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Scripture • World English Bible
Acts 8:9–25
9But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
10to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11They listened to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
Reflection
In Samaria a new work of God was underway: people were turning from sorcery and joining the movement of Jesus. Philip’s preaching brought faith, baptism, and powerful signs. One man in particular, Simon, had a history of impressing the crowd with occult arts. He came to believe and was baptized, and he remained with the believers, astonished by what he saw. But when the apostles came and the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands, Simon made an offer that exposed his heart: he wanted to buy that same ability to pass the Spirit to others.
Peter’s response is sharp and uncompromising. He calls Simon’s money to perish and tells him plainly that the gift of God cannot be obtained with silver. More than that, Peter confronts the deeper problem: Simon’s heart was not right before God. The issue wasn’t only greed; it was the attempt to convert a divine, undeserved gift into a commodity to be controlled, displayed, or traded. Peter then calls Simon to repent and warns him that bitterness and bondage lie behind his request.
This scene teaches a central truth about the Christian life: God’s gifts—especially the Holy Spirit—are not rewards earned by purchase or spectacle. They are given by God’s grace and received by faith. The Spirit comes to unite us to Christ, to empower our witness, to sanctify our desires, and to produce humility and love. When we try to treat spiritual blessing as a tool for status, influence, or profit, we distort the gospel and wound our souls.
There is compassion in Peter’s rebuke as well as firmness. He does not cast Simon out but urges repentance and asks him to seek forgiveness. Simon’s reply, asking for prayer, suggests fear and perhaps a recognition of his condition, though the text leaves his ultimate change ambiguous. The passage shows that God’s grace both rebukes and restores: correction aims to turn us back to dependence on God rather than on ourselves.
For believers today, this account is a mirror and a warning. Temptations come in many forms: the desire to be seen as gifted, to control outcomes, to achieve influence, or to turn ministry into personal gain. The remedy is the same Peter urged—repentance, humility, and a renewed reliance on the Spirit. Rather than seeking proof or power to impress, we are called to cultivate a heart that treasures Christ and his undeserved gift above all. The Holy Spirit shapes motives, empowers faithful service, and produces fruit that money cannot manufacture.
Take heart: God’s gifts are graciously given. If your struggle is pride, ambition, or bargaining with God, there is a way forward—honest repentance, prayer, and a commitment to live by the Spirit. The church’s leaders are to protect the purity of the gospel and to guide believers into authentic dependence on God’s empowering presence. May we be a people who receive the Spirit with gratitude, steward spiritual gifts with humility, and labor for God’s glory rather than our own.
Putting Faith Into Action
- Examine motives before you serve or seek a ministry role. Pray and write down why you want to serve—if status, recognition, or income sneaks in, confess it and ask God to reshape your heart. Invite a trusted brother or sister to hold you accountable.
- Cultivate dependence on the Spirit rather than techniques or displays. Practice regular, simple disciplines: set aside time to pray for the Spirit’s filling, fast from distractions for a set period, and submit to the guidance of mature believers when you sense a call.
- Refuse to monetize spiritual influence. If you lead, teach, or serve, establish clear boundaries about gifts, money, and recognition. Serve sacrificially and anonymously at times—seek opportunities to give away credit and to bless others without expectation of return.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you that the Holy Spirit is your gracious gift. Forgive us for the times we’ve treated your gifts like possessions to be bought or trophies to display. Change our hearts, give us humility, and fill us with your Spirit so we may serve for your glory alone. Teach us to depend on you and to love others sacrificially. Amen.
Memory Verse
Acts 8:20 — But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (WEB)
“But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”
Bible Context
Read all of Acts 8
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Bible Context
Read all of Acts 8
Acts 8
World English Bible • WEB
1Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
2Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him.
3But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison.
4Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
7For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8There was great joy in that city.
9But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
10to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11They listened to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
26Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
28He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
32Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,
33In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.
34The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
36As they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
38He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
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