cheenc03a.pdf

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SIMON MAGUS
had $~reuiously to this beivitchcd the people by his
i~mgicnl nrts giving out that he war rorrrc gleat one,
and being declarer1 by them to be that power of Gud
which is called Great. After that men and women had
received 1iupt:snl at the hnndr of Philip, Simon also dnd
so, and continued with Philip, full of amazement at his
mirnclcs. Me;inrlriie (uv. I ~ ~ x , ) at . file instance of the
aportler in ~eruralem. Peter and JO~O had come to
Smmria, and through laying on of hands had obtained
the Holy Choit for those who h;%d been baptised. Upon
this. Simon (ilw. 18~14) offered then? money and deilred
the same power, but afler a revcre rcbuke from Peter,
finally l~rsouglit the i\io apoules to pray for him, that
the ptlrlirhment they had threatened mighr be averted.
(6) This nniinfive contai,rr much that is strange.
That, initend of the city of San~aria (us in uu. 58 f.)
the country of S;imaria should be named in v. 14, may
bc set down to z p=rdidonal>le want of exactness. 'The
designation of Sinion as 'that power of God which is
cnlled G~ent' and his designation of himself us ,ronie
grent one" nre not intrinsically incompatible with his
sorcery ; but it is very surprising that the sorcery is
referred to t\vice (w. !I) and that its second mention
is preceded by the same word (lrpoorlxou, 'gave heed')
ji) The idea that only apostles (by laying on of
hands) can procure the gift of the Holy (;host is qnite
unhiitorical (see \Iruln.rav, 5 34 c). Fro," this. it
would not at once follow, however, that it ir a later
insertion : for the whole parrage may be equally unhistorical.
~t the same time it is. in fact, apparent, that snr: 1~18. intro.
~YCF a representation which in the actual connecuon ir,rurpnrrng.
According too. 13 Shmon has been only aitonlrhed at
Philip's miracles: zr for ;he bestowal of the Holy Gholt, hc
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