Bible Figure
Simon Magus
Simon Magus, or Simon the magician, was a Samaritan practitioner of magic who professed belief and was baptized after Philip preached Christ. He later offered money to Peter and John in an attempt to obtain the power associated with the giving of the Holy Spirit and received a severe rebuke.
Biography
Acts 8 says Simon had long amazed the people of Samaria with magic and had promoted himself as someone great. The people even called him 'the Great Power of God.' When Philip proclaimed the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women were baptized, and Simon himself believed and was baptized, continuing with Philip in amazement at the signs he saw. When the apostles Peter and John came from Jerusalem and prayed for the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands. He offered them money and asked to receive the same power. Peter responded sharply that Simon's silver should perish with him because he thought God's gift could be purchased. He called Simon to repent and pray for forgiveness. Simon asked the apostles to pray that the threatened consequences would not come upon him. Acts does not narrate what happened to him afterward, although later Christian literature developed extensive traditions about Simon.
Biblical Significance
Simon Magus provides the origin of the term 'simony,' the attempt to buy spiritual office or power. More importantly, his story contrasts fascination with miraculous power against genuine repentance and shows that the gifts of God cannot be purchased, controlled, or used for self-exaltation.