Saul Persecutes the Congregation
AND Saul did agree to his execution. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria (except the apostles).
2 And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3 Now Saul, injured the congregation, entering into house after house, and dragging men and women off, delivering them into prison.
Christ Preached in Samaria
4 ¶ Therefore, those that were scattered abroad went everywhere proclaiming the word.
5 And Philip went down into the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.
6 And the crowds with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke; hearing and seeing the signs which he did:
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed by them; and many paralyzed and lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Confessions of Faith
9 ¶ But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria; saying that he 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 for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news 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 closely with Philip, and wondered, beholding the powerful works and signs which were done.
The Sorcerer’s Sin
14 ¶ Now when the apostles which were in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent out to them Peter and John;
15 Who, when they had come down, prayed concerning them: that they receive the Holy Spirit
16 (For as yet He had fallen upon none of them; they were only baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus).
17 Then they laid their hands on them: and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 ¶ Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them silver;
19 Saying: “Give me also this authority, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him: “Your silver be destroyed together with you; because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 You have no part, nor share in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore from your wickedness, and beseech God: if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in bondage to iniquity.”
24 Then answered Simon, and said: “May you pray to the Lord on my behalf, that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me.”
25 ¶ Then they, when they had witnessed and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Christ Preached to an Ethiopian
26 ¶ And an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: “Arise, and go toward the south upon the road that goes down from Jerusalem into Gaza, which is desert.”
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia; a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians (who had the charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship);
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet.
29 ¶ Then the Spirit said to Philip: “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30 And Philip ran up to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said: “Do you understand what you read?”
31 And he said: “How can I, except some man should guide me?” And he besought 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 before his shearer is silent, so He opened not his mouth;
33 In His lowliness, His verdict was taken away: and who shall speak of His generation? for His life is taken from the earth.”
34 ¶ Now the eunuch answered Philip, and said: “I beseech you, of whom speaks the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture: and proclaimed to him Jesus.
36 And as they went on the road, they came upon some water; and the eunuch said: “See, here is water; what hinders me to be baptized?”
37 And Philip said: “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” 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 both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up from 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 Now Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through, he preached in all the cities, until he came into Caesarea.