Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness." Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me."

Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken of the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Acts 8:14-25

A man named Simon thought that by offering the disciples money he could purchase the right to heal people by the laying on of hands. Peter rebuked him. It is dangerous to think that the power of the Holy Spirit is like a product that can be purchased and sold. The Spirit’s work is a gift of God that is freely given on the basis of faith, and faith alone. He has given us His Spirit to accomplish His purposes, not ours. The Spirit cannot be bought or bargained for. Have you thanked the Lord for the gift of His Spirit, which resides in us?

We don’t need more of the Spirit;

the Spirit needs more of us.

Our Daily Bread – July 22, 2004