Not sure this pertains about subject but hope it helps.
The sin of simony
that he had amazed the Samaritans “for a long time with his sorcery” (Acts 8:11),
some even declaring that he was “the great Power of God” (Acts 8:10),
in an attempt to discredit the power of God (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).
In the wake of hearing and seeing the disciple Philip “as he proclaimed the good news
of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12),
Simon was baptized into the early church and “followed Philip everywhere” (Acts 8:13).
The Bible says that “the Holy Spirit had not yet come” upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:16).
Later, the apostles Peter and John arrived, at which time the Spirit came upon the believers.
Simon witnessed this event and “offered them money and said,
‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may
receive the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 8:19–20).
This man is known in secular history as Simon Magus. The surname “magus”
reveals that he was a member of the priestly caste of ancient Persia.
this Simon was a priest of the Babylonian mystery religion.
In fact, the people worshiped him as the “great power of God.”
They believed he was God in the flesh.
The sin of simony, or paying for position and influence in the church, is named for Simon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simony
At this point, Peter strongly reprimands Simon for his greed and states that he
needs to “repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he
may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart” (Acts 8:22).
Fearful of the apostle’s words, Simon pleads with Peter to pray to the Lord on his behalf.
23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Contemporary Christians should take from the account of Simon that the church, even today,
must be careful of those claiming to possess supernatural abilities, and those claiming to be
Christians who desire to “buy the gift of God with money,” for their "heart is not right before God”
(Acts 8:20–21).
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Nicolaitans
The root of the word Nicolaitans comes from Greek nikao, to conquer or overcome,
and laos, which means people and which the word laity comes from.
The two words together especially means the destruction of the people and refers
to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy which later on in
church history divided people and allowed for leadership other than those led
by the spirit of the risen Lord.
A good translation of Nicolaitan would be "those who prevail over the people."
This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy
of priests and clergy lording over the flock.
The Council of Trent stated, "If anyone shall say that there
is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination,
consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema."
Nicolaism (also Nicholaism, Nicolationism, or Nicolaitanism) is a Christian heresy,
first mentioned (twice) in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, whose adherents
were called Nicolaitans, Nicolaitanes, or Nicolaites. According to Revelation 2, vv. 6 and 15,
they were known in the cities of Ephesus and Pergamum.
In this chapter, the church at Ephesus is commended for
"hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate"
and the church in Pergamos is blamed "So hast thou also them
that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans".
Several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Hippolytus,[2] Epiphanius, and Theodoret
mentioned this group, and stated that the deacon Nicolas was the author of the heresy and the sect
The Church of Ephesus was commended for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans.
The wrong separation of the clergy from the laity is a great evil in God's sight
and He hates the lust for religious power over others.
There is an ungodly spiritual authority in the Church today, which is nothing more than the prideful
spirit of control, manipulation, domination and intimidation and a rebellion of the rightful authority
of God. The standard mega pulpit preacher today, any clerical leader or papal type ruling body and
many televangelists are treated as royalty and often are swimming in materialistic pleasures.
You will know them by their fruits.