Bewitched, Believing, Then Baptized!

Acts 8:11–13 (NKJV)

11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 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.

Our previous study expounded the contrast of Philip’s fruitfulness to Simon known magus. It contrasted the power of Light to the power of darkness and to some of the effects they each had on the people. The Light that Philip brought into the town relieved people of their burdens, but the darkness that previously remained in the town oppressed the people and chained them to their burdens. The magic that Simon previously practiced entertained the people for a time and left them desiring more. But the gospel filled the people with a permanent joy that would extend into everlasting rest and refreshment. We came to the understanding that Simon’s power and reputation was according to his own works, not the power and reputation of another greater than himself. Simon’s works robbed God of His glory, but Philip’s works were because of the glory of God that had been “planted” and grounded in him. Therefore we come to our current study. In this study, Lord willing, we will see how the Holy Spirit uses the reputation of a self-righteous worker of darkness to the glory and honor of the power and greatness of God. We will see that, in the debasement of Simon known magus, the superiority of the thrice holy and unity of God is exalted and lifted high above all that is shaped by human hands.

And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

The previous phrase is in conjunction to the last statement of the people of Samaria regarding Simon of our previous study. As a quick reminder, the people considered Simon the “great power of God;” therefore, the phrase we will get into in this study demonstrates further, what kind of power Simon had over the people. And the following verse about Philip will also be a fruitful contrast to Simon’s deception in greater detail granting us a deeper understanding than our previous study.

Beginning with the phrase, “προσεῖχον δὲ αὐτῷ,” (And they heeded him) we come to see the people’s high regard for the reputation of Simon, not knowing that the works that he did were unrighteous and of the darkness, nor of works done in the Light of Christ (Jn.3:19-21). The Greek verb, προσεῖχον, indicates more than just a careful consideration of what Simon practiced before the people. The verb also carries a deeper connection to the manner in which they heeded Simon. As in Heb.7:13, προσεῖχον is used to continue on in devotion for and applying oneself to the respected practice. In other words the people of Samaria were “devoted,” all though ignorantly, to Simon’s doctrine and practice of self-exaltation and witchcraft (1Sam.15:23). The people were loyal to Simon and his agenda through his deception over their gullible minds. The following Greek words, δὲ αὐτῷ, are a conjunction and pronoun that simply connect the verb to Simon.

The succeeding phrase, “διὰ τὸ ἱκανῷ χρόνῳ,” (for a long time because) gives us a picture of the duration of the people’s loyalty. This speaks volumes for the character of people but little of their discernment. The duration of time was ἱκανῷ (substantially) long. The Samaritans gave diligent devotion to Simon’s practices for a considerably long period of time. Simon was able to manipulate these people over and over again without any competition. The kind of time, χρόνῳ, was “chronological” from the beginnings of Simon until the coming of Philip. In other words Simon chronologically tricked the people from one practice to another until Philip brought good news. Now we come to why he was able to capture their devotion with the word, “διὰ,” which simply means (because of).

In review of our translation, “And they heeded him for a long time because of,” we conclude with our next phrase, “ταῖς μαγείαις ἐξεστακέναι αὐτούς,” (the sorceries that had astonished them). Beginning with ταῖς μαγείαις (the sorceries) we should take particular note to the Greek article, ταῖς, which is in its plural form in connection to, μαγείαις, which is also the plural form for magic. With this understanding, we can conclude it was because of his (multiple sorceries) that he was able to keep the people under his power for such a long period of time, performing one trick after another in chronological order. In other words Simon had more than one trick up his sleeve. He may have been an old dog; but he was able to learn new tricks to draw a following after himself (Acts 20:30). Although it was never Simon’s intent to teach others his tricks of the trade, for that would have put him out of business and increased his competition, however, his goal was simply to dazzle the people with his own skill and precision of his deceptive, yet rather powerful, trade. Magic is the practice of attempting to manipulate one's environment through incantations, spiritual assistance (or manipulation), curses, or blessings. Simon was very skilled in the art of manipulation. Whatever or whomever he blessed; he would manipulate the environment to fulfill his own blessing, as he would in whatever or whomever he cursed.

The people had been ἐξεστακέναι (amazed). I believe the KJV renders a more accurate translation for this context (bewitched). Because the verb is also in the present tense; it reveals to us the “chronological” effect that Simon’s sorcery had over the people. Previously, through their own ignorance of Simon’s schemes, a positive effect was upon them until Philip had exposed the superiority of God’s power. In other words they became “bewitched” at the thought of their own foolishness for devoutly following the dark practices of Simon. The DBL defines ἐξεστακέναι, which seems to fit our context, as :

… to be insane, be out of one’s senses (Mk 3:21; 2Co 5:13+) [Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.]

Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?

