Acts 8:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

NIV: Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

NASB: Now even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was repeatedly amazed.

CSB: Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.

NLT: Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

KJV: Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

NKJV: 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.

Philip, a Jesus-follower and one of the first deacons of the church, has fled Jerusalem because of growing persecution (Acts 6:1–6; 8:1–5). He has come north to Samaria and preaches the good news about salvation through Jesus to the Samaritans. To authenticate his teaching, the Holy Spirit empowers him to expel demons and heal the paralyzed and lame (Acts 8:7). In response, the people believe every word and the city is filled with joy (Acts 8:8).

But Philip is not the only person in town with supernatural abilities. A man named Simon has entranced the people for some time with his magic (Acts 8:9–10). The difference is that Philip's miracles are signs. They specifically indicate that his power is from God, not demons—the only other source of supernatural power. Philip's power is so great, even Simon believes. But what does he believe?

One Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus dealt with a similar situation. "Many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing" (John 2:23), but Jesus knew their understanding was incomplete. They may have believed He was the Messiah, but they didn't know who the Messiah truly was and what He had come to do. Another time, after He fed the five thousand, the people declared Him to be the Prophet whom Moses had promised. But Jesus knew they weren't interested in the submission and repentance that would reconcile them to God; they wanted to make Him king because He could feed them (John 6:14–15, 26–27).

James explains that there is a difference between "belief" and the faith that leads to salvation (James 2:19). Even though Simon is baptized, his approach to God, spirituality, and obedience (Acts 8:18–19) suggest he might not have a truly saving faith.

Acts 8:9–25 further describes the apostles' pursuit of Jesus' plan to bring salvation to those He chooses. Simon, a popular and presumably wealthy sorcerer, sees Philip's miracles. He especially notices the way the Holy Spirit comes on people when Peter and John lay their hands on them. Simon offers to buy their power. Meanwhile, Peter and John are in Samaria. The thought of Samaritans following Jesus goes against longstanding Jewish traditions. Yet the Samaritans are accepting Christ, and these messengers of the church are there to see the Holy Spirit come on them. God is not impressed by worldly popularity or wealth but on repentant, submissive hearts.

Jesus told the apostles they would spread the gospel (Acts 1:8) and persecution makes that happen. Upon the death of the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54–60), a young Pharisee named Saul builds on the momentum to arrest and, if possible, execute Jesus followers (Acts 8:1–3; 26:10). The apostles mostly stay in Jerusalem, but the church members flee, spreading the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Important encounters in this passage include a magician named Simon and the conversion of an Ethiopian court official.

Acts 1:8 gives the outline of the book of Acts; Acts 1—7 describes the spread of the gospel through Jerusalem; Acts 8:1—11:18 shows the gospel spreading in Judea and Samaria; Acts 11:19—28:31 sees the gospel spread to the ''end of the earth,'' finalizing in Rome. Ironically, although Paul is the central figure in spreading Jesus' good news to the ends of the earth, his early persecution of the church in Jerusalem is instrumental in spreading the gospel through Judea and Samaria.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.