Acts 8:14-25
The Word of God Cannot Be Purchased
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
15On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.
19“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
21You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
22Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.
Berean Standard Bible
The apostles in Jerusalem hear that Samaria has received the word of God, so Peter and John go to pray for the believers. Simon sees the Spirit given through the apostles' hands and offers money for the same authority.
May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Peter tells Simon to repent and pray. Simon's request for prayer shows fear, but the passage leaves his heart under examination. The apostles testify and preach the word in many Samaritan villages on their way back to Jerusalem.
The apostles in Jerusalem hear that Samaria has received God's word, so they send Peter and John. Their visit matters because the new believers are not treated as a separate Christian class. The apostles pray for them and lay hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit.
Simon sees this and offers money for the ability to give the Spirit to anyone he chooses. Peter's rebuke goes to the heart: God's gift cannot be bought, managed, or used to build personal power. Simon's heart is not right before God, even though he has made a public profession and seen remarkable things.
Peter tells him to repent and pray, while Simon asks the apostles to pray for him. The passage does not invite us to speculate about whether his fear is sincere. It does insist that spiritual language and religious participation must be joined to a heart that turns from bitter ambition. Afterward the apostles testify and return to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news in Samaritan villages along the way.
Questions
1 Why did Peter and John go to Samaria?
AnswerThey went to pray that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit.
2 What did Simon offer?
AnswerHe offered money in exchange for the ability to give the Spirit.
3 What did Peter command Simon to do?
AnswerHe commanded him to repent and pray for forgiveness.
4 What did the apostles do on their return?
AnswerThey testified and preached the word in many Samaritan villages.
What This Means for Us
God's gifts are not products. Do not use money, status, or spiritual language to control what God gives freely. Let conviction lead to repentance, not merely to fear of consequences.
Prayer
Father, keep us from turning ministry into power for sale. Give us repentant hearts and joy in gifts that cannot be bought. Amen.