The Trickster

A man named Simon had previously practised sorcery in hat city and astounded the Samaratin people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, and they said, "This man is called the Great Power of God!" They were attentive to him because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptised. Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptised, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.
When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had welcomed God's message, they sent Peter and John to them. After they went down there, they prayed for them, so the Samaratins might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet come down on any of them, they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that they Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands of the apostles, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."
But Peter told him, "May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money. You have no part or share in this matter because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. Acts 8:9-23

History tells us that in the post-apostolic era, Simon the magician was well known as a heretic and was pro-gnostic. Not a good outcome!

Simon was not genuine and Peter picked up on this, he obviously discerned the man's true spirit. He was used to being the centre of attention, performing amazing acts and probably deep down, wanted to have these new tricks in his tool box. Yet the Holy Spirt is not a trick, He is the presence of God and not to be fooled with.

There has been a time in America especially, when it was popular to be thought of as a 'born again believer.' However, being born again is a daily decision to follow Christ and lay down our own lives and take up our cross and follow Him. It is not about tricks and illusions, nor is it about popularity. Amen!

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