Acts 8:1-17 ▼

1 BUT Saul was delighted with his execution. Now on that very day commenced a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all, besides the apostles, were dispersed through the regions of Judea and Samaria.

2 Then some pious men assembling, carried Stephen to his grave, and made great lamentation over him.

3 But Saul ravaged the church, entering into the houses, and dragging men and women, cast them into prison.

4 Those therefore who were dispersed, travelled through the country, preaching the word.

5 But Philip, going down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.

6 And the multitudes with united minds were very attentive to the things spoken by Philip, when they heard him, and saw the miracles which he did.

7 For the unclean spirits, roaring with great cries, came forth out of many who were possessed: and many who were paralytic and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But a certain man, named Simon, lived previously in that city, who practised magic, and astonished the nation of Samaria, giving out himself as an extraordinary great personage:

10 to whom all gave heed from the small to the great, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they attended, because he had of a considerable time astonished them by his magical tricks.

12 But when they believed Philip, who preached the glad tidings of the things which related to the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both men and women.

13 Then Simon also himself believed: and being baptised, he attached himself to Philip, and beholding the signs and great miracles which were performed, he was astonished.

14 But when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 for as yet he had not fallen on any one of them: only they had been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.