What we discover in Acts eight is that there’s a contrast between false power and the true, Jesus-centered power that’s rooted in humility and love. In Acts chapter eight, we meet a person called Simon the Sorcerer, who referred to himself (and others called him this as well) as “The Great Power of God.” Read Acts 8: 9-13 below:
“Now for a while a person named Simon had practiced sorcery in town and amazed all of the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all of the people, each high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a very long time together with his sorcery. But once they believed Philip as he proclaimed the excellent news of the dominion of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, each men and girls. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip in all places, astonished by the nice signs and miracles he saw.”
I’ve got some friends who’re online dating without delay, and they’ll sometimes send me a man’s profile. I’ll either respond with a thumbs up, a thumbs down, or perhaps a thumbs sideways. Let me inform you, if a girlfriend sent me Simon the Sorcerer’s profile, I’d be like RUN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. The guy is a row of red flags.
What Does the Bible Say about Sorcery?
Luke, the writer of Acts, points out a couple of obvious red flags. First of all, Simon practiced sorcery – which is an enormous no-no within the Bible. Sorcery is demonic power; it’s trickery. It enslaves people. This goes back to the Old Testament in Exodus when the Pharoah had enslaved the Israelite people, and a frontrunner named Moses was called by God to them free. The whole scene became a battle between God’s cosmic power and Pharoah’s magicians. Pharoah’s sorcerers kept people enslaved, while God’s formidable power led to freedom.
How Does Scripture Address Accumulating a ‘Platform?’
Second, Simon’s power was all about gaining his own followers—his own little collection of individuals. In contemporary terms, Simon is after more subscribers, listeners, and consumers. He is attempting to collect more followers to wield more influence over them. We see, in Acts 8, a transparent contrast between Simon and the followers of Jesus. Read your entire story:
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went right down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, all of them paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits got here out of many, and plenty of who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Now for a while a person named Simon had practiced sorcery in town and amazed all of the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all of the people, each high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a very long time together with his sorcery. But once they believed Philip as he proclaimed the excellent news of the dominion of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, each men and girls. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip in all places, astonished by the nice signs and miracles he saw.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the brand new believers there that they may receive the Holy Spirit since the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; that they had simply been baptized within the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, they usually received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given on the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everybody on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you since you thought you possibly can buy the gift of God with money! You haven’t any part or share on this ministry because your heart isn’t right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord within the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you simply are filled with bitterness and captive to sin.”
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me in order that nothing you’ve said may occur to me.”
– Acts 8:4-24
What Sets a Follower of Jesus Apart?
Again, we discover some obvious contrasts:
- Philip’s signs and wonders, as a follower of Jesus, led to more followers of Jesus (not himself).
- Simon boasted in himself. But followers of Jesus boasted in Jesus.
- Simon was a showman. The followers of Jesus were shepherds.
- Simon tried to purchase the Spirit of God to make use of. Followers of Jesus saw the Spirit as the true Great Power of God, to be submitted to.
- Simon wouldn’t pray, but throughout the passage, we see followers of Jesus praying and ministering to others.
What is the Modern Relevance of Acts 8?
Why does this matter in 2024? In today and age, we’ve all known a Simon – someone who’s all about impressing individuals with their power, their talent, their skillset. Maybe it’s a political leader, a church leader, or an influencer. What we discover in Acts eight is that there’s a contrast between false power and the true, Jesus-centered power that’s rooted in humility and love. But the issue is that the “Simons” on this world are easy to fall for. Why? Because they’re charming, talented, and impressive. So without realizing it, we buy what they’re selling.
3 Common Reactions to Powerful and Popular People:
I believe we must be honest about our reactions to the Simons in our lives. We are inclined to do considered one of three things (or some combination of all three):
1. We give them our power, time, money, energy, and following.
We get wrapped up in a weird attraction to individuals who look like they’ve some special, elite anointing or secret sauce. And due to our brokenness or our insecurity, we predict they’ll fill some hole in us. Or due to their money, means, or influence—or possibly they’re on the “table” where we would like to take a seat—before we understand it, we’re giving that deference and honor. For no other reason than the perception, they provide off that they’ve power.
