The Early Church

And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not his sin to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

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 at that time, there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem. And they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral and made great mourning over him.

But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house: and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.

They therefore that were dispersed went about preaching the word of God.

And Philip, going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.

For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.

And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.

There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:

To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.

And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.

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

Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.

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

Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

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

And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:

Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.