Acts 8:4–25

Philip Goes to Samaria

⁴The believers who had been scattered preached the word everywhere they went. ⁵Philip went down to a city in Samaria. There he preached about the Christ. ⁶The crowds listened to Philip. They saw the miraculous signs he did. They all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷Evil spirits screamed and came out of many people. Many who were disabled or who couldn’t walk were healed. ⁸So there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Evil Magician

⁹A man named Simon lived in the city. For quite a while he had practiced evil magic there. He amazed all the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great. ¹⁰All of the people listened to him, from the least important of them to the most important. They exclaimed, “This man is known as the Great Power of God!” ¹¹He had amazed them for a long time with his magic. So they followed him.

¹²But Philip preached the good news of God’s kingdom. He preached the name of Jesus Christ. So men and women believed and were baptized. ¹³Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip everywhere. He was amazed by the great signs and miracles he saw.

¹⁴The apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria had accepted God’s word. So they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵When they arrived there, they prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶The Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷Then Peter and John placed their hands on them. And they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸Simon watched as the apostles placed their hands on them. He saw that the Spirit was given to them. So he offered money to Peter and John. ¹⁹He said, “Give me this power too. Then everyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰Peter answered, “May your money be destroyed with you! Do you think you can buy God’s gift with money? ²¹You have no part or share in this holy work. Your heart is not right with God. ²²Turn away from this evil sin of yours. Pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³I see that you are very bitter. You are a prisoner of sin.”

²⁴Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me. Pray that nothing you have said will happen to me.”

²⁵Peter and John gave witness and preached the Lord’s word. Then they returned to Jerusalem. On the way they preached the good news in many villages in Samaria.