The Early Church

They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit!”

He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the emissaries.

Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.

But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.

Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around proclaiming the word.

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Messiah.

The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.

For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

There was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,

to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”

They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

But when they believed Philip proclaiming good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yeshua the Messiah, they were immersed, both men and women.

Simon himself also believed. Being immersed, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.

Now when the emissaries who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and Yochanan to them,

who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been immersed in the name of Messiah Yeshua.

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

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

saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.

Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.