I See no suggestion in Acts Ch. 8 that the " the people's sights " were on anything other than Jesus .
There is that "suggestion" by how Simon had thought to buy the power of giving the Holy Spirit himself when he was looking at Peter & John in their laying on of hands. Simon's mentality shows he was still not right in coming to the Lord as his sights were on the men as having this power.
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Please give me the verses in Acts 8 that you base what the people were thinking . Also " fanfare of Philip " , what on God's Good earth are you talking about !
Look at the background Luke gave on Simon and the people in that area in relations to Simon.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
See the fanfare mentioned of the people in that area due to Simon and why. The infamous Simon was replaced with the famous Philip. That is how their eyes of high regard went from Simon to Philip for why they believed Philip in the "things" he was talking "about" but not coming to & believing in Jesus Christ but coming to and following Philip to behold the miracles in believing what he is preaching about.
12 But when
they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Then go back up and continue to read verses 14-24 again for how none of them had received the promise of the Holy Spirit at their salvation yet but were only water baptized in Jesus's name.
That means this cannot be about another baptism with the Holy Ghost when it was written they never had Him yet and thus still unsaved for any that have not the Spirit of Christ, are none of His as Romans 8:9 testifies.
So something was not right in Simon for believing Philip just as something was not right with the people for believing Philip. I discerned this to be because all their sights were on Philip instead of seeing Jesus Christ as doing all those miracles.
Peter and John were
sent to help Philip in Samaria , not because of an error being commited by Phillip .
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Again I have not seen anything to suggest error in what Philip was doing for God in Samaria .
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Notice in this verse they had been baptized but they were still yet to receive The Holy Spirit .
Acts 8: 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Philip was being used of God ! " Lifting their sights off Philip" ? Where is that indicated in Acts 8 ?
Huh ? What are you trying to say here ?
I just meant why Luke had to explain this es the readers had thought Philip was at fault for why Peter & John had to come. By sharing what had happened afterwards, it was the people's fault, those potential new believers for not coming TO & believing IN Jesus Christ to be saved. Sending Peter & John down helped the people see this promise of the Spirit as coming from God for coming to & believing in Jesus Christ but even then, Simon still needed his sights to be lifted higher because he had thought he could buy the power of giving the Holy Spirit from Peter & John.
Why would Simon think that? Because he was a sorcerer which had power to afflict the people supernaturally and so that was how he believed these newcomers were doing this.
Why would the people think Philip was doing all this instead of Jesus Christ? Because before they were familiar with Simon the sorcerer for afflicting them supernaturally.
So that is why Peter & John had to be sent down because God was being careful with them to come to & believe in Jesus Christ to receive the promise.
That is how I discerned this with me and s far He has not corrected me otherwise.
