Acts 8:19

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

saying, “Give me also the ability to place my hands on people [and pray] so that they will receive [the miraculous power of] the Holy Spirit.”

Cross References

John 5:44

How can you believe [in me] when you [offer and] accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?

Acts 8:17

Then the apostles placed their hands on [some of] them [and prayed, see verse 15] and they received [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18

Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles’ hands [on people] the Holy Spirit was given [Note: The fact that Simon “saw” something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon], he offered to pay them money [for this power],

Acts 8:20

But Peter said to him, “You and your money will both be destroyed for thinking you could buy this gift from God with money.

3 John 1:9

I wrote a letter to the church [there], but Diotrephes, who loves to be first [in importance] among the members [of the body there], does not receive us [i.e., he did not listen to or acknowledge the authority of us apostles].