Acts of the Apostles 8

Scattered by Persecution

1Saul approved of his killing. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all of them were scattered through the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Devout men buried Stephen and mourned him loudly. 3But Saul set about ravaging the church: going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and handed them over to prison. 4Those who had been scattered traveled from place to place, announcing the good news of the word. 5Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. 6The crowds listened with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard him and saw the signs he was doing. 7For unclean spirits came out of many who had them, shrieking at the top of their voices, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Sorcerer

9Now a man named Simon had been in the city for some time practicing magic and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming that he was somebody great. 10Everyone, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him. “This man is the power of God that is called Great,” they said. 11They paid attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he announced the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, men and women alike. 13Simon himself believed as well; and after his baptism he stayed close to Philip, astonished at the signs and the great acts of power he saw taking place. 14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16for the Spirit had not yet come upon any of them — they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 19“Give me this authority too,” he said, “so that anyone I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20Peter said to him, “May your silver be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy God’s gift with money. 21You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not straight before God. 22So repent of this wickedness of yours and beg the Lord that, if it is possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are full of bitter gall and bound fast in wickedness.” 24Simon answered, “Beg the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing you have said may come upon me.” 25When they had borne witness and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, announcing the good news in many Samaritan villages.

The Ethiopian on the Gaza Road

26An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south, to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” It is a desert road. 27So he got up and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28He was on his way home, sitting in his chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and stay close to that chariot.” 30Philip ran up and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. “Do you really understand what you are reading?” he asked. 31“How could I,” the man said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to climb up and sit with him. 32The passage of Scripture he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who can speak of his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.’ 34The eunuch said to Philip, “Tell me, please: who is the prophet speaking about — himself, or someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting from that Scripture he announced to him the good news of Jesus. 36As they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, water! What is there to keep me from being baptized?” 37Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, it is allowed.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”* 38He ordered the chariot to stop, and the two of them went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again; he went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip turned up at Azotus, and as he traveled he announced the good news in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.