Acts 8:1-13 ▼

1 Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.

2 Devout men buried Stephen as they mourned loudly for him.

3 But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.

4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place preaching the word.

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began to preach the Messiah to the people.

6 The crowds, hearing his message and seeing the signs that he was doing, paid close attention to what was said by Philip.

7 Unclean spirits screamed with a loud voice as they came out of the many people they had possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed.

8 As a result, there was great rejoicing in that city.

9 Now in that city there was a man named Simon. He was practicing occult arts and thrilling the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.

10 Everyone from the least to the greatest paid close attention to him, saying, |This is what we call the great power of God!|

11 They paid careful attention to him because he had thrilled them for a long time with his occult performances.

12 But when Philip proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and about the name of Jesus the Messiah, men and women believed and were baptized.

13 Even Simon believed, and after he was baptized he became devoted to Philip. He was amazed to see the signs and great miracles that were happening.