Acts 8:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From this it is evident that in the Church of apostolic times there was both baptism in water and the imparting of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:17-18).

These mysteries are performed to this day in the holy Orthodox Church. Only the imparting of the gift of the Holy Spirit is performed not through the laying on of hands, but through chrismation.

Judging from the later narrative, one cannot suppose that Simon sincerely and wholeheartedly believed Philip’s preaching or was baptized from pure conviction.

Still, even in him the power of the word about Christ crucified is visible.

It is not incredible that the power of that word overcame, at least for a time, the evil disposition of his soul. Perhaps there was a bright moment in his life when he asked to be baptized.

“He did not depart from Philip,” that is, he constantly followed him as a devoted disciple and follower of the teaching that Philip preached, and in which Simon had believed.

“He was amazed.” He who had himself amazed others by his sorceries was amazed at the signs and powers that came from Philip.

What was in this amazement? Was it sincere and pure faith in the divine origin of these powers and signs performed before the magician’s eyes?

Or at its foundation was there something impure, fleshly, and self-loving? If it had not been the latter, then what is described further on would have been impossible (Acts 8:18 and following).

He was baptized and did not depart from the apostle. He marveled at his miracles and expected to receive knowledge of how to perform miracles in the apostolic way.

Evidently, even after baptism, he did not abandon his pagan point of view concerning miracles and signs.

Nevertheless, for him the Christian evangelists appeared immeasurably higher than all the most astonishing sorcerers.

This greatness will always be incomparable. Both the miracles themselves, and especially their foundations and the motives for performing them, are incomparable.

They are performed for the glory of God and for faith in the name of Christ.

Simon’s amazement at Philip’s miracles strengthened the faith of the Samaritans still more. For this reason Christianity, sown here along the way, grew for a long time and bore good fruit.

Many holy Churches once flourished within the Samaritan borders, and many saints appeared there, such as Saint Justin Martyr, the martyrs of Sebaste, and many others.

Of course, all this was also the work of many other saints after the humble deacon Philip, who understandably could not do there everything that the higher apostles could do.