Acts 8:1-13 ▼

1 And Saul (asked for) was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church {ekklēsian} in Jerusalem (city of peace), and all except the apostles (sent ones) were scattered throughout Judea (land of praise) and Samaria.

2 God-fearing men buried Stephen (that which surrounds) and mourned deeply over him.

3 But Saul (asked for) began to destroy the church {ekklēsian}. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

5 Philip (friend of horses) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ (the Anointed One) to them.

6 The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.

7 With loud shrieks, unclean (impure) spirits {pneumata} came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 Prior to that time, a man named Simon (hearing) had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people {ethnos} of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,

10 and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power {dynamis} called the Great Power.

11 They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

12 But when they believed (had faith) Philip (friend of horses) as he preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of God {Theou} and the name of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), they were baptized (submerged), both men and women.

13 Even Simon (hearing) himself believed (had faith) and was baptized (submerged). He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles {dynameis} he observed.