Daily Bible Reading Day 179

Job 10-12; Acts 8:1-25.  In this cycle Job states rather clearly that he doesn't understand what is happening to him. He does believe what his three friends believe - namely that what is happening to him (Job) usually happens to those who are wicked. Job knows he isn't in the wicked category so he wants God to explain it to him. Zophar now weighs in the discussion. He doesn't really add anything to what the others have said.

After Stephen's death Saul gains confidence and enthusiasm to stop Christianity. He starts dragging people to prison for believing in Jesus. The persecution becomes so bad that people are scattered from Jerusalem. Far from being a bad thing the people leave and start proclaiming the word as they are traveling. The apostles however do not leave. 

Philip leaves and goes to Samaria. He is up against Simon the magician. I think the KJV calls Simon a sorcerer. This is perhaps correct since magic back then was often associated with a pagan god or what we call the occult. Many believe and are baptized, including Simon. None of them are filled with the Holy Spirit to do miraculous things. So Peter and John are sent. They pray and then lay hands upon the Samaritans and they receive the Holy Spirit and begin to do miracles. Simon tries to buy this ability and Peter condemns him. I think Simon is repentant.