He also commanded Simon to repent and pray God and “perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.” This has led to the sin of trafficking in sacred things and buying or selling ecclesiastical favors being called simony after Simon. When Simon saw this, he offered Peter money for the power to give the Holy Spirit in this way. Hence, there must have been a visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit – probably one or more of the gifts mentioned 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given. At first sight, this seems to disagree with Acts 2:38 and Acts 5:32 where those who obeyed the Lord were given the Holy Spirit. Yet, this giving of the Holy Spirit produced a visible sign, which the gift of the indwelling Spirit does not. Up until then, the Spirit had not fallen on any of them. Note in particular his fascination with the miracles he saw, miracles that had led the people of Samaria to quit following him and instead to follow Philip’s teaching about the Christ.Īfter the apostles heard of Philip’s work in Samaria, they sent Peter and John, who prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw” (verse 13). It is noteworthy that “ Simon himself believed and was baptized. The people also had called his “power” the Great Power, before they responded to the gospel taught by Philip by believing and accepting baptism. Simon is sometimes called “Simon Magnus” from the Latin for Great – because he boasted he was someone great prior to the time Philip came into Samaria preaching in the name of Jesus and working miracles. What is discouraging about Simon’s response? In Acts 8:5-25 Peter rebuked Simon for trying to buy power. Worldview Resource Directory (PDF) – Developing a Christian Worldview.
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