But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. —Acts 8:20
Preach in a simple way, and demonstrate. The seal is put upon the word by the Holy Spirit. Many say that when we lay hands upon the people they get mesmerized. I am sorry they do not know more of the power of God. There was a great revival at Samaria. Simon the sorcerer was baptized, but none of them had been baptized with the Holy Ghost. Peter and John went to Samaria and laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Simon recognized the power was different from sorcery, and he wanted it. He offered them money to give him this power, that whomsoever he laid hands on might receive the Holy Ghost. The apostles were horrified. They said, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).
The Holy Ghost and His power are gifts of God. No one can buy them. Many people today do not understand any more than Simon did.
By the laying on of the apostles’ hands something happened: the Holy Ghost fell on those people, and they had great blessing.
Lord, I seek the power of the Holy Spirit
not for my glory but for Yours. Amen.
