{And Simon also himself believed} (Ho de Sim(936e) kai autos
episteusen). Note the same verb in the aorist tense
episteusen. What did he believe? Evidently that Jesus was this
"power of God" not himself (Simon). He saw that the miracles
wrought by Philip in the name of Christ were genuine while he
knew that his own were frauds. He wanted this power that Philip
had to add to his own pretensions. "He was probably half victim
of self-delusion, half conscious impostor" (Furneaux). He was
determined to get this new "power," but had no sense of personal
need of Jesus as Saviour for his sins. So he submitted to baptism
(aptistheis, first aorist passive participle of aptiz(935c)),
clear proof that baptism does not convey salvation. {He continued
with Philip} ((886e) proskarter(936e) t(9369) Philipp(9369)). Periphrastic
imperfect of the verb proskartere(935c) (see on 氧:46|). He stuck to
Philip (dative case) to find out the secret of his power.
{Beholding} (	he(9372)(936e)). Watching the signs and miracles (powers,
dunameis that threw his "power" in the shade) as they were
wrought (ginomenas, present middle participle of ginomai).
The more he watched the more the wonder grew (existato). He had
"amazed" (verse  9 ) the people by his tricks and he was himself
more "amazed" than they by Philip's deeds.