Simon the Sorceror

Introduction

Acts 8:1–25 LEB

1 And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering house after house, he dragged off both men and women and delivered them to prison. 4 Now those who had been scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word. 5 And Philip came down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard him and saw the signs that he was performing. 7 For many of those who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them, crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 Now a certain man named Simon had been in the city practicing magic and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. 10 They were all paying attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’ ” 11 And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. 13 And Simon himself also believed, and after he was baptized he was keeping close company with Philip. And when he saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was astonished. 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then they placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 19 saying, “Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could acquire the gift of God by means of money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!” 23 For I see you are in a state of bitter envy and bound by unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.” 25 So when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Pray

The death of Stephen was just the beginning it ushered in a movement of persecution by the Jews and the Romans. Satan trying to eradicate the truth of Jesus Christ, But it forced the people to flee and they took their faith with them.

Spreading it even farther. The persecution of the church may have been the best thing that happened to it. Spreading it to the nations as the people scatter

Among those who scatter is Phillip. Who went down to Samaria and he took the Holy Spirit with him. Doing mighty works in the name of the Lord: Teaching, Healing, And with shrieks, the evil spirits left people. Sounds like a horror movie.

As Phillip is witnessing and making the demons shriek Simon the sorcerer comes and witnesses the wondrous works of Phillip. Simon is known through history as a heretic. Irenaeus speaks of him as the father of Gnosticism. Tertullian tells of Simon’s being honored with a statue in Rome on which was written: “to Simon the Holy God”. He was a man of Great Power and use to being the center of attention because of his great power.

Where did his power come from. Well if not from God, Then has to be Satan. They are not equal Satan is not the opposite of God. Another created being. But Satan can endow people with power. The passage says that Simon believed and was baptized. I am sure he did. He believed with his head. He believed what he saw, But he had no faith.

No saving belief.

John 2:23–25 LEB

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name because they saw his signs which he was doing. But Jesus himself did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people, and because he did not need anyone to testify about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Speaks of a man who only believes because of the miracles.

That is the kind of person Simon is. Simon just wants to gain more power. In order that he may be the center of attention again. But that isn’t what God is.

God doesn’t let us be the center of attention. To God be the Glory.

But to man be the Glory is the attitude that our society actually encourages today. Society idolizes and encourage fame and grab as much attention as you can. Through whatever means necessary: Magic, Sex, Power, Preaching, Whatever. We have hole societies made about it. Online, on film, in print.

Want are names to be known and to be made into gods, We desire to be that which we can’t be. And this is what Simon was trying to be. A powerful person so he could be his own god.

Halloween is a great example of this. We dress up as things that we are not. Idolize things and beings. Putting on their powers and their position for just one night. Now hear what I am not saying. Not saying don’t have fun on Halloween. Don’t take kids trick or treating. What I am saying is that we need to realize where this need comes from.

We have a desire to be famous. To be known on whatever level. And this is not what we are called to be. We are called to point others to Christ, not ourselves.

Lots of people come to Christ with the attitude of what it will do for me: Save me, Bless me, Heal me. All these things are true, But it’s a matter of motive.

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Why do we do what we do?

Come with selfish goals. Then really worshiping self. Just like Simon.

Come to give God the Glory.

Along with this is the question of why am I here? Am I here out of Habit, or expectation, or Family? Or our you Here for God.

Why do I give: To Get, Because it is expected, or is it for God.

How are you going to live your life?

How are you going to come before God? For your Glory or the Glory of God. IN all that we do: Time, Tithe, Work

In all that we do

What are your Motives?

pray