Impact of Simonian beliefs on Christianity

Simon Magus (Simon the Magician) was a religious figure from the first century. He was originally trained as a disciple by John the Baptist but departed the group to learn the magical arts in Egypt. After the death of John the Baptist, Simon Magus returned from Egypt, took leadership of the group of thirty, and married one of his disciples called Helena.

According to Philosophumena of Hippolytus, Simon Magus preached that the world was rooted in the six powers of Mind, Voice, Reason, Reflection, Name, and Thought. That nothing in itself was good or bad by nature. It was not good works that made men blessed in the next world but the grace bestowed on them by their Father Simon Magus and their mother, Helena. This teaching likely stems from Egypt. A derivation of the six powers of the Egyptian Sun God, Ra. In a sense, their teachings shift worship from the spiritual to our materialistic view.



The Simonian impact on Christianity cannot be denied. Justin Martyr (152 A.D.) wrote the sect of the Simonians appears to have been formidable, for he speaks four times of their founder, Simon; and we need not doubt that he identified him with the Simon of the Acts. He states that he was a Samaritan, adding that his birthplace was a village called Gitta; he describes him as a formidable magician, and tells that he came to ROME in the days of Claudius Caesar (45 A.D.) [actually, 42 A.D.], and made such an impression by his magical powers, THAT HE WAS HONORED AS A GOD, a statue being erected to him on the Tiber, between the two bridges, bearing the inscription ‘Simoni deo Sancto’ (i.e., the holy god Simon)" (Dictionary of Christian Biography, Vol. 4, p. 682).

Irenaeus (130 AD) describes Simon as the founder of a heretical Christian sect. According to Irenaeus (Against Heresies I.23.3) "Now this Simon of Samaria, from whom all sorts of heresies derive their origin, formed his sect out of the following materials: … men are saved through grace, and not on account of their own righteous works. For such deeds are not righteous in the nature of things, but by mere accident, just as those angels who made the world, have thought fit to constitute them, seeking, by means of such precepts, to bring men into bondage. On this account, he pledged himself that the world should be dissolved, and that those who are his should be freed from the rule of them who made the world"

Irenaeus complaint against Simon could also have been echoed against Galatians 2,15...

We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Its very possible that the early church integrated both teachings in the hope of increasing patronage. But in doing so created a hybrid religion that is neither one or the other. It really needs be asked if a church that adorns itself in Egyptian paraphernalia (St. Peter's Basilica Obelisk and sun dial etc) are preaching the teachings of Jesus or that of Simon Magus, Sun God, RA. A teaching that allows the lawless to achieve heaven by doing nothing but believing its so.



Unfortunately all religions are effected by dogma over time. We have to rise above it and seek spirituality with our heart.

a reply to: glend

One question: Is salvation a gift or is it a work?

a reply to: glend

Great thread, thankyou.

It's hard to disseminate after thousands of years which religions have absorbed and influenced eachother and we will never know for sure, doesn't mean we should stop looking though.

I remember reading a few years ago about a particular Druidic sect who began to worship a White Christ in pre-Christian European times and how that was adapted to dominate Europe through Christianity- damned if I've been able to find any more in depth information on it though.

The truth is not out there. It's IN there. In each of us, we just need to shutup and listen, close our eyes and look.

a reply to: glend

Simon the Magician came to one of the apostles to be baptized, and attempted to buy power they had from God. He was turned down. They said it wasn't theirs, but Gods.It is my understanding he went to Rome and started the Catholic church on his own. That's why it has virgin worship ,works and strange teachings imbedded into it, That's why it is completely contrary to what Paul taught.

Go do some research and get back to us

a reply to: glend

I enjoyed reading your thread.

Simon Magnus preached in Rome he was "The Christ" and convinced enough to start a sect however Peter confronted Simon while in Rome. It is said that Simon Magnus flew in the air (not levitation) and while doing so was rebuked by Peter and Simon Magnus power to fly stopped immediately and he fell to his death.

Read the book of Jasper it tells the story. Jasper is mentioned in the bible. I am not talking about the jewel Jasper but the man named Jasper.

