1
And Saul approved of their killing him. That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
2
Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him.
3
But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
4
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word.
5
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
6
The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did,
7
for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured.
8
So there was great joy in that city.
9
Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great.
10
All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."
11
And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.