simon the sorcerer founder of the roman catholic church

Simon Magus became a favorite of the emperor as well as his successor, Nero. when Claudius Caesar was the emperor of the Roman Empire: In this account, Simon Magus arrived in Rome and demonstrated many of his magical powers for the emperor, who was so impressed that he declared the sorcerer to be a god and had a statue honoring him placed between two bridges on the Tiber River. Just as Jesus’ apostles ventured forth to spread the Good News through Asia Minor, Samaria, Palestine, and parts of Europe, Simon Magus adherents also traveled the same routes.įollowing is an example of Simon’s power in 42 C.E. Simon Magus claimed to be a Christian, but in reality he was preaching paganism in the name of Christianity. Parts of all of these religious ideas were combined by Simon Magus to create a universal (catholic) church. One of their more restrictive dogmas was that marriage for sexual reproduction was evil and worthless sexual pleasure was forbidden. Gnostics also believed in secret knowledge that was forbidden to be shared outside their cult. In Rome, the Christian leaders failed to teach its members the difference between the true church and its counterfeit by Simon Magus. Gnosticism contained just enough of the gospel to attract Christians away from the apostolic church. Gnostic religions were common at that time with its mystical and secret rites, He further created mystical rites, initiation enchantments, and various sacraments that remain to this day.

He fully intended to replace Jesus and mix His teachings with those of his pagan religions. What you might not know about Simon MagusĪnd his creation of the counterfeit-Christion churchĪfter Simon Peters’ rebuke as discussed in Part I, Simon Magus went about creating his own church.

Simon the sorcerer founder of the roman catholic church