Chapter 8 of Acts provides a critical pivot in the overarching narrative of Acts. After the death of Stephen, a severe persecution breaks out in Jerusalem (8:1–3); as a consequence, “those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word” (8:4). Thus begins the “turn to the Gentiles”, a series of events in … Continue reading Magic in Samaria: Simon and the Samaritans (Acts 8)