Acts 8:1-25, "Scattered & Empowered by the Spirit"

After Stephen's death, persecution breaks out and believers flee Jerusalem into the surrounding regions, with Philip carrying the gospel into Samaria. There, his preaching, healings, and exorcisms draw large crowds, and even Simon the sorcerer believes and is baptized alongside many others. When Peter and John arrive and pray for the new believers, the Holy Spirit falls on them. Simon tries to purchase that power, only to be sharply rebuked by Peter. The apostles preach the gospel in still more Samaritan villages before returning to Jerusalem. What does authentic transformation look like versus performance?