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Act 8:13. Ἐπίστευσε, believed) Perceived, that the power of GOD is not in himself, but is in Philip. It was easier to Simon than to the Samaritans to take up faith; for he felt a power superior to his own. He did not, however, attain to a faith full, justifying, purifying the heart, saving: he had a specious appearance of having reached it, until he betrayed himself in a different character.-βαπτισθεὶς, having been baptized) Hence, by a comparison with Act 8:22 [where baptism over again is not enjoined], it is evident that baptism is not to be repeated in the case of hypocrites and those who have relapsed.-σημεῖα, καὶ δυνάμεις μεγάλας, γινόμενα) The epithet of greatness (μεγάλας) is more appropriate to δυνάμεις, and the participle γινόμενα is more suited to σημεῖα, which move men to faith [therefore γινόμενα agrees with σημεῖα, not with δυνάμεις]. A similar variety (change in the gender) also occurs Eph 2:1, etc., τοῖς παραπτώμασι καὶ ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις· ἐν αἷς-ἐν οἷς, κ.τ.λ. Some have made a change in the μεγάλας; others, in the γινόμενα.[56]
[56] ABC (which omits however γινόμενας) Dd Vulg. Syr. Memph. and Theb. read σημεῖα καὶ δυνάμεις μεγάλας γινόμενας: and so Lachm. Ee read δυνάμεις καὶ σημεῖα (σημια) μέγαλα γινόμενα: so Tisch., but omitting μέγαλα, without any of the oldest authorities.-E. and T.