Acts 8:4-40 ▼

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

5 Philip (friend of horses) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ (the Anointed One) to them.

6 The crowds all paid close attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.

7 With loud shrieks, unclean (impure) spirits {pneumata} came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 Prior 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,

10 and 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.

11 They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

12 But 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.

13 Even 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.

14 When 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.

15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma}.

16 For 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).

17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma}.

18 When 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}.

20 But Peter (rock) replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God {Theou} with money!

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

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

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

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

25 And 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.

26 Now 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).

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 {Kandakē}, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem (city of peace) to worship,

28 and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah (YHWH saves) the prophet.

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

30 So 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.

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.

33 In 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?

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

36 As 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.”]

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38 And 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.

39 When 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.

40 But Philip (friend of horses) appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.