Upon hearing the news of the spreading gospel in Samaria, the apostles Peter and John come to examine the situation and pray that the new believers would receive the Holy Spirit. Simon the magician, amazed and envious of the supernatural ability of the apostles, offers money in exchange for instruction on how to perform this Holy Spirit prayer. In his stern yet loving rebuke, Peter tells Simon that the true gift of God, his presence through the gospel, cannot be bought with silver, but was bought with blood on the cross of Calvary. A closer look at Simon’s heart reveals that he was striving to earn what can’t be paid for and was dwelling in bitterness and evil, but such a heart is never too far gone to repent and to return to the giver of the gift of salvation.