Scripture Reading Sunday, November 15, 2015 Monica DePoy

Our New Testament Lesson comes from Acts 8: 4-25

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip

went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowds with

one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he

for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed;

did, 7

and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that

city.

9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed

the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to

the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called

Great.” 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them

with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about

the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and

women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with

Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God,

they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might

receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only

been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on

them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given

through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me

also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But

Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain

God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before

God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible,

the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness

and the chains of wickedness.” 24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of

what you have said may happen to me.”

25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to

Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD!