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Acts 8:13 says it was because he saw that through the laying on of the apostle's hands the Holy Ghost (miraculous measure, that is USN) was given, he offered them (the apostles USN) money.
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!!!!!!!First we have to set the stage...Philip was proclaiming Christ and unclean spirits coming out of them shouting with a loud voice and the paralyzed and lame were healed and there was much rejoicing.

Acts 8:4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.
6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.
7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

!!!!!!! v.9-13 Simon was a man that practiced magic and the people were beliving Simon was of 'the great power of GOD'. In verse 11 and 12 we have a great change even in Simon. Between these 2 verse people believed the good news about the kingdom of GOD and the name of Jesus Christ and were being baptized. Even Simon believed and was baptized as he observed, he was constantly amazed.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;
10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, "This man is what is called the Great Power of God."
11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

!!!!!!!v. 14-17 This seems like big news when the apostles sent in Peter and John to help out (I believe) with the peoples FAITH. Verse 15 is very important here Peter and John prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit.

I believe a person can be baptized, study the bible, go to church everytime the doors are open and know scripture BUT untill they cross over to the likeness of a child in there belief of Jesus Christ and GOD IN FAITH they will never have the Holy Spirit.

IMHO!!!!!!!The Laying on of hands and PRAYING was an act by the apostles to bring down the Holy Spirit and to help the people cross over into 'having faith' that they had the Holy Spirit and the same liberties of the apostles.

I also believe this is just not a one time deal, receiveing the Holy Spirit and maintaining and KEEPING the high place of faith to preform signs and miracles is a full time job only for the sincere of HEART. I believe you can have the Holy Spirit and lose it.

I have never spoke in tougnes or preformed a mricale but there are things I have witnessed of myself. When it has had to be the Holy Spirit that took over. Another story for another day.

~~~~~~~~~~Watch what Mathew says about faith...20 And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. See more reference here...

http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?SearchType=AND&language=english&version=NASB&searchpage=0&search=mustard+seed&x=14&y=8

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

!!!!!!! Simon tried to buy something that can only be rceived through the HOLY SPIRIT and FAITH as we see the apostles tell him in verse 20-21 May you perish with your money, because you thought you could obtain the GIFT of GOD with money, YOUR HEART IS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD.

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

!!!!!!! v 22-24 Now we see that Simon can repent and his heart forgiven. Siomon Humbled himself and ask that the apostles to pray for him.

22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
24 But Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

I have to run out for a while but will be back later. Give this some thought and let me know what you think.