2. There’s also something in us—it’s not just that we just wish to be near the perceived elite people. If we’re being really honest, it’s that we would like to be them.
We wish to be “The Great Power of God” ourselves. Now, we’re socialized enough to be “humble” so we’d never actually say that. We would never say, “I would like to be the nice power of God.” But if we’re being self-aware about our own souls, we must admit that sometimes in our insecurity and our messiness and our seek for identity outside of Jesus – we attempt and hope for certain people to have a look at us and go, “Oh, take a look at how likable they’re. Look at how gifted they’re. ow smart, or strong, or influential, or creative or talented, or good and right they’re.” Whatever it’s, we’re so often after approval and admiration ourselves.
By the best way, that is what the bile calls idolatry. And the thing about idols is that they might look like your best friend. They are comforting, loving, and attractive. But soon you’re giving them your time, money, energy, and worship, and—identical to false ”Simon” power—that idol will take you captive.
3. We allow our cynicism in regards to the Simons of the world to manage us.
Maybe you’re cynical, and rightly so, since you’ve seen far too many showmen within the church, in politics, online, or in other types of leadership, and you’re sick of it. That’s a godly cynicism; that’s an excellent sense of justice and righteousness. But the danger of cynicism, for those who give it an excessive amount of power, is that Evil will use it in such a way that you’re going to find yourself allowing the toxic power of showmen/show-women to have a lot power over you, that they cause you to walk away from Jesus and Christian community and the Spirit’s work in your life.
If you’re a cynic, let your cynicism be an invite—to not bitterness—to Jesus and life within the Christian community, and give up to the Spirit of God. That’s where the true power is.
The End Game of Chasing Popularity
Any “Simon” will result in dissatisfaction and disappointment. So don’t waste your worship on anyone apart from Jesus. Don’t waste your time, money, or energy. Only Jesus satisfies. Only Jesus fulfills his guarantees. Only Jesus transforms, heals, and fills us. Only Jesus has real power.
3 Ways to Avoid Falling for False Influence
One other thing. If you end up in category number two, wanting to be a bit too very similar to Simon, with all that power. Here are a couple of inquiries to ask yourself:
- How do you introduce yourself? Where do you place your value? How do you “name” yourself? Do you see yourself primarily as loved by God, a baby of God, or are you attempting to earn your value and gain approval? Do you reside like you’ve something to prove? You can rest in Jesus – and live out of your approval, not for it. Simon identified himself as someone with great power, but this identity was the other way up. He was living for approval, not from it. He was smug, not humble. Your invitation is to place your identity in Jesus- and let him define you. You can live from approval in Christ; not for it. That’s where the liberty is.
- What are your “so thats”? Notice the moments you say or pray or think something like, “God, please just give me extra money in order that I can finally be more generous and at peace.” Or, “God, change this person or this circumstance in order that I can finally be completely satisfied.” Simon’s “in order that” was broken. He wanted the Spirit of God, “in order that” he could impress people. Pay attention to once you end up putting conditions on God. That’s you trying to guide God, not the opposite way around. God wants your burden- he loves to listen to your heart. But the invitation is to permit God to guide you into his best for you- not to govern God.
- When do you end up bitter reactive, or jealous? Peter called Simon bitter – that was a part of his ego and sin at work. I don’t learn about you, but I are inclined to notice my bitterness rising up anytime I find myself pondering something like, “Must be nice”- it should be nice to have what they’ve. Must be nice to live in that house. It should be nice to have that job. Pay attention to bitterness rising up in you, and invite God to remodel your heart.
God’s invitation for you is to like and transform those places so you could experience something more—more freedom, more rest, more joy, more wholeness, and more of the Spirit’s power—relatively than the toxic power of the showmen and showwomen on this world. As Acts 1:8 says,
“But you’ll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will probably be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The point is – true power comes not from influence or arrogance but from God.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Mike Powell
