Acts 8:1-40 AMP

[1] Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death. And on that day a great and relentless persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. [2] Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned greatly over him [expressing a personal sense of loss]. [3] But Saul began ravaging the church [and assaulting believers]; entering house after house and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison. [4] Now those [believers] who had been scattered went from place to place preaching the word [the good news of salvation through Christ]. [5] Philip [the evangelist] went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) to them. [6] The crowds gathered and were paying close attention to everything Philip said, as they heard [the message] and saw the [miraculous] signs which he was doing [validating his message]. [7] For unclean spirits (demons), shouting loudly, were coming out of many who were possessed; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. [8] So there was great rejoicing in that city. [9] Now there was a man named Simon, who previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. [10] They all paid [a great deal of] attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God!” [11] They were paying attention to him because for a long time he had mystified and dazzled them with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, both men and women. [13] Even Simon believed [Philip’s message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched the attesting signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. [14] When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; [16] for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession]. [17] Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, “Give me this authority and power too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” [20] But Peter said to him, “May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money! [21] You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart (motive, purpose) is not right before God. [22] So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are provoked by bitterness and bound by sin.” [24] But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.” [25] So, when Peter and John had given their testimony and preached the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about salvation] in many Samaritan villages [along the way]. [26] But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the road that runs from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” (This is a desert road). [27] So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch [a man of great authority], a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, [28] and he was returning, and sitting in his chariot he was reading [the scroll of] the prophet Isaiah. [29] Then the [Holy] Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” [30] Philip ran up and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “Well, how could I [understand] unless someone guides me [correctly]?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now this was the passage of Scripture which he was reading: “LIKE A SHEEP HE WAS LED TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH. [33] IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY [justice was denied Him]. WHO WILL DESCRIBE HIS GENERATION? FOR HIS LIFE IS TAKEN FROM THE EARTH.” [34] The eunuch replied to Philip, “Please tell me, about whom does the prophet say this? About himself or about someone else?” [35] Then Philip spoke and beginning with this Scripture he preached Jesus to him [explaining that He is the promised Messiah and the source of salvation]. [36] As they continued along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch exclaimed, “Look! Water! What forbids me from being baptized?” [37] [Philip said to him, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] [38] And he ordered that the chariot be stopped; and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord [suddenly] took Philip [and carried him] away [to a different place]; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but he went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the good news [of salvation] to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea [Maritima].