The Early Church

and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.

And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

For from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was much joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great.

And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

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

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

for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.