Simon Magus a True Convert or Trully a Con?

There has been much controversy among Christians about weather Simon also known as Simon Magus or Simon The Magician was an true believer or just an confidence man. Many good and Godly men have seen Simon as an false convert these men include but are not limited to Matthew Henry, John Calvin, and John Gill. I have to respectfully disagree with these esteemed brethren and although I am not dogmatic about this looking at verse 12 shows Simon was Baptised the early church much as the modern Church should guarded Baptism vehemently. So if Simon was baptised it is more then likely that an true or at least believable confession of faith was made this does not impute some sort of spiritual significance to Baptism one can as I heard an preacher say "go down a dry sinner and come up a wet sinner". Also the greek word for continued in verse 13 would lead me to believe Simon's conversion was legitimate as the greek word used here is the same used in reference to the Apostles continuing in prayer in Acts Chapter 2. Often the response to this would be to direct one to Peter's condemnation of Simon in verses 20-23 but I would also say look at verse 24 in which Simon asks for Peter to pray for him. This is not the action of an unregenerate man I think. Simon was delivered from the sin of Witchcraft his offering money for the gift of laying on of hands could be seen as a falling into old sinful patterns. Much like a person who was delivered from drunkenness or violent anger or an crippling sinful predilection to lust and falls back into it. This does not mean they where never saved to begin with but that they have backslid God can forgive the backslider (see Jeremiah Chapter 3 and verses 12-16. Another example of an improbable convert would be King Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel Chapter 4)who was reduced to insanity but ends up praising Yahweh and His Sovereignty and I feel died an believer I feel. So I would say to you an god who could forgive an blood thirsty tyrant like Nebuchadnezzar or an avaricious sorcerer like Simon can surely forgive one such as I or you friend I tell you repent turn from your sins seek conviction of sin and immolate all your pride and self before Mt. Calvary for it is only at Calvary that one can then gain entrance to Mt. Zion by The blood of Christ alone an garment of Righteousness that is not ours flee from sin and believe while there is still time. Do not put off the day of salvation and sin away the day of Grace for our life is but an vapour here and then gone.