![]() Peter concludes by calling Simon to repentance (Ac 8.22). the Gospel? Peter concludes in the same verse: “thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” This is certainly clear. Does he mean Simon has no part in The Word, i.e. Even stronger is verse 21: “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter:” The word translated matter is λόγος logos, usually translated word. The word perish means “consigned to destruction.” It can mean, according to Thayer, “in particular, the destruction which consists in the loss of eternal life, eternal misery, perdition, the lot of those excluded from the kingdom of God.” It is not clear that this connotation is meant, but nonetheless, this is a strong rebuke. He begins, “May your silver perish with you,” (20). Peter’s Strong RebukeĪnalyzing Peter’s rebuke of Simon (Ac 8.20-23) increases our doubts concerning Simon’s faith. This seems in marked contrast to the rest of the people: they are paying attention to what Philip said he is paying attention to what Philip did (Ac 8.13). Regardless, he offers money to Peter so that he might get in on the secret and be able to convey the Spirit to whomever he likes. His interest is piqued as a professional magician. 15, 17 - Again, we are not told how this was obvious to onlookers.) Immediately they pray for the people to receive the Holy Spirit and begin laying hands on believers so that they are receiving the Holy Spirit. In any case, the apostles came in the persons of Peter and John, representing the whole group (Ac 8.14). (The text doesn’t tell us how Philip knew this.) Perhaps this prompted Philip to call for the apostles’ assistance. ![]() The absence of the Holy Spirit is a problem. Apparently, none of them received the Holy Spirit (Ac 8.16), so in every respect, at least outwardly, Simon is just like all the other professing believers in Samaria. He is baptized (Ac 8.13), just as the Samaritan believers are baptized (Ac 8.12). He believes (Ac 8.13) just as the Samaritan public believed (Ac 8.12). What kind of belief did Simon have? The statement of Simon’s conversion and baptism offer no clues. Men come to Christ out of a multitude of circumstances, but all who come to Christ come in response to the gospel message. The attraction, then, according to the Scriptures, was the Word of God. Actually, the impact of Philip’s ministry was so great that Simon, himself, believes (Ac 8.13). The people turned their attention from Simon (Ac 8.10) to what Philip said (Ac 8.6) - from a person to preaching, from a magician to a message. Luke gives us a key distinction, however. Was it simply a matter that someone had “out-magiced” Simon? After all, Philip’s mighty deeds would certainly draw a crowd and get attention. In Acts 8.9-13, Luke says that Simon was so amazing the people called him “the Great Power of God.” His magic had their attention. When the people followed Simon, it was due to his magic (μαγεύω mageuo) activity. There was “much rejoicing in that city,” Luke reports. The paralyzed and the lame walked, those possessed of unclean spirits experienced dramatic deliverance. A notable feature of the Samaritan evangelism was the signs that accompanied Philip’s preaching. ![]() The first part of the account is the synopsis of Philip’s evangelistic efforts in Samaria, Acts 8.5-8. Was Simon Magus a Christian? We don’t know for sure, but examining the question gives us insight into questions some professing believers ought to ask themselves. In the passage, Luke takes leave of Simon with a cryptic quotation that leaves us wondering. Peter sternly rebuked him and called on him to repent. The whole scene was so powerful that Acts 8.13 tells us Simon himself “believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip.” Later, as Peter and John came to Samaria to aid in the ministry, he offered to purchase the power of laying on of hands so that people could receive the Holy Spirit. When Philip arrived preaching the good news of salvation in Christ (and accompanied by real signs and miracles of healing) many people abandoned Simon and came to Christ. Until Philip, the evangelist came to town, that is. He made his living (undoubtedly a lucrative one) by astounding fellow-Samaritans with magic arts. Simon Magus is the name for a man also called “Simon the sorcerer” in Acts 8. ![]()
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