11Saul was in heartyagreement with putting him to death. And on that day a greatpersecutionbeganagainst2 the church in Jerusalem, and they were all3scatteredthroughout the regions of Judea and 4Samaria, except the apostles.
2
Some devoutmenburiedStephen, and madeloudlamentationover him.
3
But 5Saul began ravaging the church, enteringhouseafterhouse, and 6dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4Therefore, those7who had been scatteredwentabout8preaching the word.
5
9Philipwentdown to the city of Samaria and began proclaimingChrist to them.
6
The crowds with oneaccord were givingattention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signswhich he was performing.
7
For in the case of many who had10uncleanspirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loudvoice; and many who had been 11paralyzed and lame were healed.
9
Now there was a mannamedSimon, who formerly was practicing13magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, 14claiming to be someonegreat;
10
and they all, from smallest to greatest, were givingattention to him, saying, "15Thisman is what is called the GreatPower of God."
11
And they were giving him attentionbecause he had for a longtimeastonished them with his 16magicarts.
12
But when they believedPhilip17preaching the goodnewsabout the kingdom of God and the name of JesusChrist, they were being 18baptized, men and womenalike.
13
EvenSimonhimselfbelieved; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed19signs and 20greatmiraclestakingplace, he was constantly amazed.
14
Now when 21the apostles in Jerusalemheard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them 22Peter and John,
15
whocamedown and prayed for them 23that they might receive the HolySpirit.
16
For He had 24not yetfallen upon any of them; they had simplybeen25baptized in the name of the LordJesus.
17
Then they 26began laying their hands on them, and they were 27receiving the HolySpirit.
18
Now when Simonsaw that the Spirit was bestowedthrough the laying on of the apostles'hands, he offered them money,
19
saying, "Givethisauthority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the HolySpirit."
20
But Petersaid to him, "May your silverperish with you, because you thought you could 28obtain the gift of God with money!
21
"You have 29nopartorportion in thismatter, for your heart is not 30rightbeforeGod.
22
"Thereforerepent of thiswickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, 31ifpossible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23
"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in 32the bondage of iniquity."
24
But Simonanswered and said, "33Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
An Ethiopian Receives Christ
25So, when they had solemnly34testified and spoken35the word of the Lord, they startedback to Jerusalem, and were 36preaching the gospel to manyvillages of the 37Samaritans.