8
1 Saul
was consenting to
his death. A great
persecution arose
against the
assembly which was
in Jerusalem in
that day. They
were all scattered
abroad throughout
the regions of
Judea and Samaria,
except for
the apostles.
2 Devout
men buried Stephen
and lamented greatly
over him.
3 But
Saul ravaged the
assembly, entering
into every house
and dragged both
men and women
off to prison.
4 Therefore
those who were
scattered abroad
went around preaching
the word.
5 Philip
went down to
the city of
Samaria and
proclaimed to them
the Christ.
6 The
multitudes listened with
one accord to
the things that
were spoken by
Philip when
they heard and saw
the signs which
he did.
7 For unclean
spirits came out
of many of
those who had
them. They came
out, crying with a
loud voice. Many
who had been
paralyzed and lame
were healed.
8 There
was great joy
in that city.
9 But
there was a
certain man, Simon
by name, who
used to practice
sorcery in the
city and amazed
the people of
Samaria, making
himself out to
be some great
one,
10 to
whom they
all listened, from
the least to
the greatest,
saying, “This man
is that great
power of God.”
11 They listened to
him because for
a long time
he had amazed
them with his
sorceries.
12 But
when they believed
Philip preaching
good news
concerning God’s Kingdom
and the name
of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized,
both men and
women.
13 Simon
himself also
believed. Being baptized,
he continued with
Philip. Seeing
signs and great
miracles occurring, he
was amazed.
14 Now
when the apostles
who were at
Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had
received the word
of God, they
sent Peter and
John to them,
15 who,
when they had
come down, prayed
for them, that
they might receive
the Holy Spirit;
16 for
as yet he
had fallen on
none of them.
They had only
been baptized in
the name of
Christ Jesus.
17 Then
they laid their
hands on them,
and they received
the Holy Spirit.
18 Now
when Simon saw
that the Holy
Spirit was given
through the laying
on of the apostles’
hands, he offered
them money,
19 saying, “Give
me also this
power, that
whomever I lay
my hands on
may receive the
Holy Spirit.”
20 But
Peter said to
him, “May
your silver perish with
you, because you
thought you could
obtain the gift
of God with
money!
21 You
have neither part
nor lot in
this matter, for
your heart isn’t
right before God.
22 Repent
therefore of this,
your wickedness,
and ask God
if perhaps the
thought of your
heart may
be forgiven you.
23 For
I see that
you are in
the poison of
bitterness and in
the bondage
of iniquity.”
24 Simon
answered, “Pray
for me to
the Lord, that
none of the
things which you
have spoken happen
to me.”
25 They
therefore, when
they had testified
and spoken the
word of the
Lord, returned to
Jerusalem, and
preached the Good
News to many
villages of the
Samaritans.
26 Then
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
a desert.”
27 He arose
and went; and
behold, there was
a man of Ethiopia,
a eunuch of
great authority
under Candace, queen
of the Ethiopians,
who was over
all her treasure,
who had come
to Jerusalem to
worship.
28 He
was returning and
sitting in
his chariot, and
was reading the
prophet Isaiah.
29 The
Spirit said to
Philip, “Go near,
and join yourself
to this chariot.”
30 Philip
ran to him,
and heard
him reading Isaiah
the prophet, and
said, “Do you
understand what
you are reading?”
31 He
said, “How can
I, unless
someone explains it
to me?” He
begged 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.
As a lamb before
his shearer
is silent,
so he doesn’t open
his mouth.
33 In
his humiliation,
his judgment
was taken away.
Who will declare
His generation?
For his life
is taken from the
earth.”
34 The
eunuch answered
Philip, “Who is
the prophet
talking about?
About himself, or
about someone
else?”
35 Philip opened his
mouth, and beginning
from this
Scripture, preached
to him about
Jesus.
36 As
they went on
the way, they
came to some
water; and the
eunuch said, “Behold, here is water.
What is keeping me
from being baptized?”
37
38 He
commanded the chariot
to stand still,
and they both
went down into
the water, both
Philip and the
eunuch, and
he baptized him.
39 When
they came up
out of the
water, the Spirit
of the Lord
caught Philip away,
and the
eunuch didn’t see
him any more,
for he went
on his way
rejoicing.
40 But
Philip was found
at Azotus. Passing
through, he
preached the Good
News to all
the cities until
he came to
Caesarea.