![]() The sorcerer’s interest in obtaining supernatural power for his own use had not vanished. According to Bible Scholars Barbara Thiering and Hans Jonas, Simon Magus was the founder of the. Luke notes that Simon stayed close to Philip and paid close attention to the miracles performed through him. Commentary on Acts of the Apostles (Parts I. He apparently realized that someone greater and more powerful than himself had come, so he joined the crowd. As for Simon, Luke says he also believed and was baptized. There was a sorcerer named Simon, he became very famous among the people performing magic. In fact, the verb “baptized” in the Greek indicates continuing action both men and women were coming to faith in large numbers. They accepted his message and committed themselves to Christ by requesting baptism. The people lost interest in Simon and paid more attention to Philip. Whether the Samaritans realized it or not, spiritual warfare had broken out in their city. Thus, Jesus is portrayed as the King in the kingdom of God. “The name of Jesus Christ” refers to the full revelation of the Son of God, including His earthly ministry and divine office. “The kingdom of God” refers not just to the Gospel but to the kingship and sovereignty of God in this world in opposition to the powers of Satan (which Simon displayed). When Philip arrived, he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus. Despite grave theological errors, the Samaritans did believe in one God, so they apparently thought of Simon as God’s representative. They were astonished by his powers and agreed that he was a great man, even having the power of God. In this case, it appears Satan was using Simon to blind the Samaritans to the truth. 21:8 22:15), for they do not originate with Him and frequently are used to oppose His work. The Bible is clear that these practices are unacceptable to God (Deut. This apparently was the kind of trickery Pharaoh’s mages performed in opposition to Moses. In Samaria, there was a man named Simon who made himself out to be someone great because he could astound the people with magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, This man is rightly called the Great Power of God. What we see here is not a contest between two men for public acclaim but a battle between two kingdoms for the souls of the people. 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. That’s why what at first glance seems to be an insignificant vignette about a magician is actually of crucial importance. This helps me to not try to give other people’s testimony, but let them give their own.The success of the Gospel in Samaria was not achieved without opposition. Simon heard the Gospel, saw the miracles, gave a profession of faith in Christ, and was baptized, but not born again. We have just seen how close a person can come to salvation, and still not be truly saved. ![]() There is no evidence that he repented and sought forgiveness. However, it appears that he was more concerned about avoiding judgment then in getting right with God. Simon, perhaps fearful of Peter and afraid of the consequences of his own behavior, did ask Peter to pray for him. When Peter and John arrived on the scene they saw the true state of Simon’s heart, and told him in no uncertain terms that he needed to repent of his wickedness (vv. Counterfeit Christianity brings an atmosphere of gloom the real thing radiates joy. It brought, as a natural consequence, a joy that the Samaritans had never known before. ![]() Christianity has never been a faith of words only. It brought the story of Jesus, the message of the love of God in Jesus Christ.We must note what Christianity brought to these people: We know very little about Philip, but he was one of the architects of the Christian Church. However, it appears that his faith was not in the Word of God, but in the miracles he saw Philip perform. ![]() In fact he even professed to believe, and was baptized (v. Simon seeing this great miracle, and perhaps fearful of losing his following, offered to buy this power, thinking it would enhance his sorcery. Many of the Samaritans listened to Philip’s messages, believed on Jesus Christ, were born again, and as evidence were baptized (v. When Philip came along preaching Christ it was evident that he was empowered by God, and that Simon started to lose his following. Simon Magus (Greek, Latin: Simon Magus), also known as Simon the Sorcerer or Simon the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation. He practiced witchcraft, and because of his ability to exercise control over nature and people through his demonic power, many people thought he was great (vv. Satan’s tool in this passage was a sorcerer named Simon. Wherever God sows His true believers, Satan sows his counterfeits.
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