Acts 8:18-19
When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Reflection
When Simon saw what happened when Peter and John laid hands on the people and prayed for them he wanted that same ability. He wanted to be able to impart the Holy Spirit upon the people for which he prayed. Simon misunderstood what was happening. This wasn’t magic it was the power of God. However, for a person who practiced magic and who lived in a culture where most anything could be obtained by offering to buy it, he thought he could receive the power he saw demonstrated through Peter and John by offering to pay for it. Simon made a serious miscalculation but it is understandable why he did so.
Have you ever seen a new Christian misunderstand something in the faith? Did you ever misunderstand something in the faith when you were a new believer?
