New Testament in a Year

Saul Attempts to Destroy the Church

8 And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. ³ But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering house after house,^[a] he dragged off both men and women and^[b] delivered them^[c] to prison.

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

⁴ Now those who had been scattered went about proclaiming the good news of the word. ⁵ And Philip came down to the city of Samaria and^[d] began proclaiming^[e] the Christ^[f] to them. ⁶ And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard him^[g] and saw the signs that he was performing. ⁷ For many of those who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them,^[h] crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Magician

⁹ Now a certain man named^[i] Simon had been in the city practicing magic and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. ¹⁰ They were all paying attention to him,^[j] from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’” ¹¹ And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astonished them with his^[k] magic. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he^[l] was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized. ¹³ And Simon himself also believed, and after he^[m] was baptized he was keeping close company with^[n] Philip. And when he^[o] saw the signs and great miracles that were taking place, he was astonished.

¹⁴ Now when^[p] the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who went down and^[q] prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (For he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized^[r] in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then they placed their^[s] hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ Now Simon, when he^[t] saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my^[u] hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!” ²⁰ But Peter said to him, “May your silver be destroyed along with you,^[v] because you thought you could acquire^[w] the gift of God by means of money! ²¹ You have no^[x] part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!” ²³ For I see you are in a state of bitter envy^[y] and bound by unrighteousness.”^{[z] 24} But Simon answered and^[aa] said, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.” ²⁵ So when^[ab] they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back toward Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.