Simon Magus

Simon Magus, or the SORCERER, a native of Samaria, and probably a Gnostic, was practising his art in his native country when Philip began to preach and perform miracles. Simon professed to be converted and was baptised, but, on his offering money to Peter for the gift of the Holy Spirit, he was excommunicated. He then returned to his old errors, upon which he grafted a system of his own -- the AEons or intermediate spirits, governing the world under the Supreme Deity, being one of his inventions. The ecclesiastical sin of simony derives its name from him.