The Early Church

and having cast him forth outside of the city, they were stoning him --and the witnesses did put down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul--

and they were stoning Stephen, calling and saying, `Lord Jesus, receive my spirit;'

and having bowed the knees, he cried with a loud voice, `Lord, mayest thou not lay to them this sin;' and this having said, he fell asleep.

And Saul was assenting to his death, and there came in that day a great persecution upon the assembly in Jerusalem, all also were scattered abroad in the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles;

and devout men carried away Stephen, and made great lamentation over him;

and Saul was making havoc of the assembly, into every house entering, and haling men and women, was giving them up to prison;

they then indeed, having been scattered, went abroad proclaiming good news--the word.

And Philip having gone down to a city of Samaria, was preaching to them the Christ,

the multitudes also were giving heed to the things spoken by Philip, with one accord, in their hearing and seeing the signs that he was doing,

for unclean spirits came forth from many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who have been paralytic and lame were healed,

and there was great joy in that city.

And a certain man, by name Simon, was before in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one,

to whom they were all giving heed, from small unto great, saying, `This one is the great power of God;'

and they were giving heed to him, because of his having for a long time amazed them with deeds of magic.

And when they believed Philip, proclaiming good news, the things concerning the reign of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women;

and Simon also himself did believe, and, having been baptized, he was continuing with Philip, beholding also signs and mighty acts being done, he was amazed.

And the apostles in Jerusalem having heard that Samaria hath received the word of God, did send unto them Peter and John,

who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --

for as yet he was fallen upon none of them, and only they have been baptized--to the name of the Lord Jesus;

then were they laying hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

And Simon, having beheld that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Spirit is given, brought before them money,

saying, `Give also to me this authority, that on whomsoever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.'

And Peter said unto him, `Thy silver with thee--may it be to destruction! because the gift of God thou didst think to possess through money;

thou hast neither part nor lot in this thing, for thy heart is not right before God;

reform, therefore, from this thy wickedness, and beseech God, if then the purpose of thy heart may be forgiven thee,