Simon Magus and Practice of Sorcery

By Nick Bibile

Syncretism is reconciliation of opposing principles and practices of philosophy and religion. This would be the first incident in the N.T where we see the element of Syncretism was practiced by Simon Magus. The word ‘simony’ comes from Simon Magus; it means the practice of selling and buying ecclesiastical services.  Purchase of spiritual office through money came from Simeon, which is called simony.

Was Simon Magus a believer? It depends on which commentary you read. Most modern commentators believe he was a believer, however older writings show he wasn’t. I tend to believe the older writers.

Justin Martyr, in the 2^nd century AD called that Simon used demonic forces to imitate Christianity, reporting that he performed wonders by demons in Rome during the reign of Claudius (AD 41-54) Iranaeus, in the late 2^nd century AD, stated that Simon was the source of all heresies, he was usually associated by the early church with some of the Gnostic heresies. There are other Christian literature shows that Simon was a fake and an antichrist. Peter strongly rebuked Simon and Simon told Peter to pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” That’s the end of Magus we hear in the New Testament, if Simon truly repented and became a believer I would presume that we would hear of him. Remember some who practiced sorcery in Ephesus truly repented by burning their books in public. So I would believe if Simon truly repented we would know.

Acts 19:19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Simon and his Sorcery

Sorcery is supernatural power by the aid of demons. It was practiced during the ancient times and even today. During the time of Exodus we know Pharaoh’s magicians practiced sorcery also king Nabuchchednesser’s men practiced sorcery as we read in the book of Daniel. Paul said whoever practice sorcery will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:20) Sorcery is totally opposite to Christianity as it is an evil abominable sin against God, it is totally demonic. Simon was able to astonish people with his sorcery, he was looked up as someone great as people were deceived and many looked up to him. However Simeon believed the message of Philip and became a believer.

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. (Acts 8:9-13)

I personally believe here we see not a true believer but a fake believer; Simon was more interested of seeing the miracles and signs, which were done. He saw there was another power, the power of God, which was greater than sorcery. See Acts 8:6

When Peter and John arrived, Simon wanted to purchase this power with money.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8:18-23)

Peter rebuked Simon sternly and told Simon to repent of his wickedness. Peter saw the root of his sin as his heart was not right with God, he had a divided heart, one for sorcery, he was a very prideful man as people looked up to him as a great man, on the other hand he wants more power for the wrong reason, the motive was evil, may be he was looking for success of his business instead of denying himself and carrying the cross. We know salvation is of the Lord and tells him to repent so God will have mercy and grace upon him as he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.

Deut 29:18 Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.

Heb 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

Practice of sorcery today.

Revelation 9: ²⁰ But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 18: ²³ The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.

Revelation 21: ⁸But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

Revelation 22: ¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

New Testament Greek word for sorcery or witchcraft is ‘pharmakia’ which sounds like pharmacy or pharmaceutical since our English word derive from that Greek word. We believe sorcery has to do with witchcraft and demonic power but we forget to understand it also has to do with taking mind control drugs like marijuana and other strong drugs, which makes you a drug addict, or any mind control drug.

Sometimes we think the Bible is talking only of mind control illegal drugs like marijuana. I believe it could be speaking of mind-altering prescription drugs that are taken unnecessary. Personally I would not even take an Advil unless it is really necessary. In the past I would take an Advil or a similar product even for a slight headache, not anymore.

There are people who refuse to change their eating habits and they would eat as usual and they depend on drugs, this is a sin.

Authorities investigating Cho Seung-Hui, who murdered 32 at Virginia Tech in April, reportedly found "prescription drugs" for the treatment of psychological problems among his possessions. Joseph Aust, Cho's roommate, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch Cho's routine each morning had included taking prescription drugs.

Meanwhile, the list of killers who happened to be taking psychiatric medications is long and chilling. Remember these headline names?

• Patrick Purdy's 1989 schoolyard shooting rampage in Stockton, Calif., was the catalyst for the legislative frenzy to ban "semiautomatic assault weapons" in California and the nation. The 25-year-old Purdy, who murdered five children and wounded 30, had been on Amitriptyline, an antidepressant, as well as the antipsychotic drug Thorazine.
• Kip Kinkel, 15, murdered his parents in 1998 and the next day went to his school, Thurston High in Springfield, Ore., and opened fire on his classmates, killing two and wounding 22 others. He had been prescribed both Prozac and Ritalin.
• In 1988, 31-year-old Laurie Dann went on a shooting rampage in a second-grade classroom in Winnetka, Ill., killing one child and wounding six. She had been taking the antidepressant Anafranil as well as Lithium, long used to treat mania.
• In Paducah, Ky., in late 1997, 14-year-old Michael Carneal, son of a prominent attorney, traveled to Heath High School and started shooting students in a prayer meeting taking place in the school's lobby, killing three and leaving another paralyzed. Carneal reportedly was on Ritalin.
• In 2005, 16-year-old Native American Jeff Weise, living on Minnesota's Red Lake Indian Reservation, shot and killed nine people and wounded five others before killing himself. Weise had been taking Prozac.
• In another famous case, 47-year-old Joseph T. Wesbecker, just a month after he began taking Prozac, shot 20 workers at Standard Gravure Corp. in Louisville, Ky., killing nine. Eli Lilly, which makes Prozac, later settled a lawsuit brought by survivors.

With the numbers of people taking prescription psychiatric medications in the tens of millions and growing every day,

1 Corinthians ²⁷But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.