‘… When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he brought money to them and said, “Give me too this power so that he on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you because you thought to obtain the gift of God for money; you have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness of yours and pray God if it may be that the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of wickedness.” Simon answered, “Do you pray to the Lord for me, so that none of the things you spoke of may come upon me.’ Acts 8:18-24).

Simon and his fellow-practitioners (soothsayer and astrologers) believed in their own powers. Simon, was however impressed with the visible effects of the laying of hands and he tried to buy the ability to do what the apostles could do. Simon was exposed to the Truth but he resisted personal conversion rather he thought he could buy the Holy Spirit’s power. Just as in the early church and ancient world, many have not risen above the level of Simon and his fellow-practitioners. Laying of hands is not just a ‘materialistic view of the transference of the Spirit.’ The touch of the apostles was deeply spiritual experience rather than ‘unworthy buying and selling of ecclesiastical offices’ and power. No amount of money can buy salvation and forgiveness of sin. The foundation for effective preaching and teaching is personal repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Let us pray against exaltation of self which is ever the danger of the preacher and teacher. Let us pray for repentance that the preacher and teacher may see preaching and teaching as Truth through personal encounter with Jesus Christ.