Not for Sale
- Bishop Keith Butler
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (Acts 8:17-21)
Acts 8:17-21 holds some truths that are often overlooked. For example, these men had already accepted Jesus, but the apostles sent Peter and John to them so they could receive the Holy Ghost. In other words, there is a biblical basis for a second experience with the Holy Ghost after salvation. In salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in the believer for the development of God’s character. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer, it empowers them to be a witness.
Second, something happens when Christians receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost that can be seen or heard. Otherwise, Simon the sorcerer wouldn’t have offered money for it. He saw power in action, not theory or theology, but demonstration. Simon was a man who made his living impressing crowds with magic, and he obviously saw something that he deemed worthy of his hard-earned cash. What do you think Simon saw or heard that inspired him to try to make this deal? He heard them speaking in tongues, and he was so amazed by it that he tried to buy the anointing, but Peter told him it was not for sale. You cannot buy God’s power. You can’t trade it, bargain with it, or manipulate it. It is freely given by God and received by His own who operate in faith and obedience. Don’t try to buy godliness; just surrender to it and live it.
Practical Application
The new birth saved you, but the baptism of the Holy Ghost empowers you. Receive that gift, then stir it up by praying in tongues. You can’t buy it; just receive it freely, use it boldly, and walk in it daily.