1Now Saul had consented to killing him. And that day a great persecution arose against the church that was in Jerusalem; and all the believers were scattered throughout the countries of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3But Saul was ravaging the church, going from house to house, entering in and dragging out men and women, and delivering them up to prison.

4Therefore, those who were scattered passed through everywhere, preaching the word of the gospel. 5Then Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them; 6And the multitudes listened intently with one accord to the things spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs that he did, 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many of those who had them; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

9But there was a certain man named Simon, who had from earlier times been practicing sorcery in the city and astounding the nation of Samaria, proclaiming himself to be some great one. 10To him they had all given heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." 11Now they were giving heed to him because he had for a long time bewitched them with sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip, who was preaching the gospel--the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ--they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself also believed; and after being baptized, he steadfastly continued with Philip; and as he beheld the signs and great works of power that were being done, he was amazed.

14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; 15Who, after coming down to Samaria, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16For as yet it had not fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money, 19Saying, "Give this authority to me also, so that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." 20But Peter said to him, "May your money be destroyed with you because you thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money. 21You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent, therefore, of this your wickedness, and beseech God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you; 23For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness." 24But Simon answered and said, "You beseech the Lord on my behalf, so that none of those things which you have spoken may come upon me."

25So then, after they had earnestly testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem; and they preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans as they went.

26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south, on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is in the desert." 27And he arose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, one in power under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, had come to worship in Jerusalem, 28And was returning; and he sat in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and join yourself to this chariot." 30And when Philip ran up, he heard him reading the words of the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are now reading?" 31And he said, "But how am I able to understand, without someone to guide me?" And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

32Now the passage of Scripture that he was reading was this, "He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb is dumb before the one who is shearing it, so He did not open His mouth.

33In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away; and who shall declare His genealogy? For His life is taken from the earth."

34And the eunuch answered and said to Philip, "I pray you, about whom does the prophet say this? About himself, or about another?" 35Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning from this scripture, preached to him the gospel of Jesus. 36And as they were going down the road, they came upon a certain pool of water; and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water! What is preventing me from being baptized?" 37And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, it is permitted." Then he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38And he commanded the one driving the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39But when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no longer, but he went his way rejoicing. 40Then Philip was found at Azotus; and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.