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.