Let’s Talk About … Simon The Sorcerer

Let’s Talk About … Simon The Sorcerer

Every generation of people has had to contend with deceivers, fakers and those who love and leave their lives just to deceived the simple. Today, this kind of men often push "religion" as a means of making merchandise of the brethren and "by covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words" 2 Peter 2:3… “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…”

One of the greatest stories of conversion in the book of Acts deals with a con-artist called Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:5-13). • Prior to his conversion, Simon would have made a good televangelist. • He could have had his own TV show and felt right on home on stage with several noble preachers of our day. • Simon had everything going for him. • His credentials as a "faithhealer" would have been impressive.

Ac 8:5-13… Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God.“ 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Simon Made Great Claims… Simon claimed "that he was someone great" (Acts 8:9). 9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,

Look at the differences between Simon the Sorcerer and Philip: One preached himself, the other preachedChrist. One man amazed his audience with "sorcery," while the other man performed genuine miracles by the Spirit of God. One man had to rely upon gulliblepeople, the other man called forfaithin the Son of God. This really is the difference between the religion of Jesus Christ and the superstitions which the world calls religion.

The same truths had before been stated in Samaria by our Savior Himself John 4:4-5… “But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Maybe this is why they gladly received the word (John 4:39-42). The field had been prepared by Jesus Himself—He said the fields were "already white for harvest" John 4:35… “Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! It is in this field that Philip enters and is blessed in his labor.

Simon Drew Large Numbers Of People. • The people of Samaria "all gave heed" to Simon (Acts 8:10). • 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God.”

Many people want to be a part of the "mega-ministries." • > Large numbers are not wrong by themselves. • > Oral Roberts built the largest hospital owned by any church. • > Jim and Tammy Bakker built the third largest theme park in America • Many would be impressed with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-22).

1Ki 18:17-23… Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?“ 18 And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. 19 "Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.“20 So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Just because a preacher has a large following does not mean his message is pleasing to God… • Matt. 18:20… “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." • Simon the sorcerer had a large following, but he was a thief!

Simon Had Many Influential Followers… Simon's followers came from all classes of people, "from the least to the greatest" (Acts 8:10). “to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God.”

Some people get real excited when a famous politician or Hollywood star is a member of “their” church. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35… “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Christ did not promise popularity Matt. 10:22… “And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

The New Testament church was composedof former prostitutes, drug users, adulterers and homosexuals 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Jesus rejoiced when sinners came to Him Luke 15:1-7 Not many "noble"people will come to Christ 1 Cor. 1:18-26… Simon had "great" people follow him, but he was a charlatan!

Simon Could Offer Moving Testimonials The Samaritans said, "This man is the great power of God" (Acts 8:10). “to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God.”

If you dared to question the claims of Simon he would have supplied you with a list of people willing to give personal testimony about his ability. Every witch doctor in Africa and every Voodoo priest in Haiti can supply you with a list of references of people they "healed.” What does it prove?

What about his audience? Were they all liars? God allows Satan to blind the eyes of some John 12:39-40… “39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." 2 Cor. 4:4… “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

What about his audience? Were they all liars? God will allows people to believe a lie 2 Thes. 2:9-12… 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. When an honestly mistaken man sees that he is mistaken, he either ceases to be honest or he ceases to be mistaken!

Simon Could Perform Astonishing Feats • Simon was able to "astonish" his audience with his feats (Acts 8:11). • 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

Simon's with his Houdini-like powers amazed the people. Like many "faithhealers" today, he could probably cure everything from headaches to vertigo (2 Thes. 2:12). 12, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Of course, Simon could not make the lame to walk, the blind to see or raise the dead like the apostles did (Acts 3:6; 9:40). "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds" (2 Cor. 12:12).

Simon Had Been A Long Time Resident Of Samaria Simon was not a newcomer to Samaria, for he had been able to fool people "for a long time" (Acts 8:11). • 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

Perhaps as long as five to seven years. Around 27 A.D. Jesus had been to Sychar (near the city of Samaria). It is possible that Simon arrived in just after Jesus left, and finding people still influenced by the Master, he capitalized on their excited feelings for his own purposes.

Some people believe longevity in a town is proof that God is with you. • Some even brag that their church established the town. • Simon was a long time resident of Samaria, but he was an impostor!

Just because a church makes great claims, has a large number of influential members, offers moving testimonials about astonishing feats and has existed in town for 50 years—that is no proof that God is with them. Simon had all of this and more! Young people, don't allow yourself to be influenced by these things. Conclusion

We are happy to report that when Simon saw the genuine power of God, he, along with many others, gave up on his religious scam (Acts 8:12-13). Conclusion We are 8,000 miles and 2,000 years removed from the church established in Jerusalem in the second chapter of Acts, but we can become what they were by doing what they did (Acts 2:38-42).

God is not going to force you to obey the truth—He will allow you to believe a lie. 2 Thes. 2:11-12… “saved.11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. May The Lord Bless us All Conclusion

Let’s Talk About … Simon The Sorcerer