g Judaism[51]; or, as in the case of
the Samaritans, to such as were of mixed Jewish descent, and clung to
the Law of Moses, though with manifold corruptions; or, again, to
proselytes like the Ethiopian eunuch. The Apostles, we read, continued
at Jerusalem, doubtless by God's command and under His special
protection.

[Sidenote: Conversion of Samaria.]

The conversion of the despised city of Samaria was effected by the
instrumentality of the Deacon St. Philip[52], whose preaching and
miracles were followed by the baptism of large numbers of the people,
and, amongst them, of one Simon {22} of Gittum, better known as Simon
Magus (i.e. the magician, or sorcerer), who had claimed supernatural
powers, and given himself out to be an emanation from the Deity, or
even God Himself. [Sidenote: St. Peter and St. John sent to confirm.]
St. Philip, as a Deacon, could not complete the gift begun in Holy
Baptism, and St. Peter and St. John were sent down by the Apostles from
Jerusalem, that they might confirm the Samaritan converts by prayer and
the Imposition of Hands. Confirmation in those early days of the
Church was wont to be accompanied by a bestowal of miraculous gifts of
the Holy Ghost; and the wondrous signs following upon this, the first
Confirmation mentioned in God's history of His Church, led the still
unbelieving Simon to long for the ability to confer similar powers.
[Sidenote: The unbelief of Simon Magus.] He dared to offer money to the
Apostles with this view, and drew from St. Peter such a reproof as for
a time pierced through even the heart which had hardened by an abuse of
holy things. But this penitence was of short duration. He became the
author in the Church of a deadly heresy called Gnosticism, mixing up
what he had learnt of the doctrines of Christianity with heathen
philosophy and sinful living, and making pretence of being endowed with
miraculous gifts. [Sidenote: His end.] This first heretic is said to
have perished miserably whilst endeavouring to fly through the air at
Rome[53], St. Peter praying at the same time that he might no longer be
suffered to hinder the salvation of souls.

{23}

[Sidenote: The Gospel preached in Antioch.]

Another important result of the Sauline persecution was the preaching
of the Gospel in the important city of Antioch by the Greek-speaking
Jews who sought refuge there[54], and who addressed themselves to their
Hellenist countrymen. It was in this city, the third