In the eighth chapter of the book of Acts, we have both God and Satan at work. Satan, through the person of Saul and other Jewish leaders, is trying to destroy the church (Acts 8:1-3). But God, as He has done so many times in the past, is able to take the efforts of the Devil and turn them into His victory. In scattering the disciples of Christ, Satan probably thought he was winning the battle against the church, but God knew a little persecution was not going to destroy the church, but would instead make it stronger. The disciples may have been forced to leave Jerusalem because of persecution, but when they left they took the gospel with them (ver. 4). They went everywhere preaching the word.

One of those who left Jerusalem with the gospel was Philip. He went down to Samaria and preached to the people (Acts 8:5). As a result, many, both men and women, of the city of Samaria were converted to Christ. One of the converts on that occasion was Simon, a former sorcerer. In this article we want to look at a few things that Simon saw on this occasion.

1. Simon saw the difference between real and counterfeit miracles.

It is safe to say that Simon had never seen a real miracle. However, once he did he recognized it immediately and believed the preaching of Philip. Today there are thousands of good people who need to see what Simon saw. Too many sincere people have been deceived by the Simons of this world. But, there is clearly differences in the so-called miracles of today and the genuine miracles of the Bible. There is a difference in the purpose and nature of those miracles. Today we see questionable acts at best. We see partial healing of undetectable illnesses. But, in the Bible we see miracles that were so real that no one could deny them (Acts 4: 13-16). I wish people would see what Simon saw concerning the nature of genuine miracles.

2. Simon saw that the kingdom had been established.

Simon heard Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God (ver. 12). The things concerning the kingdom could have included many things, but certainly the fact that it had been established was one of those things. Those who take the false premillennial view deny that the kingdom has been established, but the scriptural evidence for it is overwhelming (Mark 9:1). If the kingdom has not yet been set up, Jesus was wrong when he said it would come before some of His disciples died. Was Jesus wrong? Did He lie about the kingdom being at hand (Matthew 4:17)? No, Jesus did not lie, nor was He wrong, for the kingdom was established in the first century as Jesus said it would be (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28). Those who deny that the kingdom is here need to see what Simon saw. The kingdom has been established.

3. Simon saw what was necessary for salvation.

Simon saw that he not only had to believe the preaching that he heard, but that baptism is essential to salvation as well. If you have not been baptized, you must see what Simon saw! Baptism is a part of God’s plan of salvation. It puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Baptism is the place where one’s sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). It is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Many people deny that baptism is necessary; therefore, they have not been baptized. If they are going to be saved, they, like Simon before them, must see the essentiality of baptism.

Simon saw much on this occasion. Many souls would be saved if they would only see what he saw on that day in Samaria.