Philip and Simon in Samaria

After believers were scattered, they went from place to place preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. Crowds listened together to what Philip said as they heard his message and saw the signs he was doing.

Unclean spirits came out of many people, crying out loudly. Many who were paralysed and lame were also healed. Because of this, there was great joy in that city.

In that city was a man named Simon. For a long time he had practised sorcery and amazed the people, and they said he was the great power of God. But when Philip preached the good news about God’s kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women believed and were baptised. Simon also believed, was baptised, and stayed with Philip, amazed at the signs and great miracles.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John. They came and prayed for the Samaritan believers, because the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them. They had only been baptised in the name of Christ Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the apostles laying their hands on people, and he offered them money. He asked for this power too. Peter told him that God’s gift could not be bought with money, and that his heart was not right before God. Peter told him to repent of this wickedness and ask God for forgiveness.

Simon replied, asking them to pray that these things would not happen to him. After Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news in many Samaritan villages along the way.