8:10. To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.

8:11. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.

8:12. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

8:13. Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.

8:14. Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

8:15. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

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,