Living in the Image of God M05S04
The account of Simon the Sorcerer illustrates Christ teaching that there could be wolves among the sheep: people that embed themselves among followers of Christ but are motivated by a selfish and dangerous purpose. Given time and opportunity, they will show themselves through interactions with others. Simon the Sorcerer was hungry for personal power and embedded himself among members of the early church in Samaria, pretending to be one of them. He was, however, motivated by envy for the power he saw in the apostles and desired to acquire similar power for personal greatness. His intention was not recognized initially but revealed itself when he offered money to buy the power of God he saw in the apostles. Peter rebuked him and advised him to repent and pray for forgiveness.
We discuss the account of Simon the Sorcerer to advance understanding of Christ teaching regarding wolves in sheep’s clothing: people that embed themselves among followers of Christ but are motivated by a selfish and dangerous purpose. The teaching provides a two-part message. First, he warns that there could be wolves among the sheep. Second, he calls for patience regarding the wolves, because they will show themselves through interactions with others, given time and opportunity. The message calls for cautious vigilance regarding motivations among the Christian family: those living to follow Jesus and love people and others seeking camouflage for a selfish and nefarious motivation.
The account of Simon the Sorcerer provides an excellent illustration of wolves in sheep’s clothing. He was a widely admired magician in Samaria that embedded himself among Christian followers of the apostle Philip, during the early history of the church there. Several members of the early church in Jerusalem left after the death of Stephen. One of them, Philip, arrived in Samaria and began to grow the church there. Simon the Sorcerer embedded himself among followers of Philip and pretended to be one of them. However, his motivation was that he admired the power he saw in Philip and sought to gain similar power for personal greatness. The Christians did not recognize his intentions initially.
Later, Peter and John arrived in Samaria to assist with growing the church there. They led people to receive the Holy Spirit by laying hands on them. Simon the Sorcerer offered money to Peter and John to purchase the power to give the Holy Spirit. Through this action, he revealed his real motivation for following along with the Christians: he was seeking personal greatness that he hoped to achieve by acquiring the power he saw in the Apostles. Peter rebuked him and advised him to pray for forgiveness, for seeking to buy the power of God with money.
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