Simon and the Power of God
Learning about God’s priesthood
A man named Simon lived in Samaria. When he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, he believed. He was also amazed by the miracles that Jesus’s disciples did with the power of God. Simon was baptized, and so were many other men and women in Samaria.
The Apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria were being baptized. Peter and John went to Samaria. Using the power of God, the priesthood, they laid their hands on the people who had been baptized and gave them the gift of the Holy Ghost.
When Simon saw Peter and John do this, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this power.” He wanted to buy the priesthood of God so that he could give the gift of the Holy Ghost too.
Peter explained that no one can buy the power of God. It is a gift from Him. Peter told Simon that his heart needed to change. He invited Simon to repent and pray to God for forgiveness.
Simon was sorry. He asked Peter to pray for him to help him change.