John Calvin Commentary Acts 8:13

"And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed." — Acts 8:13 (ASV)

Simon also himself. He who had bewitched the whole city with his sorcery receives the truth together with others. He who had boasted himself to be the principal power of God submits himself to God, though he was brought to the knowledge of the gospel not so much for his own sake alone as for the sake of the whole country, so that the offense which might have hindered the inexperienced might be removed.

And what Luke records later serves this purpose: that he wondered at the signs. For God intended to triumph over this man, whom the Samaritans considered a lesser god; this happens when he is compelled to give glory to the true miracles, once his vain boasting is removed.

And yet he does not give himself over sincerely to Christ; for then his ambition, and that wicked and profane estimation he had of the gifts of God, would not break out. And yet I do not agree with those who think that he made only a semblance of faith, since he did not believe.

Luke says plainly that he believed, and the reason is added: because he was moved by wonder. How, then, does he shortly after betray himself to be but a hypocrite? I answer that there is some middle ground between faith and mere dissimulation. The Epicureans and Lucianists profess that they believe, even while they laugh inwardly, while the hope of eternal life is to them a vain thing; finally, while they have no more godliness than dogs or swine.

But there are many who, although they are not regenerated with the Spirit of adoption and do not devote themselves to God with true affection of the heart, are nevertheless overcome by the power of the Word. These individuals not only confess that what is taught is true but are also moved by some fear of God, so that they receive the doctrine. For they understand that God must be heard and that He is both the author and the judge of the world.

Therefore, they do not make a semblance of faith before men, which they do not truly possess, but they think that they believe. This faith continues only for a time, about which Christ speaks in Mark (Mark 4; Luke 8:13)—namely, when the seed of the Word, conceived in the mind, is nevertheless immediately choked by various cares of the world or by wicked affections, so that it never comes to ripeness. Indeed, rather, it degenerates into worthless, unprofitable grain.

Such, therefore, was Simon’s faith. He perceives that the doctrine of the gospel is true, and he is compelled to receive it by the conviction of his conscience; but the foundation is lacking—that is, self-denial.

Consequently, his mind was enveloped in dissimulation, which he immediately reveals. But let us understand that his hypocrisy was such that he deceived himself with it, and not that gross hypocrisy of which Epicureans and similar people boast because they dare not confess their contempt for God.

He was baptized. It appears plainly from this example of Simon that not all men are given that grace in baptism which is symbolized there. The opinion of the Papists is this: that unless mortal sin is an impediment, all men receive the truth and effect along with the signs.

Thus, they attribute magical force to the sacraments, as if they profited without faith.

But let us understand that the Lord offers to us through the sacraments whatever the accompanying promises declare; and these are not offered in vain when, being directed to Christ by faith, we seek from Him whatever the sacraments promise.

And although receiving baptism did not profit Simon then, yet if conversion followed afterward, as some suppose, the benefit was not extinguished or abolished.

For it often happens that the Spirit of God works later, even after a long time, so that the sacraments may begin to show forth their efficacy.

Did cleave to Philip. Since Philip admitted him into his company, it shows how difficult it is to identify hypocrites. This is a trial of our patience. So Demas was a companion of Paul for a time; afterward he became an unfaithful deserter (2 Timothy 4:10).

Finally, we cannot escape this evil: wicked and deceitful men will sometimes join themselves to us. If at any time the wicked creep craftily into our company, proud critics unjustly burden us, as if we were to answer for their misdeeds.

However, we must beware of being too accommodating, which often causes the gospel to be slandered. We must be all the more vigilant to admit no one without careful selection, since we hear that even great men have been deceived.

Luke says that Simon was astonished by the greatness of the signs, so that we may know that the great power of which he boasted was nothing but trickery and illusions. And Luke does not speak here of any ordinary wonder, but of a stupor or trance that causes a man to forget what he is doing.