1. Acts 8: 1-25

2. Chapter 7 sees the first Christian martyr Stephen
Background
Chapter 7 sees the first Christian martyr Stephen
We see Saul is persecuting the church
In chapter 8 Christians were scattered (except the apostles)

3. Acts 11: 19-20
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among the Jews. Some of them however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.

4. Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. God was using persecution to spread the good news. Most would only preach to Jews.

5. John 4:9
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jews did not like Samaritans.

6. Many believed
God used this persecution to bring about his will as read in Acts 1:8
Phillip the evangelist went out to Samaria and many were saved

7. Did Simon really believe?
It is possible to believe with your head and not your heart. V13 says he believes but verse make it unclear due to Peter’s words and Simon’s lack of confession. He asks for prayer but does not pray himself? Only God truly knows the hearts of people.

8. John 2:23-24
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. Everyone is saved the same way. John 3:16