
14 Now when the 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 that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then 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 you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” (Acts 8:14-24)
Brothers and Sisters, please do not get caught up in the delusion that you need to pay someone for God’s gifts. I remember years ago I was caught up a bit with many of the teachers in the Prophecy Club. Towards the tail end of this ministry they thought it was a good idea to start teaching how to tap into the “Four Fold Ministry if God” or something that effect. Feel free to correct me otherwise. But the point is, to get into their seminar you had to pay a few hundred dollars. Going back to Scripture, it’s apparent God’s gifts are given freely to those who ask. How do I know? I can show you in two Scriptures.
Scripture No 1:
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for [e]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”(Luke 11:9-13)
Scripture No 2:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.(1Cor 12:4-11)
So then isn’t it God through the Holy Spirit who gives the gifts? Yes and even more so according to His will. Not ours. My friends, be safe and cautious in your journey. Watch who you support in these last days. It is getting darker.
Thank you Al. Great post. The Lord has determined to make salvation monetarily free. He has determined to make the receiving of His Holy Spirit monetarily free. He has determined to make all the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit monetarily free. As you know, however, it costs us our heart freely given.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.” [Matthew 10:8]
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. [1Corinthians 2:12-13]
Blessings
(For some reason WP will not allow me to “Like” anymore, on posts or comments. Please Note.)
RJ, God Bless brother, great response and I have no need to add to it. For the Truth stands on its own for anyone with ears to hear.
PS your like does show on my side.
Thanks Al. I appreciate you Brother. Hope all is well.
(My Likes are suddenly restored…) Praise God