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 ... ... - Jude -a and Samaria.
- God-fearing men buried - Stephen and vvv vvv mourned deeply over him.
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house ... ... , - he dragged off men and women (and) put (them) in prison.
- - Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
- Philip went down to - (a) city - (in) Samaria (and) proclaimed the Christ to them.
- The crowds vvv gave their undivided attention - vvv ... vvv vvv to Philip’s message ... ... and to the signs they saw - him perform.
- vvv vvv With loud shrieks , unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed , and many (of the) paralyzed and lame were healed.
So there was great joy in that - city.
- 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 ,
(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). ”
- They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with (his) sorcery.
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.
- Even - Simon himself believed and was baptized. vvv He followed - Philip {closely} and was astounded (by the) great signs and miracles he observed ....
(When) the apostles in Jerusalem heard that - Samaria had received the word - of God , they sent Peter - and John - to them.
vvv On their arrival , they prayed for them to receive (the) Holy Spirit.
For (the Holy Spirit) had not yet fallen upon any of them ; - they had simply been ... baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then (Peter - and John -) laid (their) hands on them , and they received (the) Holy Spirit.
(When) - Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the - apostles’ hands , he offered them money.
“ Give {me} this - power as well , ” he said , “ so that everyone on whom ... I lay (my) hands may receive (the) Holy Spirit. ”
But Peter - replied - - , “ {May} your - silver perish ... ... with you , because you thought you could buy the gift - of God with money !
You have no part (or) share in - (our) ministry , because your - heart is not right before - God.
Repent , therefore , of - - your wickedness , and pray to the Lord. vvv Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.
For I see that you are - poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity. ”
Then - Simon answered ... , “ - Pray to the Lord for me , so that nothing - you have said may happen to me. ”
And after - (Peter - and John -) had testified and spoken the word of the Lord , they returned to Jerusalem , - preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.
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. ”
(So) he started out , and on his way (he met) vvv 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 ,
and on his return was - sitting in his - chariot - reading Isaiah - the prophet.
- The Spirit said - to Philip , “ Go over to (that) - chariot and stay by (it). ”
(So) - Philip ran up (and) heard (the man) reading Isaiah - the prophet. - - “ Do you understand what you are reading ? ” - (Philip) asked.
“ How - vvv can I , ” - - he said , “ unless ... someone guides me ? ” And he invited - Philip to come up (and) sit with him.
- (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 vvv He did not open His - mouth.
In - His humiliation - He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His - descendants ? For His - life was removed from the earth.”
“ Tell me ... , ” - - said - - the eunuch , “ who {is} the prophet talking ... about , - himself or - someone else ? ”
Then - Philip vvv began with this very - Scripture and - - - told him the good news about ... - Jesus.
- 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 ?”
And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both - - Philip and the eunuch went down into the water , and (Philip) baptized him.
- When they came up out of the water , (the) Spirit of (the) Lord carried - Philip {away} , and the eunuch saw him vvv no more , (but) went on his - way rejoicing.
But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through (that region) , preaching the gospel in all the towns until he - came to Caesarea.