Refutation of All Heresies, Vol. 2

p. 265. brought salvation to men through his own discernment. Original: dia tēs idias epignōseōs.
Since the angels misgoverned the world through love of rule, he says that he came to set it straight. He changed his shape, making himself like the rulers Reading archontes for archai. and authorities and angels, and appeared as a man, though he was not a man; he seemed to suffer in Judea, though he did not suffer. He appeared to the Jews as the Son, in Samaria as the Father, and among the other nations as the Holy Spirit. He submitted to be called by whatever name men wished to give him. He also claimed the Prophets were inspired by the world-making angels to utter their prophecies; therefore, those who have believed in Simon and Helen do not heed the prophets, and to this day do what they will, considering themselves free. They claim they have been saved by his grace. No one is liable to judgment if he does anything evil, for evil exists not by nature, but by law. p. 266. He says it is the angels who made the world who created the Law, whatever they wished, thinking to enslave those who hearkened to them. They also say that there will be a dissolution of the world for the redemption of their own men.

20. Therefore, the disciples of this man practice magic arts and incantations, sending out love-philtres, charms, and the demons called "dream-bringers" to trouble whom they will. They also do reverence to the so-called Paredri Assessors or coadjutors; likely spirits or entities aiding the magician.. They have an image of Simon in the form of Zeus, and one of Helen in the form of Athena, and they bow down to them, calling the one "Lord" and the other "Lady." If any one among them, seeing these images, should call them by the name of Simon or Helen, he is cast out as ignorant of their mysteries. This Simon, when he had led astray many...