|
[1]And Saul consented to his death, and at that time, there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and of Samaria, except the Apostles.
[2]Then certain men fearing God, carried Steven among them, to be buried, and made great lamentation for him.
[3]But Saul made havoc of the Church, and entered into every house, and drew out both men and women, and put them into prison.
[4]Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went to and fro preaching the word.
[5]Â Then came Philip into the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
[6]And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, with one accord, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
[7]For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed of them: and many taken with palsies, and that halted, were healed.
[8]And there was great joy in that city.
[9]And there was before in the city a certain man called Simon, which used witchcraft, and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying, that he himself was some great man.
[10]To whom they gave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
[11]And they gave heed unto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
[12]But as soon as they believed Philip, which preached the things that concerned the kingdom of God, and in the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
[13]Then Simon himself believed also and was baptized, and continued with Philip, and wondered, when he saw the signs and great miracles which were done.
[14]Â Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerusalem, heard say, that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
[15]Which when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
[16](For as yet, he was come down on none of them, but they were baptized only 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 the hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
[20]Then said Peter unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money.
[21]Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God.
[22]Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
[23]For I see 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]Â So they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel in many towns of the Samaritans.
[26]Then 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 waste.
[27]And he arose and went on: and behold, a certain Eunuch of Ethiopia Candaces' the Queen of the Ethiopian's chief Governor, who had the rule of all her treasure, and came to Jerusalem to worship:
[28]And as he returned sitting in his chariot, he read Isaiah the Prophet.
[29]Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to yonder chariot.
[30]And Philip ran thither, and heard him read the Prophet Isaiah, and said, But understandest thou what thou readest?
[31]And he said, How can I, except I had a guide? And he desired Philip, that he would come up and sit with him.
[32]Now 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 humility his judgment hath been exalted: but who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
[34]Then 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 let me to be baptized?
[37]And Philip said unto him, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Then he answered, and said, I believe that that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
[38]Then 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 as soon as they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more: so he went on his way rejoicing.
[40]But Philip was found at Azotus, and he walked to and fro preaching in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.
|