Gloriographs by Rick Reynolds

⁹ Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. 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.” ¹¹ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. Acts 8:9-13

Simon, a magician who was well known among the “smallest and the greatest” in Samaria, who was called “the Great Power of God,” believed Philip’s teaching and was baptized.

He “continued on” with Philip, and as he observed the “signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.” The word “continued” carries a sense of “unremitting persistence” in his observation, or put in common language, he was always “looking over Philip’s shoulder.”

But reading on, we get the sense that Simon was less interested in his new faith than he was in the business model. In other words, he was scheming how he might be able to use this “shtick” in his act.

But first some background. What Philip was doing in Samaria was tapping into the Samaritan’s root belief in the Pentateuch (the first five books penned by Moses) and the promise of a Messiah. Jesus also planted seeds in the region with his encounter with the woman at the well. Read below.

39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:39–42

So the people were open to the message and responded in belief, but had not received the Holy Spirit. It was important in this case for the Apostles to endorse this new “Jesus Movement” and they sent them Peter and John. This endorsement came with the provision of the Spirit through the laying on of their hands.

While Philip was effective, Simon was now witnessing true “professionals” in action. They had the total package and he coveted their toolset. For these powers he “offered money.”

“Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:19

This attitude and the offer of money set off Peter, who saw right through him. Simon was not a true believer but an opportunist, wanting to gain notoriety and profit off Christianity.

21 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”Acts 8:21–23

Here are some takeaways.

First, we all should understand that Peter’s keen perception of Simon’s motivations and the status of his heart is a window in on how God sees all of us all the time. Remember Jesus knew everything there was to know about the woman at the well. “He told me all the things that I have done.” It’s similar to the machine we step through to board a plane.

Second, we will indeed profit from genuine salvation, not by our actions but our afflictions, and not with money but with an eternal weight of glory.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17

Third, we must be aware that there can be and there are false teachers with false motives among us.

Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1.