Saul Persecutes the Church
aNow Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against bthe church in Jerusalem, and they were all cscattered throughout the regions of Judea and dSamaria, except the apostles. 2 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But aSaul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and bdragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Therefore, those awho had been scattered went about, bproclaiming the good news of the word. 5 aNow Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began preaching Christ to them. 6 And the crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was doing. 7 For in the case of many who had aunclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been bparalyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was agreat joy in that city.
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing amagic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, bclaiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “aThis man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astounded them with his amagic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip aproclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being bbaptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed asigns and bgreat miracles taking place, he was constantly astounded.
14 Now when athe apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them bPeter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them athat they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had anot yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been bbaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they abegan laying their hands on them, and they were breceiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit had been bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you supposed you could aobtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have ano part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not bright before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord that, aif possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in athe bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “aPray earnestly to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
An Ethiopian Receives Christ
25 So, when they had solemnly aborne witness and spoken bthe word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were cproclaiming the gospel to many villages of the dSamaritans.
26 But aan angel of the Lord spoke to bPhilip saying, “Rise up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to cGaza.” (This is a desert road.) 27 So he rose up and went; and behold, athere was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he bhad come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then athe Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 And Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:
“aAs a sheep is led to slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He does not open His mouth.
33 aIn humiliation His judgment was taken away;
Who will recount His generation?
For His life is removed from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you earnestly, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip aopened his mouth, and bbeginning from this Scripture he cproclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. 36 And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! aWhat prevents me from being baptized?” 37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, athe Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at aAzotus, and as he passed through he bkept proclaiming the gospel to all the cities until he came to cCaesarea.