The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously ^(A)practiced ^[a]sorcery in the city and ^(B)astonished the ^[b]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his ^[c]sorceries for a long time. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things ^(C)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The Sorcerer’s Sin

¹⁴ Now when the ^(D)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them ^(E)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For ^(F)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. ^(G)They had only been baptized in ^(H)the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then ^(I)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because ^(J)you thought that ^(K)the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your ^(L)heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God ^(M)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are ^(N)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, ^(O)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”