Book of Common Prayer

8 Saul agreed to Stephen being killed. At that time the church people at Jerusalem had much trouble. The church people all went into Judea and Samaria. Only the apostles stayed on at Jerusalem.

² Good men buried Stephen. They were very sad because he died.

³ Saul made much trouble for the church people. He went into every house, pulled out men and women, and put them into prison.

⁴ The people who left Jerusalem went all around telling the good news about Jesus.

⁵ Then Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about Christ.

⁶ And all the people together listened to what Philip said because they heard and saw the big works which he did.

⁷ Many people who were held by bad spirits were made free from them. The spirits came out of them crying loudly. Many other sick people were healed too. People who could not stand, and others who were lame, were healed.

⁸ The people all over the city were very glad.

⁹ But there was one man named Simon, a witch-doctor, who fooled the people of Samaria. He tried to make people believe that he could do big things.

¹⁰ And all the people, young and old, listened to him. They said, `This man is a big power of God.'

¹¹ He had fooled them for a long time with his work as a witch. That is why they listened to him.

¹² But Philip came and told them about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ. The people believed him. Then both men and women were baptised.

¹³ Simon believed also. When he was baptised, he went with Philip. He was very much surprised when he saw the signs and the big works which were done.

⁶³ The men who guarded Jesus made fun of him and beat him.

⁶⁴ They tied something over his eyes. Then they hit him in the face and said, `Tell us if you know who hit you!'

⁶⁵ And they said many other wrong things to him.

⁶⁶ In the morning the leaders of the people, the chief priests and scribes met together. They took Jesus to their court.

⁶⁷ They said, `If you are the Christ, tell us.' Jesus said, `If I tell you, you will not believe.

⁶⁸ And if I ask you anything, you will not answer.

⁶⁹ From this time on the Son of Man will sit beside God who has all power.'

⁷⁰ They all said, `Then are you the Son of God?" He said, `Yes, I am.'

⁷¹ They said, `We do not need any more proof against him. We ourselves have heard what he said.'