Acts 8:14-24
14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
19saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands 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!
21"You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
24But Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Wow! If only churches could take such harsh stances on spiritual bribery today! Too many churches have been done in by those who tried to control the church through their money and those who succumbed to it. Is your church inspired by money and led by the coercive people who hold purse strings in the church, or is your church inspired by the Holy Spirit and led by our King and High Priest Jesus Christ?
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