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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Philip's preaching of the risen Christ in Samaria after the ascension was successful, and those who had once been bitter enemies received the disciples, believed and were baptized, so that the gospel reached Samaritans as well as Jews. In Samaria the word was received and the Spirit was waiting to enlighten souls and convert them to the truth, and the work grew so greatly that Philip sought help from Jerusalem. The verse reports that Simon himself believed, was baptized, stayed with Philip, and watched the miracles and signs with amazement.
Simon Magus is classed among those who sought supernatural power and welcomed satanic influence, and unlike those who suffered under demonic possession, he had no conflict with the demons whose influence he accepted. He later opposed the gospel and was exposed as a deceiver, and he is identified as a sorcerer whom Nero favored. His baptism and outward response placed him among the believers and disciples, though he was an unworthy and false believer. His example shows that the presence of false believers does not disprove Christianity or justify discouragement. His case illustrates that false believers may be found in the church and that servants of Christ must bear patiently with them rather than assume they can safely remove them.
The chapter containing the verse is to be carefully studied as the pattern for missionary work, meaning the gospel must spread by entering cities and unworked places instead of neglecting the cities and centering workers and means where work has already been done. The pattern requires experienced men to divide and subdivide, to establish small schools in new places rather than large interests needing much means, and to put up only unpretentious buildings with no extravagant buildings for display. It requires taking workers along to educate them in different lines of work including humble labor and dispensing books and papers with simple Bible lessons, beginning work in several places and uniting in one city and then dividing to enter the next city. It requires giving themselves to God so the Holy Spirit cooperates and makes the truth a power, with heaven waiting for truly converted men baptized with the Holy Spirit.
The account of Philip presents the work called for, to hear the voice of God and go where He sends, even with much effort put forth for even one man. The Ethiopian in the same account represents a large class who are reading the Scriptures and cannot understand their import and need those who have a knowledge of God to explain His Word to them, and neglect of this heritage brings judgment.