Acts 8:9-19

9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.

12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Simon said,

Can I buy some ability

to lay my hands on anyone

and they too could receive the H.S.?????????

Simon had a good thing going on with his magic. Apparently he had a some groupies who were quite impressed with his tricks. But when Philip came to town and performed miracles along with sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ, he had many who believed and were baptized, including Simon!!!

How interesting that the people of Samaria did not received the gift of the Holy Spirit until Peter & John came to lay their hands upon them, THEN they received the Holy Spirit.