Acts 8:13

And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

'SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED'-

Points to Note:

'His amazement (and belief) is proof that he saw, as the people did, the distinction between miracles and his own tricks..' (McGarvey p. 140). Simon's faith is. strong endorsement to the credibility of Philip's miracles. For Simon knew all the tricks of the trade, he could spot. fellow imposter. The same thing happened centuries before in Egypt (Exodus 2:19). Hence, both Luke (the writer and. physician), and Simon (an expert magician) testify that Philip really did work miracles.

If it wasn't for the doctrine of once-saved, always-saved, probably very few would even question Simon's sincerity. For Simon is. monkey-wrench in that doctrine, i.e.. Christian who was in danger of losing his salvation (Acts 8:20). Hence most Calvinists argue that Simon was never really saved in the first place, i.e. his faith was insincere. In response: (a) McGarvey reminds us, 'it should be observed that the words, "Simon also himself believed", are written not from Philip's point of view, but from Luke's. Philip might have been deceived by pretended faith; but Luke, writing LONG AFTER THE TRANSACTION, and with all the knowledge of Simon's later career...says he believed..' (p. 141) (b). have always been amazed at the glaring contradiction that Calvinists overlooked when they make the above argument. On one hand they insist that. person is saved at the moment of faith. Yet, in Simon's case, Simon not only believed, he was baptized, and continued with Philip--and yet they argue, 'but he was never really saved in the first place.' Now are you saved at the moment of faith or not? (c) Reese notes, 'Luke plainly shows by the use of "even" (Acts 8:13)..that there was no difference between the faith of Simon and the faith of the other Christians in Samaria..Not only did he have the kind of faith that motivated him to action and obedience, but he continued in the fellowship of Philip, the preacher.' (p. 322) (d) And may we add. That Simon had more faith than modern Calvinists, for he accepted what the Lord had taught concerning baptism (Mark 16:16)!

'CONTINUED WITH PHILIP'-'constantly in Philip's company' (NEB). No one was more amazed than Simon. He knew (from experience), that Philip was doing things which no man could do--without real Divine power.

'BEHOLDING'-Which suggests that Simon was personally present when Philip healed people.