Philip converts the Samaritans and baptizes the eunuch.
8:1. And at that time, there was raised a great persecution against the
church which was at Jerusalem. And they were all dispersed through the
countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.
8:2. And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral and made great
mourning over him.
8:3. But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to
house: and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.
8:4. They therefore that were dispersed went about preaching the word
of God.
8:5. And Philip, going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ
unto them.
8:6. And the people with one accord were attentive to those things
which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he
did.
8:7. For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud
voice, went out.
8:8. And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.
8:9. There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a
certain man named Simon who before had been a magician in that city,
seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:
8:10. To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest,
saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.
8:11. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had
bewitched them with his magical practices.
8:12. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of
God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and
women.
8:13. Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered
to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and
exceeding great miracles which were done.
8:14. Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and
John.
8:15. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive
the Holy Ghost.
8:16. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
8:17. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy
Ghost.
They laid their hands upon them, etc. . .The apostles administered the
sacrament of confirmation, by imposition of hands, and prayer; and the
faithful thereby received the Holy Ghost. Not but they had received the
grace of the Holy Ghost at their baptism: yet not that plenitude of
grace and those spiritual gifts which they afterwards received from
bishops in the sacrament of confirmation, which strengthened them to
profess their faith publicly.
8:18. And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the
apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
8:19. Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay
my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:
8:20. Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
8:21. Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not
right in the sight of God.
8:22. Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God,
that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
8:23. For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of
iniquity.
8:24. Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord that none
of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.
8:25. And they indeed, having testified and preached the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem: and preached the gospel to many countries
of the Samaritans.
8:26. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go
towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza:
this is desert.
8:27. And rising up, he went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch,
of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had
charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.
8:28. And he was returning, sitting in his chariot and reading Isaias
the prophet.
8:29. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near and join thyself to this
chariot.
8:30. And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias.
And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?
8:31. Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
8:32. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He
was led as a sheep to the slaughter: and like a lamb without voice
before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.
8:33. In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall
declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?
8:34. And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom
doth the prophet speak this? Of himself, or of some other man?
8:35. Then Philip, opening his mouth and beginning at this scripture,
preached unto him Jesus.
8:36. And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water. And
the eunuch said: See, here is water: What doth hinder me from being
baptized?
8:37. And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou
mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God.
If thou believest with all thy heart. . .The scripture many times
mentions only one disposition, as here belief, when others equally
necessary are not expressed, viz., a sorrow for sins, a firm hope, and
the love of God. Moreover, believing with the whole heart signifies a
belief of every thing necessary for salvation.
8:38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they went down
into the water, both Philip and the eunuch. And he baptized him.
8:39. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord took away Philip: and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on
his way rejoicing.
8:40. But Philip was found in Azotus: and passing through, he preached
the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.