1. And Saul was consenting to his death.On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2. Devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him.
3. But Saul ravaged the church, entering house by house and dragging out both men and women and committing them to prison.
4. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
5. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
6. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miracles which he did, they listened in unity to what he said.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed. And many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
8. So there was much joy in that city.
9. Now a man named Simon was previously in the city practicing sorcery and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying he was someone great,
10. to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
11. They listened to him, because for a long time he had astonished them by his sorceries.
12. But when they believed Philip preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.