Acts 8: Buy the Gift of God? No

Posted by admin on Friday, October 23, 2015

Acts 8: 18-20 Money Quote saying your money is useless if you believe you can buy grace and goodness of god by paying for the privilege. Acts 8: 18-20 said:
 

 

“When Simon saw that the 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’ Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!'” — Acts 8: 18-20

 

 

This Bible passage recounts Simon the Sorcerer attempting to purchase the power to impart the Holy Spirit with money.

The best interpretation is that it warns against treating spiritual gifts as a commodity that can be bought and sold. Peter’s strong condemnation of Simon suggests one should not see religious authority or salvation as something that can be obtained through wealth or material exchange alone.

The verse implies true spiritual wisdom and virtue cannot be purchased – it must be received as a blessing from God based on faith and character. It promotes the idea that the gifts of the divine are not for sale at any price.

Overall, the passage discourages monetizing or commercializing holy matters for personal gain. It teaches that what comes from God cannot be possessed or controlled through financial means for corrupt purposes, but rather is bestowed freely according to divine will.

Peter on How to Make your Money Perish

Posted by admin on Sunday, August 4, 2013

Apostle Peter in Acts 8: 20 Money Quotation saying we can very often buy the favor of politicians, but buying gifts from God is not possible. Apostle Peter in Acts 8: 20 said:
 

 

“May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” — Acts 8: 20

 

 

This verse is referring to Simon the Sorcerer, who witnessed the apostles in Samaria performing miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. Simon then offered the apostles money, saying “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

The apostle Peter strongly rebukes Simon for thinking he could “buy” or obtain this spiritual gift with material wealth. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not something that can be purchased or earned, but is given freely by God alone.

The verse serves as a warning that spiritual things cannot and should not be commodified or treated as something that can be bought and sold. It emphasizes that true spiritual power and gifts come only from God, not from any earthly or material means.