Peter added "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God."

The rebuke of Apostle Peter followed by a love of a brother, a spirit of Christ to save all men. Peter in verse 22 said " Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."

It means there was a chance for Simon to be with the Lord again, to be saved again, to have fellowship with the Apostles again, only he needed to REPENT. What a great love!

When a brother is fallen  back to sin, what should we do?

1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)

2. Jesus commanded that "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." 

There were brethren who had fallen back to sin, fallen through mishandling benevolence, false reports, and worldly things.

They need to be rebuked and admonished to REPENT.

There are times when a brother falls back to sin, the one who converted him is being malign as if he has participation of his sins. 

When a Filipino preacher falls back to sin, mishandled the Lord's money with deliberate intention to deceive the saints, then his fellow Filipino preachers and the US preachers who recommended him also being affected of practicing corruption. IT SHOULD NOT BE.

Peter did not blame Philip about the sin of Simon. When Philip baptized Simon, Philip did it heartily for the Lord.

Warning

Proverbs 24:17 "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:" 

It is forbidden to rejoice when an enemy is fallen how much more when he is a brother in the Lord. 

Christians should not rejoice over the sin of his fellow brother "Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;" 1 Cor. 13:6