Acts 8 starts by telling us that Saul was present at Stephen's death and approved it. Then a great persecution of the church broke out and Saul went from house to house putting the believers in prison. Those that were scattered by the persecution preached the word, and Philip was greatly used of God in Samaria proclaiming Christ with signs following. One man who was converted in Samaria was Simon the Sorcerer who had had a large following thanks to his magic. When the apostles realized the move of God in Samaria they sent Peter and John who prayed on those baptized so that they received the Holy Spirit. Simon then tried to buy the gift of imparting the Holy Spirit which Peter rebuked telling him to repent! Then an angel told Philip to go south to the desert road where he met an Ethiopian eunuch who had been worshipping in Jerusalem. Philip ran alongside his chariot and asked him if he understood what he was reading from the prophet Isaiah chapter 53 and he said no and welcomed Philip in the chariot so that he was able to share with him about Jesus. Soon they came to water so Philip baptized the eunuch who went on his way rejoicing after Philip had gone.
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