Acts 8 in the early church

Acts 8:1

And 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.

Acts 8:2

God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

Acts 8:3

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 8:5

Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

Acts 8:7

With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

Acts 8:9

Prior 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,

Acts 8:10

and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.”

Acts 8:12

But 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.

Acts 8:13

Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.

Acts 8:14

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

Acts 8:17

Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.

Acts 8:19

“Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:20

But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Acts 8:21

You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Acts 8:22

Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.

Acts 8:23

For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

Acts 8:24

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Acts 8:26

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

Acts 8:27

So 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,

Acts 8:28

and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.

Acts 8:29

The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”

Acts 8:30

So Philip ran up and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

Acts 8:31

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

Acts 8:32

The 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.

Acts 8:34

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

Acts 8:35

Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 8:36

As 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?”

Acts 8:37

Acts 8:38

And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8:39

When 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.