Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

8 Now Saul was giving his consent to Stephen’s death.

That very day a great persecution was started against the church in Jerusalem. Everyone except the apostles was scattered through the lands of Judaea and Samaria. ² Devout men buried Stephen, and made a great lamentation over him. ³ But Saul was doing great damage to the church by going from one house to another, dragging off men and women and throwing them into prison.

Samaria, the spirit and Simon Magus

⁴ Those who were scattered went all over the place announcing the word. ⁵ Philip went off to a town in Samaria and announced the Messiah to them. ⁶ The crowds, acting as one, clung to what Philip was saying, as they heard him and saw the signs he performed. ⁷ For unclean spirits came out of many of them, and several who were paralyzed or lame were cured. ⁸ So there was great joy in that town.