S&F

Thanks for showing me something new. I enjoy looking into different religions and it always amazes me how little the average person knows. Even the extremely devoted.
If you asked 10 people on the street which religion(s) the Old Testament belongs to, 9 will say Christianity.

I have never seen the Eye of Horus broke down like that. Where did you see that?

a reply to: TexasTruth

If you say "Old Testament", then yes, most "people on street" (I assume you mean ignorant Christians) would associate it with Christianity.

And rightly so, because you can't have an old one without a new one.

Jews don't call it the "Old Testament".

originally posted by: PhilbertDezineck
a reply to: glend

One question: Is salvation a gift or is it a work?

That depends on who's religion you believe. My feeling is that a good mind will always produce good work. So I feel its not something that should be considered "work" but something more of a reward for both the receiver and giver.

a reply to: IAMALLYETALLIAM

totally with you on that, But I love the historical side of Christianity. Its like a puzzle with missing peaces.

Matthew 22:36-40

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.



Can you do this ? The second one is the most difficult. It's been said we are saved by Grace, not works.

edit on 24-7-2019 by Plotus because: (no reason given)

When I first saw this, I thought it was "Impact of Simian beliefs on Christianity" and I thought "Wow! That's it! That explains everything!"

a reply to: glend

I think you might have a point here.

Spiritual vs. Material

If god is in everything only when the two find an intermediate point, one that has access to material and spiritual and is part of god balance can be found. My impression is, that this intermediate point might be the human body, mind, and soul. It's spiritual, it's material, and it has access to god.

Sincerely No Clue

a reply to: [post=24507218]DeathSlayer[/post

Thank you. I have read similar story from other sources. But in other sources it said he fell to the ground and broke his leg in three places.

Your comment reminded me of a news article I read a while back. It was the earliest christian artifact ever found, a bowl with the inscription "Christ the magician" here. Which supports the notion that the impact by simon magus on Christianity was profound.

a reply to: TexasTruth

I cannot remember where I first saw it. But think the egyptians were associating the senses to certain chakra's to empower kundilini energy.

a reply to: Plotus

Have you heard of the famous rabbi, Hillel the Elder. It's said a man approached Hillel, asking him to provide a summary of the Torah while standing on one foot. Hillel said: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Law; the rest is the explanation; go and learn." Hillel died 10AD. So Jesus and Hillel would agree on that point.

Can I do this ? No, it's something I am still striving to attain.

Being saved by Grace is a Simonian belief.

Matthew 7:21–23 say that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven? "Who do" does sound like works to me.

But it's you that needs to determine your own truth.

a reply to: NoClue

Hope more than one point

a reply to: NoClue

a reply to: NoClue

Thanks NoClue

a reply to: glend

I think what is written in the bible is not history but, metaphors, and parables.

What is magic?

turning water in to wine would be considered magic?

So he had a foundation, one leg with which he could access the magic.
No wonder he fell and broke. Afterall he only had one leg, not much stability there.
It would only take one that had Access to the other leg to bring him down. And even brake the 3 fundamentals so he would never be able to access the realms again.

It sort or reminds me of Daedalus and Icarus.

We all can fly(metaphorically speaking). Ascend or descend depending on the leg we first use when we wake up and get out of our bed. We can move in between, get in-between the spiritual world and the material world. Where the magic happens


only when the two legs both have balance within them you can walk.
But only if we find harmony we will be able to fly.

Don't get me going about dancing, and painting it still seems along way!

Sincerely No Clue

originally posted by: glend

originally posted by: PhilbertDezineck
a reply to: glend

One question: Is salvation a gift or is it a work?

That depends on who's religion you believe. My feeling is that a good mind will always produce good work. So I feel its not something that should be considered "work" but something more of a reward for both the receiver and giver.

In the Christian faith salvation is a free gift although there is a action associated to that salvation. Jesus said depart from me speaking of the goats, thoses goats were not sent to hell but to otter darkness which is not hell. Salvation is free but rewards are earned.