Saul Persecutes the Church

1And Saul (asked for) was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death.

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church {ekklēsian} in Jerusalem (city of peace), and all except the apostles (sent ones) were scattered throughout Judea (land of praise) and Samaria. 2God-fearing men buried Stephen (that which surrounds) and mourned deeply over him. 3But Saul (asked for) began to destroy the church {ekklēsian}. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip (friend of horses) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ (the Anointed One) to them. 6The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. 7With loud shrieks, unclean (impure) spirits {pneumata} came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Sorcerer
(Deuteronomy 18:9–14)

9Prior to that time, a man named Simon (hearing) had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people {ethnos} of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, 10and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power {dynamis} called the Great Power.” 11They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

12But when they believed (had faith) Philip (friend of horses) as he preached the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of God {Theou} and the name of Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One), they were baptized (submerged), both men and women. 13Even Simon (hearing) himself believed (had faith) and was baptized (submerged). He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles {dynameis} he observed.

14When the apostles (sent ones) in Jerusalem (city of peace) heard that Samaria had received the word of God {Theou}, they sent Peter (rock) and John (YHWH is gracious) to them. 15On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma}. 16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord {kyriou} Jesus (YHWH saves). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma}.

18When Simon (hearing) saw that the Spirit {Pneuma} was given through the laying on of the apostles’ (sent ones) hands, he offered them money. 19“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma}.”

20But Peter (rock) replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God {Theou} with money! 21You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God {Theou}. 22Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord {Kyriou}. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. 23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

24Then Simon (hearing) answered, “Pray to the Lord {Kyrion} for me, so that nothing you⁺ have said may happen to me.”

25And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord {Kyriou}, they returned to Jerusalem (city of peace), preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.

Philip and the Ethiopian
(Isaiah 53:1–8)

26Now an angel (messenger) of the Lord {Kyriou} said to Philip (friend of horses), “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem (city of peace) to Gaza (strong).” 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace {Kandakē},a queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem (city of peace) to worship, 28and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah (YHWH saves) the prophet.

29The Spirit {Pneuma} said to Philip (friend of horses), “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”

30So Philip (friend of horses) ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah (YHWH saves) the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip (friend of horses) to come up and sit with him.

32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,

so He did not open His mouth.

33In His humiliation He was deprived of justice.

Who can recount His descendants?

For His life was removed from the earth <Isa 53:7–8>.”b

34“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

35Then Philip (friend of horses) began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus (YHWH saves).

36As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look (Behold), here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?”[37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized.” The eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]c 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip (friend of horses) and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized (submerged) him.

39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit {Pneuma} of the Lord {Kyriou} carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip (friend of horses) appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.