The Promise of the Father

<p>THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER</p> <p>Acts 8:1. Saul fully approved of Stephen’s execution. And then there arose a great persecution against the Jerusalem church, which caused disciples to flee from Jerusalem and be scattered throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria. But the apostles stayed in Jerusalem 2. Some faithful disciples carried Stephen to be buried, and there was much grieving and lamentation over him. 3. But Saul continued to ravage the church, charging into peoples’ houses and dragging men and women off to prison. 4. And those that fled Jerusalem were scattered and began preaching the word everywhere they went. 5. Philip went to the city of Samaria, preaching Christ to the people there, and  everyone in that place listened intently to what Philip said and saw the miracles that occurred through his ministry. 7. Evil spirits, crying out loudly, came out of many people who were oppressed. And many that had been frail and paralyzed and crippled were healed 8. And great joy broke out in that city. 9. There was a man there called Simon, who had been a sorcerer in that city for a long time, bewitching and beguiling the people of Samaria, claiming that he was some almighty person. 10. Everyone there, from the least to the greatest had paid awesome respect to this man, saying that he had the almighty power of God, and they all revered him because for many years he had bewitched them with his sorcery. 12. But when they listened to Philip’s preaching on the things of the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized, both men and women.13. Then Simon himself also became a believer and after being baptized, he committed himself to following Philip, and he was amazed and astounded by the mighty power he saw in the miracles done through Philip’s ministry. 14. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard the news that Samaria had received the word of God they sent Peter and John to go and see what was happening. 15. And when they got there they prayed for the people to receive* (*lambano – take hold