Note 4 at Acts 8:23: This statement of Peter about Simon certainly shows that Simon's heart wasn't right with God, but it is unclear if that meant that he wasn't truly converted. In verse 20 Peter did mention Simon perishing with his money, however, believers can also get caught up in bitterness and iniquity. This does show us, though, that Simon was bitter, probably because the people's attention and praise had turned from him unto the true and living God. This bitterness had brought him into the bondage of the devil.