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His influence over them arose from their having been, for a long time, bewildered by his sorceries.
12
But when Philip began to tell the Good News about the Kingdom of God and about the Name of Jesus Christ, and they embraced the faith, they were baptized, men and women alike.
13
Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized remained in close attendance on Philip, and was full of amazement at seeing such signs and such great miracles performed.
14
When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted God's Message, they sent Peter and John to visit them.
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They, when they came down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
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for He had not as yet fallen upon any of them. They had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
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Then the Apostles placed their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
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When, however, Simon saw that it was through the laying on of the Apostles' hands that the Spirit was bestowed, he offered them money.
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"Give me too," he said, "that power, so that every one on whom I place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit."
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"Perish your money and yourself," replied Peter, "because you have imagined that you can obtain God's free gift with money!
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No part or lot have you in this matter, for your heart is not right in God's sight.