Acts 8:13-25

13Even Simon believed [Philip’s message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched the attesting signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

15They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

16for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession].

17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.

18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

19saying, “Give me this authority and power too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20But Peter said to him, “May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money!

21You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart (motive, purpose) is not right before God.

22So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23For I see that you are provoked by bitterness and bound by sin.”

24But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.”

25So, when Peter and John had given their testimony and preached the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about salvation] in many Samaritan villages [along the way].