Acts 8:1-40 MEV

[1] And Saul was consenting to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. [3] But Saul ravaged the church, entering house by house and dragging out both men and women and committing them to prison. [4] Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. [5] Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. [6] When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miracles which he did, they listened in unity to what he said. [7] For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed. And many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. [8] So there was much joy in that city. [9] Now a man named Simon was previously in the city practicing sorcery and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying he was someone great, [10] to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." [11] They listened to him, because for a long time he had astonished them by his sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. [13] Even Simon himself believed. And when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and was amazed as he watched the miracles and signs which were done. [14] Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. [15] When they came down, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for still He had come on none of them. They were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. [18] When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, [19] saying, "Give me also this power, that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit." [20] Peter said to him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could purchase the gift of God with money! [21] You have neither part nor share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. [22] Therefore repent of your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. [23] For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." [24] Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me that nothing you have spoken may come upon me." [25] When they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. [26] Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise up and go toward the south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. [27] So he rose up and went. And there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in command of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship. [28] He was returning, sitting in his chariot and reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. [29] The Spirit said to Philip, "Go to this chariot and stay with it." [30] Then Philip ran to him, and heard him read the book of Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" [31] He said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: "He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. [33] In His humiliation justice was denied Him; who will speak of His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." [34] The eunuch said to Philip, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet speak, of himself or of someone else?" [35] Then Philip spoke, beginning with the same Scripture, and preached Jesus to him. [36] As they went on their way, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" [37] Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." He answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." [38] And he commanded the chariot to halt. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. [39] When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. And the eunuch saw him no more, and he went his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached the gospel in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.