Acts 8:1-11
8:1 And Saul agreed completely with killing
him.
Saul Begins to Persecute the Church
Now on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were forced to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.
8:2 Some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him.
8:3 But Saul was trying to destroy the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
8:4 Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word.
8:5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them.
8:6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the miraculous signs he was performing.
8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed.
8:8 So there was great joy in that city.
8:9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.
8:10 All the people, from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’”
8:11 And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.