Acts 8

1 And Saul was in full agreement with his killing. And on that day there came a great persecution against the gathering in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [a] 2 And reverent men carried Stephen out together and made a great lament over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the gathering, going into one house after another; and dragging off men and women, he handed them over to prison.

4 So those who had been scattered went through the land bringing the good news of the word. 5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. [b] 6 And the crowds with one mind paid attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs he was doing. 7 For many of those who had unclean spirits — crying with a loud voice, the spirits were coming out — and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. [c] 8 And there was much joy in that city.

9 Now a man named Simon had been in the city before this, practicing magic and astounding the nation of Samaria, saying that he himself was someone great. † 10 To him they all paid attention, from small to great, saying, “This man is the Power of God that is called Great.” [d] 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic arts. 12 But when they trusted Philip as he brought the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were immersed, both men and women. [e] 13 And Simon himself also trusted, and having been immersed he devoted himself to Philip; and watching signs and great works of power taking place, he was astounded.

14 And when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for it had not yet fallen on any of them — they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he brought them money, [f] 19 saying, “Give me this authority too, so that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver go to destruction with you, because you supposed the gift of God could be got with money. [g] 21 You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not straight before God. 22 So have a change of mind from this evil of yours, and beg the Lord that, if it is possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you; 23 for I see you are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of wrongdoing.” [h] 24 And Simon answered and said, “You beg the Lord for me, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they turned back to Jerusalem, bringing good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And a messenger of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Get up and go south, to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road. [i] 27 And he got up and went. And look — an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, a man of power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury, and who had come to Jerusalem to bow down, [j] † 28 was returning and sitting in his chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join yourself to this chariot.”

30 And Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you really know what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How could I, unless someone guides me?” And he urged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture he was reading was this:

34 And the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this? About himself, or about someone else?” 35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture he brought him the good news of Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch says, “Look, water! What keeps me from being immersed?” [l] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any more; for he went on his road rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through he brought the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.