Once the truth of the gospel was made known to the Samaritans, the practices of Simon literally drove the people out of their minds having come to the conclusion that they have been duped for so long a time. In other words, now that they have been given an eye of discernment through the gospel, Simon’s teaching caused them to go (insane) and act out of their own reasonable senses towards it. They temporarily became “insane.” This was the “present” effect upon the past practices of Simon through Luke’s historical account. The good news for Simon is that these practices stopped. The question, however, will be why did these practices stop? Did they stop because of Simon’s repentance, or because the people were not going to be fooled no longer, or both? Either way, it is good news that the evil and corruption had come to a screeching halt in this Samaritan town; but we give greater glory to God because it was stopped by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now while it, most likely, took a great deal of time for Simon to gain the people’s respect back, the good news is that the people didn’t remain insane; but continued in Philip’s teaching and were baptized, washing their conscience in the grace of God, which leads us into the next verse.

But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Again, we have another transitional clause beginning with the words, ὅτε δὲ (But when). Luke is now leading us chronologically into the effects of Philip’s preaching in contrast to the effects of Simon’s witchcraft. Luke is now giving us the good news of the results regarding the kingdom of God extending to the Samaritan villages. Luke records, ἐπίστευσαν τῷ Φιλίππῳ εὐαγγελιζομένῳ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ ὀνόματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ). Drawing our attention to the first verb ἐπίστευσαν (they believed) we know that the Samaritans “entrusted” themselves to the ongoing evangelization (εὐαγγελιζομένῳ) of Philip regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) and the beginnings of the kingdom of God (βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ) that had been planted in the hearts of the people of Samaria (Lk.17:21). Just as they gave full devotion to Simon’s magic; they gave devotion and even more of themselves to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In other words they laid themselves bare (naked) before the Lord having full confidence that He would clothe them. The obedient “fruit” of this was remarkable. They openly confessed the sin that had bound them in darkness and came into the light of Christ in the public waters of baptism to be washed thoroughly by His grace; even as David was scrubbed thoroughly, from his public sin of adultery that looked upon the nakedness of Bathsheba, with the hyssop brush of repentance (Ps. 51); the people of Samaria confessed those sins they once tried to cover and suppress in the entertainment of Simon’s dark comfort. The verse concludes ἐβαπτίζοντο ἄνδρες τε καὶ γυναῖκες (both men and women were baptized). There are no children in this context that were baptized, but we should "particularly" note that women were permitted to be publically baptized in the confession of Christ. This would have been a major controversy in the culture of that day in history. A woman's testimony was never held in high regard to the men, as the men of that culture considered women to be less intelligent than themselves. Therefore, Luke and the testimony of the Holy Spirit in the church were not bashful to note that women were publically displayed confessing sin and the gospel of Christ.

Baptism is a blessed and public doctrine that puts the amazing grace of God on display. Why it has been hijacked by some, to justify all, is beyond my comprehension; but it is a most blessed and glorious doctrine when applied correctly to the forgiveness of sins. Every time a sinner is converted and immersed through the baptismal waters, the gospel is displayed symbolically to the whole congregation, as was literally displayed for the thief who is now with Christ in Paradise. To forfeit this doctrine to the rebellious sorcerers is a great heresy to the foundation of the faith because it keeps people bound in the darkness of sin and suppresses the fruitful potential of the indwelling Spirit upon the public congregation.

Colossians 2:11–12 (NKJV)

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Paul writing to the Colossian church excludes the self-righteous doctrine of legalism through the new covenant symbol of baptism. He was writing to Gentiles who were constantly being barraged by the “circumcision” group that believed in faith plus works for salvation; and pressing upon them doctrines that you had to be “circumcised” and keep the old “signification” laws (laws that set Israel apart from the other nations) like the Sabbath and dietary laws contained under the old covenant that “preserves” Israel. When the “individual” believer is baptized by faith; that is, immersing themselves into the life works of Jesus Christ (His personal circumcision); they have considered themselves dead (buried) with Him to sin and Hell, and are raised with Him in the newness of life in the inheritance of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4–11 (NKJV)

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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.

We have spent a lot of time on Simon, and his once upon a time good reputation with the Samaritans, and now his present evil effect upon the unveiling of his wickedness. But, as I mentioned before, there is good news for Simon. Luke goes on to account Simon’s conversion with the people of Samaria. Simon also believed and was baptized through the evangelization of Philip in the region. All I request for now is that we don’t throw Simon out with the dirty bath water. His conversion will be tested as well as the rest of those who continued with Philip’s doctrine. Lord willing, we will get into Peter and John’s evaluation and authentication of these conversions later. But what will be important to remember about Simon is that he had some level of repentance and was washed in the gospel of Christ. His future reputation should not hang on what “previously” occurred in this Samaritan village (v.9). In this immediate context we should all be able to rejoice with Simon and the towns of Samaria that were baptized in the gospel and ‘reconsider’ our own baptism to be renewed to our hearts in them with Christ. And if you have not been baptized, you should consider your rebellion to our Lord’s command (Acts 2:38):

Acts 17:30-31 (NKJV)

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”