“Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. The magicians in Pharaoh’s court imitated Moses (Exo. 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).Ĥ. Like many “faith healers” today, he could probably cure everything from headaches to vertigo (2 Thes. Simon’s sleight of hand and Houdini-like powers amazed the people.Ģ.
Simon was able to “astonish” his audience with his feats (Acts 8:11).ġ. Si mon C oul d Pe rf orm Ast onis hi ng FeatsĪ. Simon could offer you testimonials, but he was a flimflam man! When an honestly mistaken man sees that he is mistaken, he eitherĬeases to be honest or he ceases to be mistaken!Į. God will allow people to believe a lie (2 Thes. God allows Satan to blind the eyes of some (John 12:39–40 2 Cor. What a bout his audience? Were they all liars?ġ. Every witch doctor in Africa and every Voodoo priest in Haiti can supply you with a list of references of people the “healed.” What does it prove?ĭ. With a list of folks willing to give personal testimony a bout his ability.Ĭ. If you dared to question the claims of Simon he would have supplied you The Samaritans said, “This man is the great power of God” (Acts 8:10).ī. Si mon C oul d Offe r M ovi ng Testi monialsĪ. Simon had “great” people follow him, but he was a charlatan! Not many “noble” people will come to Christ (1 Cor. Jesus rejoiced when sinners came to Him (Luke 15:1–7). The New Testament church was composed of former prostitutes, drug users, adulterers and homosexuals (1 Cor. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34–35).ĭ. Some people get real ex cited when a famous politi cian or Hollywood star is a member of their church.Ĭ. Simon’s followers came from all classes of people, “from the least to the greatest” (Acts 8:10).ī. Si mon Ha d Ma ny Infl ue ntial Foll owe rsĪ. Simon the sorcerer had a large following, but he was a thief! Just because a preacher has a large following does not mean he message isĮ. Many would be impressed with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:17–22).ĭ. Jim and Tammy Bakker built the third largest theme park in America C. Oral Roberts built the largest hospital owned by any church.ģ. Large numbers are not w rong by themselves.Ģ. Many people want to be a part of the “mega-ministries.” 1. The people of Samaria “all gave heed” to Simon (Acts 8:10).ī. Si mon D rew La rge Numbe rs Of Pe opleĪ. Simon made great claims, but he was a fraud!
It is in this field that Philip enters and is blessed in his labor.ĭ.
The field had been prepared by Jesus Himself-He said the fields wereĤ. Maybe why they gladly received the word (John 4:39–42).ģ. The same truths had before been stated in Samaria by our Savior Himself (John 4:3–5).Ģ. Philip went into the region of Samaria to preach Christ-to preach that the Messiah had come and to make known his teachings.ġ. Superstitions which the world calls religion.Ĭ. This really is the difference between the religion of Jesus Christ and the One man had to rely upon gullible people, the other man called for faith in the Son of God.Ĥ. One man amazed his audience with “sorcery,” while the other man performed genuine miracles by the Spirit of God.ģ. One preached himself, the other preached Christ.Ģ. Look at the differences between Simon the Sorcerer and Philip:ġ. Simon claimed “that he was someone great” (Acts 8:9).ī. In this lesson we want to notice some of the things a bout his “religion” and theĪ. His name “Simon” suggests he was of Jewish or Samaritan origin. He is known and “ Simon Magus” or “Simon the Sorcerer.”Ĭ. There is nothing more known for certain about this man other than whatī. The early “Church Fathers” wrote much about this man-some of their accounts are highly imaginative.Ī.
His credentials as a “faith healer” would have been impressive.
#LESSON ON SIMON THE SORCERER TV#
He could have had his own TV show and felt right on home on stage withĭ. Prior to his conversion, Simon would have made a good televangelist.ī. 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).Ī. Merchandise of the brethren and “by covetousness they will exploit you Today, this genre of men often push “religion” as a means of making A century ago they came in the fo rm of rain-makers and snake oil salesmen. Every generation of people has had to contend with charlatans, con-artists, flimflam men and hucksters.Ī.
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