Saul the Persecutor
1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.
2
But devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
3
Saul, however, was ravaging the church, and he would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 So those who were scattered went on their way proclaiming the message of good news.
5
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them.
6
The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.
7
For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
8
So there was great joy in that city.
The Response of Simon
9 A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great.
10
They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, "This man is called the Great Power of God!"