Acts:8:2-25

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* And devout men carried Stephen to his burial , and made great lamentation over him . * As for Saul , he made havoc of the church , entering every house , and dragging off men and women , committing them to prison . * Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word . * Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them . * And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip , hearing and seeing the miracles which he did . * For unclean spirits , crying with a loud voice , came out of many who were possessed ; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed . * And there was great joy in that city . * But there was a certain man called Simon , who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria , claiming that he was someone great , * to whom they all gave heed , from the least to the greatest , saying , "This man is the great power of God ." * And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time . * But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ , both men and women were baptized . * Then Simon himself also believed ; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip , and was amazed , seeing the miracles and signs which were done . * Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God , they sent Peter and John to them , * who , when they had come down , prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit . * For as yet He had fallen upon none of them . They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus . * Then they laid hands on them , and they received the Holy Spirit . * And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles ' hands the Holy Spirit was given , he offered them money , * saying , "Give me this power also , that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit ." * But Peter said to him , "Your money perish with you , because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money ! * You have neither part nor portion in this matter , for your heart is not right in the sight of God . * Repent therefore of this your wickedness , and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you . * For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity ." * Then Simon answered and said , "Pray to the Lord for me , that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me ." * So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord , they returned to Jerusalem , preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans .

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