Acts 8:1-25

11Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.

And on that day a great persecution 2began against 3the church in Jerusalem, and they were all 4scattered throughout the regions of Judea and 5Samaria, except the apostles. 2Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3But 6Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and 7dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

4Therefore, those 8who had been scattered went about 910preaching the word. 511Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming 12Christ to them. 6The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the 13signs which he was performing. 7For in the case of many who had 14unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been 15paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was 16much rejoicing in that city.

9Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing 17magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, 18claiming to be someone great; 10and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “19This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his 20magic arts. 12But when they believed Philip 21preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being 22baptized, men and women alike. 13Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed 23signs and 24great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14Now when 25the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them 26Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them 27that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For He had 28not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been 29baptized 30in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they 31began laying their hands on them, and they were 32receiving the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could 33obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have 34no part or portion in this 35matter, for your heart is not 36right before God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, 37if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in 38the 39bondage of iniquity.” 24But Simon answered and said, “40Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25So, when they had solemnly 41testified and spoken 42the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were 43preaching the gospel to many villages of the 44Samaritans.