Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Sama'ria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that any one on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me." Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
In a Nutshell
Peter discovered Simon the Magician's error. To make a living he had practised magic. Now he wanted to buy into the ministry of Jesus Christ. Peter put him right.
Questions
Can a person with wrong ideas about being Jesus' disciple still be a Christian?
Philip's work then became known back in Jerusalem. So the apostles decided that Peter and John should go, so that the believers in Samaria would also receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This was an important and historic visit. The new church at this point was caught up in a new phase of God's own dealings with God's own people. These Samaritans had been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus but now they were to be completely united with believers in Jerusalem. Believers in "the Christ" are united in the same Holy Spirit. The church in Samaria and the church in Jerusalem would be one.
When this happened, Simon, the former magician, couldn't help
himself. He saw it as a magical process which he had to master. So he offered
money to Peter. We can only imagine the tone of Peter's reply. This Simon, the
magician, had affronted God's Holy Spirit. He was in grave danger. Peter
confronted him head on: I see that you are in
the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
But this Simon believed and was baptised. But his instincts were still bound to his magical way of life. Peter referred him to Isaiah 58:6. The prophet insisted that a true fast means loosening the bonds of oppression so people can go free. That meant, no more magic. Being Jesus' disciple means there can be no half measures. It's either repentance or a bitter way trying to purchase what cannot be purchased. It's either God's power overpowering you or a power trip on the road to destruction. Simon indicated his desire to keep to the disciple's path, but he would have a tough time. Luke tells us he asked Peter and John to pray for him.
Then Peter and John returned to Jerusalem visiting many Samaritan villages on the way. Full of the Holy Spirit they were able to do what they could not do when Jesus was on His way up to Jerusalem. Now was the time for Isaiah's fast to be proclaimed in those Samaritan towns. The bonds had been loosened.