Was Simon the Sorcerer saved?

It certainly does... I wonder if Simon knew the scriptures though; I suppose he did being among the Samaritans- they had Deuteronomy. Their conversation is a little hazy "you need to pray and repent", " You pray for me, so that doesn't happen", that's not a bad thing to ask, but... I feel like I would have asked for more- like, I would ask Peter to help me deal with the situation right then and there; I'd be like "will you pray with me right now and help me fix this?", maybe he was still holding onto something about his life of sorcery... maybe there was an idol he was attached to or something, that he thought he could continue-like it says- in his stubborn ways, he could pay for the power, and it would be "his" to do his sorceries with, or whatever; but that isn't the case- so he had to work through that still.

The demons also believe and tremble. But they will be in Hell, along with Simon.

Simon believed and was baptized. This would indicate he was saved by anyone's definition. He was contrite when Peter rebuked him. I see nothing to indicate he was anything other than saved.

Many believe that Simon the Sorcerer was actually a believer, others say he was not, and still others say he was saved but then lost his salvation. If we interpret scripture correctly, one CANNOT lose their salvation. The book of Ephesians teaches that once someone accepts and believes in the Truth of Jesus Christ, then that person's salvation is "sealed". Concerning Simon the Sorcerer, there is really not a lot to go on. The Bible doesn't say too much about this man. Church leaders such as Justin Martyr describe Simon as having heretical views, claiming that he is known in history as Simon Magus, "Magus" being a term which means sorcerer or magician. In our history books we learn that Simon the Sorcerer had followers called "Simonians" which held certain gnostic beliefs. This also led to the belief that he was one of the originators of Gnosticism. Philip Schaff, author of History of the Christian church, believes Simon was in constant opposition to the Apostle Peter. But not all church leaders have such a bad opinion of Simon. Some have suggested that Scripture points to him having the same saving faith as the rest of the people being baptized in the book of Acts.

Acts 8:13
"Then Simon himself believed also: And when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." It would seem in this passage that Simon received the same saving faith as the people in verse 12 did. Would it not be arbitrary to deny Luke's affirmation of Simon's salvation while accepting his affirmation of the other's?

Acts 8:17-23
Peter and John laid their hands on the people so that they received the Holy Spirit. Simon was amazed at seeing this and asked how he could receive such power. Peter says to him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." Although Simon had made an outward profession of faith(baptism), his response demonstrates his lack of spiritual life. Every Christian can fall into temptations just as easily as Simon did.

Arguments for Simon's salvation
1. We have to trust and believe that since the author, Luke, who was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, revealed that the Samaritans believed and were baptized and were saved, then we must also have to include Simon.
2. Peter never says that Simon didn't believe nor rejected Christ.
3. Simon responds by asking the Apostles to pray for him, which normally describes a believers response.
Arguments against Simon's salvation
1. Simon practiced sorcery and demonstrated illusions of the mind, which some people would attribute this as a way to discredit God's power.
2. Church leaders take to passages such as Acts 8:21, "heart not being right with God."
3. Simon pleads with Peter to pray for him on his behalf to the Lord. Many take this to mean that if Simon were saved he could have prayed himself and asked God's forgiveness, if he were truly saved.

We should be careful when examining these passages concerning Simon the Sorcerer's salvation. The passages of scripture just doesn't give the reader enough information to make a doctrinal conclusion. But scripture does say that Simon believed. Just because the Bible doesn't mention the Holy Spirit falling upon him, doesn't mean He never did. Simon's NEED in the story many not have been to be saved.......maybe he already was? Maybe it was to repent of specific sins and be forgiven. Grace that saves unbelievers freely will also forgive believers abundantly.

I say
Jesus is talking about His death here and his rejection from the elders and chief priests in your quote---------- and Peter is simply rebuking what Jesus is saying ---Peter had no clue that Jesus was meant to die or be rejected ----so Peter was just rejecting what Jesus was saying because he was ignorant as to the Spiritual reason Jesus was sent by His father -----non of the disciples knew that Jesus was sent to die -----and so Peter;s thinking was not on what God wanted but what he saw as not happening ---AND ------Jesus says That -----For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

So what is your point here -----????----
There is no comparison between Simon and Peter if that is your point -------

Simon heart was never with God ---it was with his own self interest ----Peter was just ignorant as to why Jesus was sent ----

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Compare this -------Peter was the only one who knew who Jesus was ------this was revealed to Peter by God -----Peter's heart was with God ----and Wisdom and knowledge is given to him by God


Mark 8:27-30

Amplified Bible

Peter’s Confession of Christ

27 Then Jesus and His disciples went out to the villages of [a]Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 They answered Him, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.”

