Acts 8:18–25

The gift of Holy Spirit can never be purchased. 

God’s mercy and grace, this gift that cost so much to the the Father, was given to mankind, in the person of Jesus Christ. This gift of salvation is freely given to all who will, by faith, accept Jesus Christ. He did not leave us alone but we are sealed by Holy Spirit. He will reside in us and guide us in His will for our life. All for God’s glory.

God sees our faith in the salvation of Jesus when He sees us. In His grace our sins, though many, are forgiven.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours."

This from Nadia Bolz-Weber, “I thought of this all week when reading this story about Jesus appearing to his disciples. Because what I realized is I find it comforting that that his resurrection did not erase the marks of having lived his life or even having endured his death.

I find it comforting that when Jesus rose from the dead he was recognizable by his scars.

Jesus came and stood among his disciples and said peace be with you, then he didn’t try and hide the mark from the spear on his side. He didn’t wear gloves to conceal his scars.  Jesus came and stood among his disciples and said peace be with you then he showed them his hands and his side. He knew that he would be known by his wounds...

Our scars and our sorrow will always be part of our story but they will never be the conclusion of our story. Which means that even when you feel trapped in your pain, trapped in your past, trapped in your own story like it is itself a tomb, know this — that there is no stone that God cannot roll away.”Sabbath Moments

Mark it down. You will never go where God is not. You may be transferred, enlisted, commissioned, reassigned, hospitalized, but brand this truth on your heart: you can never go where God is not. “I am with you always,” Jesus promised (Matthew 28:20 NKJV). Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident. Meet your fears with faith. Max Lucado

Acts 8:18–25

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” The New King James Version

Simon grossly misunderstands the Spirit’s power, the apostles’ ministry, and the character of Jesus and His kingdom. Simon shows he has not genuinely understood or submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ. He is interested in possessing the apostles’ power rather than embracing their message.

The gift of God of is the Holy Spirit. 

Peter excludes Simon from the Church and its ministry. Peter discerns Simon’s true motives through Simon’s actions. Even as Peter condemns Simon, he still holds out hope to him if he will genuinely turn from his sin and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Simon understands the gravity of Peter’s words, but Luke does not report whether Simon ever truly repented. Simon’s statement could be understood as him seeking to avoid the Holy Spirit being against him, not necessarily him seeking Christ. Faithlife Study Bible

Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given. 

Give me this power indicates that Simon was a believer. However, he confused the work of God with his previous magical practices. Because others had paid him for the secrets of his magic, he may have simply thought that this was the best way to approach Peter. He soon learned the error of his ways. The NKJV Study Bible

The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. 

No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. 

Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. 

Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. 

Think not that Christianity is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon’s repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. 

Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.