rd

Acts 8

2 Steven is lamented and buried. 3 The rage of the Jews and of Saul against them. 4 The faithful scattered, preach here & there. 9 Samaria is seduced by Simon the sorcerer, but was converted by Philippe, and confirmed by the Apostles 18 The covetousness and hypocrisy of Simon, 26 And conversion of the Eunuch.
1.And Saul consented to his death, and at that time, there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles.
2.Then certain men fearing God, acarried Steven amongs them, to be buried, and made great blamentation for him.
3.But Saul made havoc of the Church, and entered into every house, & drew out both men and women, & put them into prison.
4.Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went to and fro preaching the word.
5.¶ Then came Philippe into the city cof Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6.And the people gave heed unto those things which Philippe spake, with one accord, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7.For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed of them: and many taken with palsies, and that halted, were healed.
8.And there was great joy in that city.
9.And there was before in the city a certain man called Simon, which used witchcraft, and bewitched the people of Samaria, saying, that he him self was some great man.
10.To whom they dgave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great epower of God.
11.And they gave heed unto him, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12.But assoon as they believed Philippe, which preached the things that concerned the kingdom of God, and in the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both men and women.
13.Then Simon him self fbelieved also and was baptised, and continued with Philippe, and wondered, when he saw the signs and great miracles which were done.
14.¶ Now when the Apostles, which were at Jerusalem, heard say, that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
15.Which when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the gholie Ghost.
16.(For as yet, he was come down on none of them, but they were baptised honly in the Name of the Lord Jesus).
17.Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the holie Ghost.
18.And when Simon saw, that through laying on of the Apostles’ hands the holie Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19.Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay the hands, he may receive the holie Ghost.
20.Then said Peter unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money.
21.Thou hast neither part nor ifellowship in this business: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God.
22.kRepent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, that if it be lpossible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23.For I see that thou art min the gall of *bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24.Then answered Simon, & said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken, come upon me.
25.¶ So they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Gospel in many towns of the Samaritans.
26.Then the Angel of the Lord spake unto Philippe, saying, Arise, and go toward the South unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is nwaste.
27.And he arose and went on: and behold, a certain oEunuch of Ethiopia Candace’s the Queen of the Ethiopians chief Governor, who had the rule of all her treasure, and came to Jerusalem to worship:
28.And as he returned sitting in his chariot, he read Esaias the Prophet.
29.Then the Spirit said unto Philippe, Go near and join thy self to yonder chariot.
30.And Philippe ran thether, and heard him read the Prophet Esaias, and said, But understandest thou what thou readest?
31.And he said, How can I, except I had a guide? And he desired Philippe, that he would come up and sit with him.
32.Now 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.pIn his humility his qjudgement hath been exalted: but who shall declare his rgeneration? for his life is taken from the searth.
34.Then the Eunuch answered Philippe, and said, I pray thee of whom speaketh the Prophet this? of him self, or of some other man?
35.Then Philippe topened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36.And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water, and the Eunuch said, See, here is water: what doeth let me to be baptised?
37.And Philippe said unto him, If thou believest with uall thine heart, thou maist. Then he answered, and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38.Then he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philippe and the Eunuch, and he baptised him.
39.And assoon as they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philippe, that the Eunuch xsaw him no more: so he went on his way rejoicing.
40.But Philippe ^was found at yAzotus, and he walked to and fro preaching in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

Notes

2-a.
From the place where he was stoned.
2-b.
When the Church is deprived of any worthy member, there is just cause of sorrow: and note that here is no mention of any relics or prayers for the dead, or worshipping.
5-c.
The conversion of Samaria was as it were the first fruits of the calling of the Gentiles.
10-d.
This declares how much more we are inclined to follow the illusions of Satan then the truth of God.
10-e.
This is the craft of Satan to cover all his illusions under the Name of God.
13-f.
The majesty of God’s word forced him to confess the truth: but yet was he not regenerate therefore.
15-g.
Meaning the particular gifts of the holie Spirit.
16-h.
They had only received the common grace of adoption and regeneration which are offered to all the faithful in baptism, and as yet had not received the gift to speak in divers languages, & to do miracles.
21-i.
You are not worthy to be of the number of the faithful.
22-k.
That is, turn away from your wickedness.
22-l.
Hereby he would make him to feel his sin and not that he doubted of God’s mercies, if he could repent.
23-*.
Deut. 29.18.
23-m.
Or your heart is full of despiteful malice, and devilish poison of impiety, so that now Satan has you tied as captive in his bands.
26-n.
After that Alexander had destroyed it, it was not much peopled, as it was before, and therefore in respect was as waste.
27-o.
Eunuch signifies him that is gelded: but because in the East parts great affairs were committed to such, it came in use that noble men were called Eunuchs, although they were not gelded: also all manner officers and servants, that were put in credit or necessary affairs, were called by this name, as Isa. 39.7.
32-*.
Isa. 53.7.
33-p.
Albeit Christ was in grave & in death’s bands, feeling also his Father’s anger against sin, yet he brake the bands of death & was exalted, Act 2.24.
33-q.
The punishment which he suffered, was the beginning of his glory.
33-r.
That is, how long his age shall endure: for being risen from death, death shall no more reign, neither shall his kingdom ever have end: or else we may take generation, for his Church which never shall have end: for now they sit in the heavenly places with Christ their head, as Ephes 2.6.
33-s.
And he now reigns in heaven.
35-t.
He declared at length this matter of so great importance.
37-u.
With a pure and perfect heart.
39-x.
This was, to the intent that he might know so much the better that Philip was sent to him by God.
40-^.
Or perceived himself to be.
40-y.
Some think this city was also called Asdod, Jos. 15.47.