Why did Simon the Sorcerer try to buy the Holy Spirit from Peter?

The word, “Holy Spirit” is used frequently throughout the book of Acts. Luke presents the holy spirit as a joyful celebration and praise of the gospel. Scholar Wayne Jackson does a great description of breaking down what exactly the gift of the holy spirit is. Wayne Jackson says, “it is something different from and in consequence of the reception of the forgiveness of sins.” Having the gift of the holy spirit is very significant to the Christian Church because it is part of the process of becoming a Christian after being baptized. If Simon was baptized, why did he not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit?

In the book of Acts, Simon was considered a sorcerer in the region of Samaria. Simon is also known as Simon Magus. Although Simon was not given this name in the New Testament, it is used to justify his calling and his account of the event that occurred in Acts 8:9. The name “Magus” simply means sorcerer. A sorcerer is someone who believes to have power, which can also be a wizard. Simon was considered a sorcerer because he achieved in his practice, since in Acts 8:9-11 it reads that the people in Samaria listened to him, also being called the Great Power of God.

Sorcery was common in the ancient world. While some acts demonstrated illusions of the mind, others were empowered by Satan in attempt to do the works of the power of God. This is the way they made their money. As far as the gospel is concerned, being a sorcerer is the work of evil spirits and evil doings. Simon's ambition as a sorcerer caused an abundance of mischief both in the World and to some in the Church. Simon wanted the prestige of the Apostles without becoming a true follower. He saw the holy spirit as a way to further himself in his own endeavors. Simon had bewitched the people. This means he had basically convinced them that his power was supreme.

When Peter and John was sent to Samaria to pray for the new believers that were baptized, they were instantly filled with the holy spirit. When Simon witnessed a new source of power demonstrated by Peter, he wanted it. He offered his money for the gift of the holy spirit. The bible does not say that Simon knew who the Apostles were and what their mission was, however, it does say that he wanted to be able to lay hands and get the same results Peter did. Sorcery was present in the Old Testament writings also and God warned against it (Leviticus 19:31), so it is quite evident that Simon's motive was not originated from godly desire.

This became a conflict once one of the 7 deacons, Phillip began to preach the truth of the Kingdom of God in the same area of Samaria that Simon did because some still followed and believed Simon, the sorcerer. The people were confused on what was the truth itself. Once Phillip began to preach in Samaria, the people then slowly listened to him and believed Phillips preaching concerning the good news of the Kingdom of God. Even Simon believed. Phillip influenced others to get baptized, including Simon. After every man and woman was baptized, they received the Holy Spirit, except Simon. Acts 8:18. Why did Simon not receive the Holy Spirit?

 Below is a funny YouTube video of an illustration of Simon the Sorcerer. It gives a more visual of what Simon did as a sorcerer.

In conclusion, Simon tried to buy the gift of the holy spirit from Peter because he was a sorcerer. He did not receive the gift of the holy spirit because he wanted to mock it for money more than to have it in his heart to believe in God. Simon wanted the holy spirit for the wrong reasons. He wanted to use it to bring to his people that listened and believed him because he was a sorcerer and wanted to convince others he had this magical power of having the Holy Spirit. That was his role. This is considered a sin in the Christian Church and also to God. Simon wanted the powers only to perform but not to believe. This is why Simon tried to buy this gift. He knew not of what the actual Holy Spirit was. He only thought of it to be another way to make money and to mislead others of him being the power of God by performing this gift. God did not allow him to receive the holy spirit because of this reason. Simon the Sorcerer.

Who is Nicodemus and why was his visit to Jesus intriguing?

Who is Nicodemus?

