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8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
8:4
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
8:5
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.
8:6
The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
8:7
With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.
8:8
So there was great joy in that city.
8:9
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great,
8:10
and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”
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They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
8:12
But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
8:13
Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
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When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
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On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
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For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
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Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
8:18
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.
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“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
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But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
8:21
You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
8:22
Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
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For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
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Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
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And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.