§17. THE PLANTING OF THE CHURCH IN THE CITY OF

SAMARIA.

ACTS 8:4-25.

4 They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word. 5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. 6 And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. 71For from many of those which had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was much joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the 2 people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. II And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

14 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 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this 5 matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. 24 And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

1 Or, For many of those which had unclean spirits that cried with a loud voice came forth Gr. nation. 3 Gr. powers. 4 Some ancient authorities omit Holy. 5 Gr. word. 6 Or, wilt become gall (or, a gall root) of bitterness and a bond of iniquity

§18. PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN TREASURER.

ACTS 8:26-40.

26 But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go 1toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem for to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,

So he openeth not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgement was taken away:

His generation who shall declare?

For his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? 35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?2 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

1 Or, at noon 2 Some ancient authorities insert, wholly or in part, ver. 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

CHAPTER VI.

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN LIFE OF SAUL.

§19. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL.

ACTS 9:1-19a.

[ACTS 22:5-16.]

I But Saul, yet 5 As also the high priest breathing threatening doth bear me witness, and slaughter against and all the estate of the disciples of the the elders: from whom Lord, went unto the also I received letters high priest, 2 and asked unto the brethren, and of him letters to Da- journeyed to Damasmascus unto the syna- cus, to bring them also gogues, that if he found which were there unto any that were of the Jerusalem in bonds, for Way, whether men or to be punished. 6 And women, he might bring it came to pass, that, them bound to Jeru- as I made my journey, salem. 3 And as he and drew nigh unto journeyed, it came to Damascus, about noon, pass that he drew nigh suddenly there shone unto Damascus: and from heaven a great suddenly there shone light round about me. round about him a light 7 And I fell unto the out of heaven: 4 and ground, and heard a he fell upon the earth, voice saying unto me, and heard a voice say- Saul, Saul, why pering unto him, Saul, secutest thou me?

1 Or, on which errand

[ACTS 26: 12-18.]

12 1 Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.

a 1 Cor. 9: 1. Am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? a I Cor. 15:8. And last of all, as unto one born out of due time, he appeared to me also.

a Gal. 1: 15-17. But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; 17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.

a Phil. 3:7-11. Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Io that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; II if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

Saul, why persecutest 8 And I answered,
thou me? 5 And he Who art thou, Lord?
said, Who art thou, And he said unto me,
Lord? And he said, I am Jesus of Nazareth,
I am Jesus whom thou whom thou persecutest.
persecutest: 6 but rise, 9 And they that were
and enter into the city, with me beheld indeed
and it shall be told thee the light, but they heard
what thou must do. not the voice of him
7 And the men that that spake to me.
journeyed with him 10 And I said, What
stood speechless, hear-shall I do, Lord? And
ing the voice, but the Lord said unto me,
beholding no man. Arise, and go into Da-
8 And Saul arose from
the earth; and when
his eyes were opened,
he saw nothing; and
they led him by the
hand, and brought him
into Damascus. 9 And
he was three days with-
out sight, and did
neither eat nor drink.

IO Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. II And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is

mascus; and there it
shall be told thee of
all things which are
appointed for thee to
do.

II And when I
could not see for the
glory of that light,
being led by the hand
of them that were with
me, I came into Da-

mascus.

[ACTS 26.]

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 17 delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto

4

[Paragraph continued below.] whom I send thee,

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, 13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.

18 to open their eyes, 5 that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

1Or, sound 2Or, received my sight and looked upon him ancient authorities read which thou hast seen. 5 Or, to turn them

3 Gr. goads. 4 Many