1And 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 throughout the regions of Judea and of Samaria, except the Apostles.
2Then certain men fearing God, carried Stephen among them, to be buried, and made great lamentation for him.
3But Saul made havoc of the Church, and entered into every house, and drew out both men and women, and put them into prison.
4Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went to and fro preaching the word.
5Then came Philip into the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6And the people gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, with one accord, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7For 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.
8And there was great joy in that city.
9And 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,
10To whom they gave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that great power of God.
11And they gave heed unto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12But as soon as they believed Philip, which preached the things that concerned the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
13Then Simon himself believed also, and was baptized, and continued with Philip, and wondered, when he saw the signs and great miracles which were done.
14Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerusalem, heard say, that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
15Which when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Ghost.
16(For as yet he was fallen down on none of them, but they were baptized only in the Name of the Lord Jesus.)
17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the holy Ghost.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles’ hands the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay the hands, he may receive the holy Ghost.
20Then said Peter unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken, come upon me.
25So 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.
26Then 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.
27And he arose and went on: and behold, a certain Eunuch of Ethiopia, Candace the Queen of the Ethiopians’ chief Governor, who had the rule of all her treasure, and came to Jerusalem to worship.
28And as he returned sitting in his chariot, he read Isaiah the Prophet.
29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to yonder chariot.
30And Philip ran thither, and heard him read the Prophet Isaiah, and said, But understandest thou what thou readest?
31And he said, How can I, except I had a guide? And he desired Philip, that he would come up and sit with him.
32Now the place of the Scripture which he read, was this, He was lead as a sheep to the slaughter: and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.
33In his humility his judgment hath been exalted: but who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34Then the Eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the Prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36And 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?
37And 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 that Son of God.
38Then he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the Eunuch, and he baptized him.
39And 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.
40But Philip was found at Azotus, and he walked to and fro preaching in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.