Acts 8

Religious leaders start to bring pressure. The Church begins to be seen not as Jews who follow Jesus but something apart from Judaism. The Church in Jerusalem is now persecuted. People scatter after imprisonment starts.

Philip now practices in Samaria, a land north of Jerusalem. Samaria greats him with open arms and he heals many. Even a sorcerer named Simon, powerful in his own right, is baptized after committing to Jesus as a result of Philip's ministry.

Peter and John are sent to Samaria to check out what's happening. They seemed to be needed to complete what Philip did. The new faithful seemed to have the right idea but where not powered by the Holy Spirit. Peter and John lay hands on them and they receive the Spirit.

Simon the sorcerer so impressed with the laying on of hands that he tries to buy the "trick" to convey the Spirit's power. The apostles realize that the conversions are coming too fast because Simon wants the Spirit for the wrong reasons, selfish reasons. The Church is expanding so fast that part of the process is being overlooked. Even today, people think that being a Christian comes from joining a church rather than accepting Jesus and the Spirit into our lives by repenting (changing the direction of our lives.) Repentance is imperative. Simon complies.

Philip then meets a foreign official who is reading the Bible but doesn't understand it. Philip guides him in understanding and the official requests baptism after realizing that Jesus is the person the scripture passage is talking about. Philip immediately moves on. He has the work of an Evangelist (telling the Good News) and has more people to reach.