Simon the sorcerer magic trick4/12/2023 ![]() The apostles Peter and John, according to Acts 8:9-24, had come there to preach. It was in Samaria that the two men first met. This Hellenistic influence on Simon appears to have initiated the beginning of his troubles with the Christians, namely Peter. This, however, is no evidence that Simon did not author the work because his followers displayed that Simon was a student of Hellenistic culture. The extracts that Hippolytus quotes were taken from an edition of the work which was possessed by second-century Simonians and showed much influence of Greek philosophy. Phrases which are throughout the book such as “roots of the earth” bear a strong sound of the writings of Empedocles. There is no certainty that Simon uttered and wrote these words or any part of the work eventually called the “Great Annunciation.” However, what is definitely evident is the work has Hellenistic overtones. Therefore it will be sealed, hidden, veiled, and placed in the space where the roots of the universe are found.” Hippolytus even quoted Simon as writing: “This is the book of revelation of the voice and the name by knowledge of the great Infinite Force. It is from this latter fact that the third-century Church Father Hippolytus inferred that Simon had been relatively close to the philosopher called “dark Heraclitus.” Hippolytus claimed that Simon taught the principle of the universe was an Infinite Force. Simon afterwards studied Arabic-Jewish magical medicine in Alexandria. He had come from Getthon in Samaria, where he attended a religious school founded by Dositheos after the death of John the Baptist. Within the sketchy history that is available it seems that Simon had previous ties to Christians as well. But, in the first century such a difference would be taken very seriously and make fellow Christians turn away from Simon. Today such a difference would not matter with the various views on Christianity. Whether Simon’s conception of Christianity differed from the rest of the apostles no one can be certain. ![]() Even the early Christians still believed in the magic of the universe, but as they became more involved in the Church they became skeptical of magical powers within men and eventually thought them sinful.Īlso according to the Book of Acts Simon was Christianized by being baptized by the disciple Philip. Magic was still believed in by most of the ancient world. It is also a sign of spirituality both within the magician himself and his ability to inflame it in others. >From this brief description one sees that Simon had a great ability to arouse amazement in men. ![]() It was said that he “amazed the nation of Samaria.” This man also was called an “uncanny magician.” His contemporaries sensed that Simon possessed abilities above the ordinary man. The Samaritans said of him, “This man is that power of God which is Great,” a judgment which is only acclaimed to few men. (See Magus) According to the first biblical description of Simon in the Book of Acts he was referred to as a wise man. Caution must be exerted here too, for it will be recalled that the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus at the manger were also referred to as magicians or magi. Simon was called a sorcerer as well as a magician. Magus means “worker of magic.” This further hinders an objective judgment of the man because the word magic eludes a rational definition. Simon bears the surname of Magus, it is not clear whether this was his real name or it was self-imposed. It is only from these negative references to the man that one gains an oblique picture of his personality. It can be acknowledged that for Simon to be described with such distaste must have meant he was a great irritant to Church leaders.
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