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ered into the fold of Christ, that he finally sent to Jerusalem for help.
In answer to this petition, the church sent Peter and John to his as-
sistance, who labored in Samaria with wonderful results. They now
perceived the meaning of Christ, when he said, “Ye shall be witnesses
unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth.”
Among the converts in Samaria was one Simon, who, by the power
of Satan through sorcerers, had gained great fame among the people.
“To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This
man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because
that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” But when
he saw a greater power manifested by the apostles in healing the sick
and in converting souls to the truth, he thought that by uniting with the
believers in Christ he might do wonders equal to those accomplished
by the apostles. He hoped thus to add greatly to his fame and wealth,
for he made merchandise of his sorceries and Satanic arts, pretending
to impart their secrets to others.
His darkened mind could not distinguish between the power of
the Holy Ghost and that of Satan. He went to Peter and offered him
money if he would give him power to heal the sick, and impart to
men the Holy Ghost, by laying his hands upon them. Peter was filled
with horror at such a proposal, and severely rebuked the presumption
of Simon. Said he, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast
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neither part nor lot in this matter; for 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. For I perceive
that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
The magician trembled with fear as his sin was presented before
him in this vivid manner. He began to perceive his own wicked
audacity, and entreated Peter to pray that the wrath of God might not
come upon him for his presumptuous sin. Peter had, with startling
force, shown Simon that he was yet untouched by the grace of God;
for if his mind had been thus enlightened, he would have known that
the sacred power of the Holy Spirit could not be bought or sold for
money. Christ, at the infinite price of himself, had obtained for his
people the power of the Holy Spirit, to be given only to his chosen
instruments, whose lives must be free from selfishness and sin.