12/30/2023 0 Comments Lesson on simon the sorcerer![]() 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. There is no record in the NT of a later repentance on Simon’s part, and it may therefore be assumed that he remained unconverted.Simon Magus is the name for a man also called “Simon the sorcerer” in Acts 8. ![]() 24) “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” He showed by the nature of his request that he is not moved by genuine repentance but simply by fear from reaping the consequences of evil. Peter told him, “Thy silver be together with thee, for perdition…And Peter exhorted him to “Repent…and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (v. Such conduct revealed the wicked character of his faith and his wrong motives 18), hoping that he would be able to purchase what he had not freely received. So, he offered money to Peter and John (v. 17), he desired the power that such possession would bring. When he saw that his fellowers were being endowed with abilities far greater than his own (v. Simon was baptized by Philip ( v.13) but the apostles’ hands had not been laid upon him, and he had not received the Spirit. While the people were won by Philip’s preaching, Simon was attracted by the wonders that he saw. And although he got baptized, he remained still in “iniquity” (Acts 8:23). Although he accepted Philip’s statements, he failed to develop a personal faith. 6) he felt himself to be in the presence of a Power infinitely higher than his own. And Simon was impressed by the miracles that Philip did (v. ![]() … He represented himself, in a word, as being the loftiest of all powers.”īut the power of Philip’s message proved stronger than the fascination of Simon’s magic (v. 348) says of Simon Magus that “he was glorified by many as if he were a god. 10), for every class of people believed in him. His deceptions met with great success (v. Simon bewitched the people and amazed the population of Samaria who were superstitiously impressed by the so-called miracles (v. “Magic” refers to the arts practiced by the Magi of the East, who claimed to be enchanters, astrologers, diviners, and interpreters of dreams. He was known for using sorcery or one “who formerly was practicing magic in the city” (Acts 8). This man is usually spoken of as Simon Magus, “sorcerer,” or “magician.” According to Justin Martyr (First Apology 26) he was born at Gitto, a village of Samaria.
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