Act 8:9 | KingComments | STEP | Before Philip came to Samaria, there was a man active who brought the people into ecstasy. He did this through magic. He was also not modest in his performance, but presented himself as “someone great”, someone of importance. [While I read this comment again, I get a postcard in the mailbox, which shows that people like Simon are still very much alive. The card says among other things: I am a great African medium and clairvoyant ... I offer you a solution for all your problems ... but also protection against bad influences ... I help you ... I bring success.’ This slave of satan certainly does not suffer from an inferiority complex.] With his magic, Simon turned his attention to himself, and with success. He got everyone’s attention. He appealed to everyone, he appealed to small and great, young and old. Everyone was impressed by him and attributed divine power to him. His sorceries were wonders of the lie ( ). Nor was it a hype, a star suddenly appearing and just as suddenly disappearing again. On the contrary, he continued to fascinate the people “for a long time”. At the same time, it shows that what the devil has to offer is always only for a certain time. It never satisfies constantly. The gospel, on the other hand, has a lasting effect. This is what the people who listen attentively to Philip and pay attention to his preaching discover. When they did not know any better, they were captivated by Simon’s magic. But when they see the wonders of Philip, they clearly see the difference between fake and real and that real and fake have nothing to do with each other. “What does straw have [in common] with grain?” ( ). Simon preached himself, Philip preaches the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God is the atmosphere in which the reign of the Lord Jesus is acknowledged. Faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus brings someone into that sphere. That is why baptism follows directly as an outward evidence through which someone shows that he wants to belong to Him and follow Him. Men and women are baptized. In the Old Testament only what was male was circumcised. In the New Testament, when it comes to saving and following Christ, there is no difference anymore between men and women before God ( ). Receiving the Holy Spirit, as was the case in Acts 2 ( ), is not yet mentioned here. They receive the Holy Spirit only after Peter and John have come from Jerusalem and identified themselves with them by the laying on of hands. God does this consciously this way. For there was a religious rivalry between Jerusalem and Samaria and this does not give them a chance to do a disturbing work. Simon also believes and is also baptized. He does not see a rival in Philip, but his superior. Simon constantly remains with Philip, as if he had his hopes set on him. With the eunuch this is different ( ). Simon’s faith is of the kind mentioned in John 2 ( ). Philip lets himself be deceived by Simon and baptizes him (or has him baptized). What really drove Simon were the signs and great powers that Philip did. Likewise, there are many today who are attracted to the Christian faith because of the sensational things they observe on certain occasions, such as healings or so-called prophecies.

‏ Acts 8:9

Simon the Magician

Before Philip came to Samaria, there was a man active who brought the people into ecstasy. He did this through magic. He was also not modest in his performance, but presented himself as “someone great”, someone of importance. [While I read this comment again, I get a postcard in the mailbox, which shows that people like Simon are still very much alive. The card says among other things: I am a great African medium and clairvoyant ... I offer you a solution for all your problems ... but also protection against bad influences ... I help you ... I bring success.’ This slave of satan certainly does not suffer from an inferiority complex.]

With his magic, Simon turned his attention to himself, and with success. He got everyone’s attention. He appealed to everyone, he appealed to small and great, young and old. Everyone was impressed by him and attributed divine power to him. His sorceries were wonders of the lie (2Thes 2:9). Nor was it a hype, a star suddenly appearing and just as suddenly disappearing again. On the contrary, he continued to fascinate the people “for a long time”. At the same time, it shows that what the devil has to offer is always only for a certain time. It never satisfies constantly.

The gospel, on the other hand, has a lasting effect. This is what the people who listen attentively to Philip and pay attention to his preaching discover. When they did not know any better, they were captivated by Simon’s magic. But when they see the wonders of Philip, they clearly see the difference between fake and real and that real and fake have nothing to do with each other. “What does straw have [in common] with grain?” (Jer 23:28b). Simon preached himself, Philip preaches the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ.

The kingdom of God is the atmosphere in which the reign of the Lord Jesus is acknowledged. Faith in the Name of the Lord Jesus brings someone into that sphere. That is why baptism follows directly as an outward evidence through which someone shows that he wants to belong to Him and follow Him. Men and women are baptized. In the Old Testament only what was male was circumcised. In the New Testament, when it comes to saving and following Christ, there is no difference anymore between men and women before God (Gal 3:27-28).

Receiving the Holy Spirit, as was the case in Acts 2 (Acts 2:38), is not yet mentioned here. They receive the Holy Spirit only after Peter and John have come from Jerusalem and identified themselves with them by the laying on of hands. God does this consciously this way. For there was a religious rivalry between Jerusalem and Samaria and this does not give them a chance to do a disturbing work.

Simon also believes and is also baptized. He does not see a rival in Philip, but his superior. Simon constantly remains with Philip, as if he had his hopes set on him. With the eunuch this is different (Acts 8:39). Simon’s faith is of the kind mentioned in John 2 (Jn 2:23). Philip lets himself be deceived by Simon and baptizes him (or has him baptized).

What really drove Simon were the signs and great powers that Philip did. Likewise, there are many today who are attracted to the Christian faith because of the sensational things they observe on certain occasions, such as healings or so-called prophecies.