1. Now Saul was in agreement with Stephen’s execution. On that day a great persecution arose against Messiah’s community in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the emissaries.
2. Some devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
3. But Saul was destroying Messiah’s community, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he was throwing them into prison.
4. Now those who had been scattered went around proclaiming the Word.
5. Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
6. The crowds were paying close attention to what Philip was saying—as they both heard and saw the signs that he was doing.
7. For unclean spirits were coming out of many who were plagued, shrieking with a loud voice. Many paralyzed and crippled were healed also.
8. So there was great joy in that city.
9. Now a man named Simon had been practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great.
10. They all were paying special attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’”
11. And they kept paying attention to him, because for a long time he had astonished them with his magical arts.
12. But when they believed Philip proclaiming the Good News about the kingdom of God and the name of Messiah Yeshua, both men and women were immersed.
13. Even Simon himself believed; and after being immersed, he continued with Philip. And when he saw signs and great miracles happening, he was continually amazed.