“1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was
a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they
were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria,
except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial],
and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of
the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women
committed [them] to prison.”
“4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where
preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed
unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of
many that were possessed [with them]: and many taken with palsies, and
that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the
least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched
them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the
things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they
were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also:
and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered,
beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”
“14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria
had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive
the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they
[their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when
Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost
was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power,
that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But
Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast
neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the
sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God,
if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I
perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of
iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me,
that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And
they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord,
returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the
Samaritans.”
“26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go
toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza,
which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of
Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the
Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to
Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot
read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near,
and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to [him],
and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what
thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide
me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The
place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to
the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not
his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment 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 pray thee, of whom speaketh
the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip
opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him
Jesus. 36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain
water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to
be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. 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
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he
baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord caught away Philip, that 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.” (Acts 8:1-40 AV)
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