Acts 8:18–20 tells a very interesting story that has a lot of insight regarding justification:
“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.”
Peter is addressing a man named Simon, who appears to be some kind of sorcerer for hire. He witnessed Peter and Philip laying hands on the people of Samaria. As the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and miracles occurred, Simon thought, Wow! Just think how my business would profit if I had that power! So Simon offered them money, hoping that they could sell the power of the Holy Spirit to him.
Peter’s response was quick and to the point, even harsh. His response basically boils down to saying, “To hades with your request!” For Peter, it was outrageous to think that the gifts of God could be purchased for money.
Yet many people believe and insist that salvation can be earned the same way—by purchase. This theology is not any different than what Simon tried to do, even though the Bible has such a severe response to those claiming they can pay for what God gives!
Why does the Lord react so strongly to the notion that His gifts can be purchased? “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Luke 18:21, 22).
Go back to the beginning of this book and read the amazing fact about the former slave. He wanted to give money to Lincoln as payment for his freedom. But for Lincoln the price was already paid in blood, and to take money for it would be an insult.
What has been paid for our freedom from Satan’s bondage? The blood of Christ. Do you think offering money to God, who gave the life of His only Son, makes much sense at all? Might it be insulting to God to be paid for the gift He has offered freely to you?
The saying goes that “freedom isn’t free.” Christ paid your debt because you couldn’t pay it. How silly then would it be to give God money, or works, to obtain your salvation in light of the work Christ already did on your behalf? Ephesians 2:8 confirms, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
“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.”
Peter is addressing a man named Simon, who appears to be some kind of sorcerer for hire. He witnessed Peter and Philip laying hands on the people of Samaria. As the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and miracles occurred, Simon thought, Wow! Just think how my business would profit if I had that power! So Simon offered them money, hoping that they could sell the power of the Holy Spirit to him.
Peter’s response was quick and to the point, even harsh. His response basically boils down to saying, “To hades with your request!” For Peter, it was outrageous to think that the gifts of God could be purchased for money.
Yet many people believe and insist that salvation can be earned the same way—by purchase. This theology is not any different than what Simon tried to do, even though the Bible has such a severe response to those claiming they can pay for what God gives!
Why does the Lord react so strongly to the notion that His gifts can be purchased? “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Luke 18:21, 22).
Go back to the beginning of this book and read the amazing fact about the former slave. He wanted to give money to Lincoln as payment for his freedom. But for Lincoln the price was already paid in blood, and to take money for it would be an insult.
What has been paid for our freedom from Satan’s bondage? The blood of Christ. Do you think offering money to God, who gave the life of His only Son, makes much sense at all? Might it be insulting to God to be paid for the gift He has offered freely to you?
The saying goes that “freedom isn’t free.” Christ paid your debt because you couldn’t pay it. How silly then would it be to give God money, or works, to obtain your salvation in light of the work Christ already did on your behalf? Ephesians 2:8 confirms, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
'the truth shall set you free' - John 8:32
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