Acts 8:1-11 ▼

1 Now Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him.

3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison.

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about, proclaiming the good news of the word.

5 Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began preaching Christ to them.

6 And the crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was doing.

7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;

10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”

11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astounded them with his magic arts.