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Chapter 8
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1
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And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that
time there was a great persecution against the church
which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad
throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except
the apostles. |
2
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And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made
great lamentation over him. |
3
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As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering
into every house, and haling men and women committed
them to prison. |
4
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Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every
where preaching the word. |
5
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Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto them. |
6
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And the people with one accord gave heed unto those
things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did. |
7
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For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out
of many that were possessed with them: and many taken
with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. |
8
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And there was great joy in that city. |
9
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But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime
in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people
of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: |
10
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To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,
saying, This man is the great power of God. |
11
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And to him they had regard, because that of long time
he had bewitched them with sorceries. |
12
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But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. |
13
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Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the
miracles and signs which were done. |
14
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Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard
that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent
unto them Peter and John: |
15
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Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that
they might receive the Holy Ghost: |
16
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(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) |
17
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Then laid they their hands on them, and they received
the Holy Ghost. |
18
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And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles'
hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, |
19
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Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever
I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. |
20
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But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee,
because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money. |
21
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Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for
thy heart is not right in the sight of God. |
22
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Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God,
if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven
thee. |
23
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For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness,
and in the bond of iniquity. |
24
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Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD
for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken
come upon me. |
25
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And they, when they had testified and preached the
word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached
the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. |
26
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And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying,
Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth
down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. |
27
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And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia,
an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the
Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and
had come to Jerusalem for to worship, |
28
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Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias
the prophet. |
29
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Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot. |
30
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And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest? |
31
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And he said, How can I, except some man should guide
me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit
with him. |
32
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The place of the scripture which he read was this,
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb
dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: |
33
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In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and
who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken
from the earth. |
34
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And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee,
of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of
some other man? |
35
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Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same
scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. |
36
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And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain
water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what
doth hinder me to be baptized? |
37
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And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. |
38
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And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch;
and he baptized him. |
39
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And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him
no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. |
40
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But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through
he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. |
