No — Simon the Sorcerer was not a true believer.
Les Feldick teaches that Simon's belief was a pseudo-profession, a fake and a counterfeit. Although Acts 8:13 says Simon believed and was baptized, he was believing with his head, not his heart, because he saw the apostles' power as a way to material gain. His offer to purchase the Holy Spirit's power revealed a heart that was not right before God.
Acts 8:13 — This verse records Simon's outward profession of faith and baptism, which Les explains was not genuine heart belief.
Acts 8:18-19 — Simon's offer of money for the ability to give the Holy Ghost reveals his motive and heart condition.
Acts 8:20-21 — Peter's rebuke says Simon had neither part nor lot in the matter and his heart was not right in the sight of God.
The Bible records that Simon had practiced sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, so that they all gave heed to him, saying, "This man is the great power of God." When Philip preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, the Samaritans believed and were baptized, both men and women. Then, "Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done" (Acts 8:13). When Peter and John came down from Jerusalem and the Holy Ghost was given through the laying on of their hands, Simon saw it and offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." Peter answered, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Peter then called on Simon to repent of his wickedness, telling him he was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.
Les Feldick teaches that Simon was not a true believer. Even though Acts 8:13 says Simon believed and he was baptized, Les describes that profession as a pseudo-profession — a fake and a counterfeit. Simon believed with his head, not with his heart, because he could see the material gain in the apostles' power. His faith was not a life-changing heart belief. Les also points out that before Philip arrived, Simon had been performing miracles by sorcery and had been gaining wealth from it. This was not the power of God but the power of Satan. When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of Peter and John's hands, he recognized something even more powerful and profitable than what he already had. He wanted to buy into it — to become, as Les puts it, a limited partner. That offer of money revealed his true heart and gave every right to discern that his spiritual condition was not genuine.
Yes, Acts 8:13 says, "Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip." Les explains that this was not heart belief. He says Simon "believed, but not with his heart. He was just believing with the head because he could see the material gain." So the biblical record describes an outward profession, but Les teaches it was not real saving faith.
Les says Simon had been making money for years by performing miraculous things through sorcery, which was actually Satanic power. When he saw the Holy Spirit given through the apostles' hands, he saw something even better and more powerful. He wanted to buy in as a limited partner because he saw the potential for material gain. His request for the same power was motivated by greed and self-interest, not by a transformed heart.
Peter did not accept Simon's money. He told Simon plainly, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." Peter went on to say that Simon had "neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." He instructed Simon to repent of his wickedness and to pray that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
In Acts 8, Philip told the eunuch, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." Les contrasts this with Simon. He says, "Remember the situation up in Samaria with Simon? Oh, he believed, but not with his heart. He was just believing with the head because he could see the material gain." True believing, Les emphasizes, must involve the whole being, the innermost heart.
Simon's Heart Revealed by Money Offer
Les says Simon had been gaining wealth through miraculous power; when he saw the Holy Spirit given through the apostles' hands, he saw an even greater opportunity for money and wanted to buy in as a limited partner.
Simon's Power Was Satanic
Les explains that although the Samaritans called Simon the great power of God, his power was actually the power of Satan, just like the Egyptian magicians.
Head Belief vs Heart Belief
Les contrasts Simon's belief with the Ethiopian eunuch's: Simon believed with his head for material gain, while true faith must be with the heart.
Simon's Profession Was a Pseudo-Profession
Les explicitly calls Simon's profession a pseudo-profession, fake and counterfeit, not real saving faith.
Satanic Miracles
Les compares Simon's miracles to the Egyptian magicians and to witch doctors, emphasizing that their power was real but Satanic, not from God.
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Acts 8:9: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
This introduces Simon's background as a sorcerer before he ever encountered Philip's preaching.
Acts 8:10: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
The people of Samaria viewed Simon as the great power of God, though Les says this was actually Satanic power.
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.
This verse records Simon's outward belief and baptism, which Les says was not genuine heart faith.
Acts 8:18: And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Simon saw the visible evidence of the Holy Spirit's arrival and responded by offering money.
Acts 8:19: Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Simon wanted to purchase the apostles' power for himself, revealing his motive.
Acts 8:20: But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Peter directly rebuked Simon for thinking the gift of God could be bought.
Acts 8:21: Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Peter declared Simon had no share in the matter because his heart was not right with God.
Acts 8:37: And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Philip's condition for the eunuch highlights what Simon lacked: belief from the heart.
No. Les Feldick calls his profession a pseudo-profession — a fake and a counterfeit. Simon believed with his head for material gain, not with his heart.
The text records his outward profession and baptism, but Les explains this was not real heart belief. Simon saw the material potential in the apostles' power, so he made a head-level profession.
Peter was telling Simon that he had no share in the gift of God and that his heart was not right in God's sight. He called Simon to repent of his wickedness.
Les says Simon had gained wealth through sorcery and saw the Holy Spirit's power as even more powerful and profitable. He wanted to buy in like a limited partner, revealing his real motive.
Watch the Teaching: Is Baptism Required for Salvation? What Acts 8 Really Says