8:16. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
8:17. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.
They laid their hands upon them, etc… The apostles administered the sacrament of confirmation, by imposition of hands, and prayer; and the faithful thereby received the Holy Ghost. Not but they had received the grace of the Holy Ghost at their baptism: yet not that plenitude of grace and those spiritual gifts which they afterwards received from bishops in the sacrament of confirmation, which strengthened them to profess their faith publicly.
8:18. And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
8:19. Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:
8:20. Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
8:21. Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
8:22. Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
8:23. For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.
8:24. Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.