Acts 8:18

Simon saw. He had been baptized by Philip even as the other Samaritans had been, but the apostles’ hands had not been laid upon him, and he had not received the Spirit, who had been graciously given to the other believers. There must have been a reason for this; perhaps his true nature had already been clearly perceived. The distinction made between him and his fellow countrymen, however, aroused his desire. He saw evidence of their reception of the Spirit. The men were changed; they may have begun speaking with tongues and prophesying; at least it was obvious that the Holy Spirit had entered their lives.

Offered them money. He saw that his fellows were being endowed with abilities far greater than his own, and although he did not possess the Holy Spirit, he desired the power that such possession would bring. He therefore offered money to Peter and John, hoping that he would be able to purchase what he had not freely received. Such conduct reveals the faulty character of his faith and uncovers the motives that controlled him. His offer of money has given its name to a large class of ecclesiastical offenses. Any attempt to purchase spiritual powers or offices is labeled “simony.”