29 And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replied to Him, “You [in contrast to the others] are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

30 Then Jesus strictly warned them not to tell anyone about Him.

Simon the sorcerer is said to have “believed and was baptized” at the preaching of Philip (Acts 8:13) but later, when Simon offers the apostles money to have their ability to impart the Holy Spirit (verses 18–19), he is rebuked by Peter. Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. (verses 20-21) Peter went on to tell Simon to repent of his wickedness and said he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. That doesn't sound like saved to me.

Simon followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. Even though we read that Simon "believed," the remainder of the verse hints at the true object of his belief: "the miracles and signs which were done".

There are different levels of belief, and different objects of belief, and not all that’s called "belief" is saving belief in Christ. In the parable of the soils, we see a shallow, temporary belief that has no root, produces no fruit, lacks moisture and withers away. (Matthew 13:20-21; Luke 8:6). Such soil represents a sinner not properly prepared in heart to believe unto salvation.

John has portrayed people who "believe" but are clearly not saved. There is a stage in the progress of belief in Jesus that "falls short of firmly rooted and established belief resulting in salvation." As we see in John 2:23-25, in which their belief was superficial in nature and Jesus would not entrust/commit Himself to them.

Also, in John 8:31-59, where the Jews who were said to have "believed in him" turn out to be slaves to sin, indifferent to the words of Jesus’, children of the devil, liars, accused Jesus of having a demon and were guilty of setting out to stone and kill the one they have professed to believe in.

In James 2:19, we read that the demons believe "mental assent" that there is one God, yet they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in/reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe in/on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance is in Satan, as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

Peter went on to tell Simon to repent of his wickedness and said he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. That doesn't sound like saved to me.

As we see in John 2:23-25, in which their belief was superficial in nature and Jesus would not entrust/commit Himself to them.

I read in verse 9 that he "previously" practiced sorcery, not that he continued in it after having believed. And I read in verse 24 that when he was rebuked he did not despise it but asked for prayer, seeking mercy - which seems to me to be in keeping with repentance.

All of us stumble and have need of forgiveness - even Peter who rebuked Simon was himself rebuked at times. Because Peter stumbled do i imagine he is not saved? No, I read that Peter believed. Likewise I read that Simon also believed.

It certainly does... I wonder if Simon knew the scriptures though; I suppose he did being among the Samaritans- they had Deuteronomy. Their conversation is a little hazy "you need to pray and repent", " You pray for me, so that doesn't happen", that's not a bad thing to ask, but... I feel like I would have asked for more- like, I would ask Peter to help me deal with the situation right then and there; I'd be like "will you pray with me right now and help me fix this?", maybe he was still holding onto something about his life of sorcery... maybe there was an idol he was attached to or something, that he thought he could continue-like it says- in his stubborn ways, he could pay for the power, and it would be "his" to do his sorceries with, or whatever; but that isn't the case- so he had to work through that still.

I wouldn't say they are the same thing but they are closely related.

John 3
3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”

I think he was saved: he believed.
My heart's not always right with God - when I let my mind drift where it ought not.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Acts 8:21 (KJV)
"This matter" is laying on of hands for people to receive the Holy Ghost. I've never had a part in that matter - even when my heart IS right with God.
Practical sanctification (after salvation) is a life long process; which involves repenting of one's wickedness, getting out of the gall of bitterness, and getting freed from the bond of iniquity.

if Simon, having believed and then stumbled, is not saved - are ANY of us saved?

Interesting that Philip could not lay hands on them and impart the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit did not fill them either at belief or baptism, as He did in other places like Acts 10-11.

Would anyone dare speculate Philip is not saved?

Acts 8:14-16
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

if Simon, having believed and then stumbled, is not saved - are ANY of us saved?

The book of Ephesians teaches that once someone accepts and believes in the Truth of Jesus Christ, then that person's salvation is "sealed".

Is being born again the same as salvation ?