Berean Study Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. | 1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. |
2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. | 2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. |
3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. | 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. |
4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. | 4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. |
5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. | 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. |
6The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. | 6The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. |
7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. | 7With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. |
8So there was great joy in that city. | 8So there was great joy in that city. |
9Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, | 9Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people 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 called the Great Power.” | 10and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” |
11They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. | 11They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. |
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. | 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. |
13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed. | 13Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed. |
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. | 14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. |
15On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. | 15On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. |
16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. | 16For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. |
17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. | 17Then Peter and John 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. | 18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ 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.” | 19“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” |
20But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! | 20But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! |
21You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. | 21You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. |
22Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. | 22Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. |
23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.” | 23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.” |
24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” | 24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord 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, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages. | 25And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages. |
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” | 26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” |
27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, | 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, |
28and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. | 28and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. |
29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” | 29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” |
30So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. | 30So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah 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 to come up and sit with him. | 31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip 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. | 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.” | 33In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.” |
34“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” | 34“Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” |
35Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. | 35Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. |
36As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” | 36As they traveled along the road and came to some water, the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is there to prevent me from being baptized?” |
38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. | 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. |
39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. | 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. |
40But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea. | 40But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea. |
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