Simon Magus, the first heresiarch in Christianity in patristic sources and the apocrypha of Peter

Abstract

Numerous early Christian scholars have regarded Simon Magus, depicted in the canonical New Testament Book of Acts (Acts 8:4–24), as the inaugural heresiarch and the archetype of all heretics within Christianity. Accounts of his actions, prominently featuring his encounter with St Peter, can be found in apocryphal literature, particularly in the Apocalypse of Peter. This study aims to elucidate the pivotal role of the first heresiarch as the progenitor of all heresies within the Church and to analyze the theme of his conflict with St Peter through a comprehensive evaluation of the apocryphal texts attributed to Peter, encompassing The Acts of Peter (Acta Petri), The Martyrdoms of Blessed Peter the Apostle and Blessed Paul the Apostle Written by Linus the Bishop, The Acts and Passion of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of Pseudo-Marcellus, The Book of Pseudo-Abdias and Pseudo-Clementine. The first segment of this investigation delves into the writings of patristic authors who elucidate the endeavours of Simon Magus and his Gnostic sect. Such authors include Justin Martyr, Philastrius of Brescia, Eusebius of Caesarea, Augustine, Epiphanius of Salamina, the Apostolic Constitutions, Isidore of Seville, John of Damascus. The subsequent part scrutinizes the portrayal of Simon Magus in apocryphal literature by examining texts attributed to Peter, analyzing the core theme of his role as the instigator of the Gnostic Simonian sect and the clash between the heresiarch and Saint Peter in Rome, culminating in Simon Magus’s defeat, downfall, and demise. The Apocrypha of Peter serve to underscore the significant doctrinal authority of St Peter in the early Church and depict the collapse of the nascent Gnostic heresy. These texts not only serve as cautionary tales against heresy but also affirm the presence of Saint Peter in Rome, delineating his activities within the imperial capital and his ultimate martyrdom.