Acts 8

18 Well, upon observing that the Holy*‘Holy’ is omitted by two (2) manuscripts (against over 600), to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, etc. Those two are ancient, but of objectively inferior quality. Spirit was given through the laying on of the Apostles' hands, Simon offered them money 19 saying, "Give this power to me also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him: "May your silver go with you into perdition,*Peter is really upset and does not mince words; he evidently felt that the sin was so serious as to place Simon’s eternal destiny in doubt (see verse 22, "in case"). Well, the Lord Jesus Himself had taught them that to blaspheme the Holy Spirit was unpardonable, and Peter evidently figured that Simon had come close. for thinking that the gift of God could be acquired with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Turn away therefore from this your wickedness and make petition to God,*Some 5% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘Lord’ instead of ‘God’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). in case the intent of your heart may be forgiven you; 23 for I see you being into a gall of bitterness and a fetter of unrighteousness."*The Text has ‘into’ not ‘in’, thereby emphasizing (I suppose) that this was a long-standing condition. Since gall is bitter, very, I take it that Peter is saying that Simon was controlled by a terrible bitterness. Isaiah 58:6 speaks of "fetters of wickedness", where the fetters have been placed on the victim(s) by wicked men (or angels), presumably [the LXX uses the word that Peter uses here, ‘unrighteousness’]. We don’t know if Peter was thinking of this text, and since Simon was into sorcery/spiritism, the fetter could have been of his own forging. The inspired author says that Simon believed, so I take it that he really did. But the consequences to his soul of years spent in sorcery/spiritism were not immediately, miraculously obliterated. Those in our day who have discipled people converted out of Satanism/spiritism (especially mediums—witches, warlocks) know that those consequences can hang around for quite a while, and be difficult to eliminate. 24 So in answer Simon said, "You*The Text is emphatic. Simon is not being disrespectful; he doubts that his own pleading will do much good, so he begs them to do it for him (God is much more likely to listen to them). make petition to the Lord on my behalf, so that nothing of what you have spoken may come upon me!"