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling Jewish Council known as the Sanhedrin.  He was a member of one of the three major societies of Judaism known as the Pharisees. He was well learned in the scriptures and was known as a leading bible teacher.  Of the four gospels, Nicodemus is only mentioned in the book of John.  John 3:1 describes Nicodemus as a leader of the Jews.  The Romans were in authority however they allowed the Jews to handle some of their own situations. In light of this, the Sanhedrin was the final authority for Jewish law and religion. Given his position, it is a natural assumption that Nicodemus was highly respected in the Jewish circle and would be considered an authority on any subject dealing with the kingdom of God.

What did the Pharisees represent?

The word "Pharisee" itself is believed to be derived from a Hebrew word that means "separate" or "detach." The question then arises, "from whom or from what did they separate?" Referring to several scriptures in John, the Pharisees seem to look down upon certain classes of people and certain positons held by a class of people.  For example in John 7:49, the Pharisees consider the crowd as ignorant or unlearned in the law of God.  In Matthew 9:11, they question the company that Jesus was keeping.  In these instances, we can see that the Pharisees clearly viewed themselves "above" others. Although they were not God, they saw themselves as his authority/voice where the Jewish nation was concerned.

Who was Jesus in the eyes of the Pharisees?

The Sanhedrin, which included the Pharisees, was the established teachers of the law; then comes Jesus, a carpenter's son.  Jesus began to teach from the scriptures and this did not sit well with the Sanhedrin.  Not only did Jesus teach the law, but in the eyes of the Pharisees, he did things contrary to the law! In the story found in John 5, the lame man that Jesus healed was questioned by the Jewish rulers as to why he was carrying his bed on the Sabbath day.  The man told him that the man, not knowing his name was Jesus, healed me and told me to take up my bed and walk.  This infuriated the rulers and they sought to destroy Jesus because in their eyes not only was he in violation of the law but he was putting himself in a positon equal to God.  These conflicts with Jesus and his teaching continue throughout the book of John.  The Pharisees were constantly at odds with Jesus mainly because he pointed out how they were actually the ones not adhering to the scriptures and how they were teachers of the law but did not abide by the law themselves. In John 8:13-18, Jesus talks about himself and this was just another reason for the Pharisees to desire his death. 

Why did Nicodemus come to inquire of Jesus?

The Pharisees hate Jesus.  He was a threat to their place in the Jewish society and his teaching as one with authority was more than the Sanhedrin's were willing to accept.  Nicodemus should have avoided Jesus like the plague but he did not.  Nicodemus came to visit Jesus at night. Why at night? Jesus presented himself on a daily basis in various places in the public eye so why did Nicodemus visit him at night? Scholars have speculated that it was out of fear or that he was ashamed to be seen talking to Jesus. As a result, Nicodemus has been labeled an ambiguous character. The scripture gives no reason for the nighttime visit but it does record the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus.  Nicodemus represented the highest authority on the knowledge of scriptures yet we see him inquiring of the very man who threatened that position. It is worth noting that Nicodemus begins his conversation with acknowledging Jesus as a man who had to be sent from God.  He praises Jesus as if to somehow make him more pliable to the questions which were to follow. John 3 reveals that Nicodemus seems to have a desire to just understand the sayings of Jesus. Ironically we have the unlearned Jesus being questioned by Nicodemus, an accomplished scholar of the law. Something in Jesus' presentation and demeanor piqued Nicodemus curiosity to the point he had to know more. Maybe he came at night to not be interrupted.  

In conclusion

Nicodemus visiting Jesus is intriguing because knowing who Nicodemus is and how Jewish rulers viewed Jesus, one would wonder why?  If anything it would seem that Jesus should have sought Nicodemus out.  More than likely this is also how the Sanhedrin felt.  Jesus should have recognized them and came to inquire of them. Nicodemus had to go against the establishment. Whatever the reason Nicodemus inquired of Jesus we find out in later scripture that it was enough to convince Nicodemus that Jesus was more than he appeared to be.  According to scripture, the Jews were waiting for their Messiah and possibly in the eyes of Nicodemus, he had arrived.  John 7:51 has Nicodemus defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus full conversion is solidified in John 19:39 when he assists in his burial.