2. 8:4-25 Those who had been scattered (out of Jerusalem) went around preaching the word. Phillip was goIng down to the city of Samaria to proclaim the Christ to them. The crowd heeded the things being said by Philip with one mind. They also saw the signs he was working. Many of those who had unclean spirits came out crying with a loud voice. Many who were paralysed and the lame were healed. There was much joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon who was previously practised magic in the city and who astonished all of Samaria. They thought he was someone great and all of them, from the greatest to the least heeded him. (They said) "This man is great in the power of God" They heeded him because he had astonished them with his magic for a considerable time. But when they believed Phillip who was preaching about the kingdom of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Now Simon himself also believed. And having been baptized he was attaching himself to Philip. On seeing the signs and the great and powerful deeds happening he was amazed. Meanwhile in Jerusalem the apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God. They sent

Peter and John to them. On going down they prayed for them so they (the Samaritans) might receive the Holy Spirit. For he (the Holy Spirit) had not fallen on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they (Peter and John) laid hands on them (the Samaritans) and they received the Holy Spirit. On seeing (all this) Simon saw that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles the Spirit was given. He (therefore) offered them money saying "Give me this authority as well so that on whomever I lay my hands he may also received the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him. "May your silver be to your perdition because you have supposed that you could obtain the gift of God through money. You have no right in this matter for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent from this wickedness and ask the Lord if perhaps he will forgive you the thought of your heart. For I see in you a gall of bitterness and a bond of iniquity." And answering Simon said "You ask the Lord for me so that none of the things you have spoken about will come upon me." They (Peter and John) therefore gave solemn witness and on speaking the word of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem. Many of the villages of the Samaritans were evangelized.

In Samaria Phillip converts the Samaritans traditional outsiders