The Persecution Scatters the Church
1. And Saul was consenting to his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2. And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3. But Saul was ravaging the assembly, entering into every house, and dragging men and women, he delivered them into prison.
Philip in Samaria
4. Therefore those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
5. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6. And the multitudes with one accord were giving heed to the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, were coming out of many who were possessed; and many paralytics and lame were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Sorcerer Believes
9. But there was a certain man called Simon, who formerly was practising magic in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself was some great one.
10. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This one is the power of God which is called great.”
11. And they were giving heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
12. But when they believed Philip, proclaiming the good news concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.
13. Then Simon himself also believed, and after being baptised, he continued with Philip; and seeing the signs and great miracles which were done, he was amazed.
Peter and John in Samaria
14. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John.
15. Who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16. for He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Simon the Sorcerer Rebuked
18. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19. saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20. But Peter said to him, “Your silver perish with you, because you thought to obtain the gift of God with money!
21. You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
24. Then Simon answered, and said, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
25. Now when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, and had returned to Jerusalem, they preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
27. And he arose and went; and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship,
28. and was returning, sitting in his chariot, and reading Isaiah the prophet.
29. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and join yourself to this chariot.”
30. And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31. And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he desired Philip to come up and sit with him.
32. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He opens not His mouth.”
33. In his humiliation, his judgement was taken away; and who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.
34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”
35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
36. And as they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptised?”
37. Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him.
39. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
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