Acts 8:9

But there was. certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

'CERTAIN MAN'-A real person.

'SIMON BY NAME'-Simon was. very common name among the Jews. 'The early church fathers have written much about this man, some of their accounts being highly imaginative; but nothing is certainly known of him more than what Luke tells us in this place.' (Reese p. 319)

'SORCERY'-3096. mageuo mag-yoo'-o; from 3097; to practice magic: -use sorcery.

Point to Note:

'The practice of witchcraft has always been. substitute for divinely revealed religion. Involved some more and some less, would be all these occultic practices--astrology, fortunetelling, spiritism (alleged communication with the souls of the dead)...and many others..' (Reese p. 320)

The Bible very strongly condemns any participation in such things (Galatians 5:20 'sorcery'; Deuteronomy 18:10; Exodus 2:18). We should be impressed that servants of God often encountered those who were "experts" in such things, and in every case the individuals who claimed occult powers failed miserably (Exodus 2:19; Daniel 2:1 /5; Acts 13:8; Acts 19:13).

'AMAZED THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA'-People haven't changed. Even in our own 'modern' times, people are just as gullible to believe the claims of faith-healers, or those who assert they can contact the dead. Consider the number of people that will flock to some individual who claims that they can "channel" for the illustrious dead. 'kept the Samaritan people thrilled' (Wms).

'GIVING OUT THAT HIMSELF WAS SOME GREAT ONE'-'who made great pretensions' (Gspd); 'pretending to have great powers' (Knox)

Point to Note:

Notice the difference in "motive" between Simon and the Apostles. Simon wanted to be viewed as some "great one", the Apostles wanted to be viewed as ordinary men (Acts 3:12; Acts 10:26; Acts 14:14). Simon wanted self-glorification, the Apostles desired that men glorify God. Simon was only concerned with "Simon Incorporated", the Apostles were only concerned with the growth of the Kingdom of God.