Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
The problem is that the people were crediting God erroneously for something, which to their minds, that was apparently good. The same is true in our day where so-called faith healers claim that it is the power of God operating in and through them. Thus, many are inadvertently led to put darkness for light and bitter for sweet, and evil for good.
But the Bible issues a stern warning to us pertaining to deception on this very point, for if we believe it is God who is working, when He is not, the praise and thanksgiving for the works of healing will ultimately flow through the so-called healer to satan, who, in the minds of the people, must be God.
Thus, many persons have inadvertently been taken in this snare, and with some, it has become quite difficult to reverse course, for what can you say to the contrary, if an individual who has actually been healed by one of these false prophets believes that it is God who performed the good work?
Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!