Saul agreed with Stephen's death. That day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem. The believers were scattered through Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Saul dragged men and women off to prison. But those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Philip proclaimed the Christ in Samaria. Many were healed, and there was great joy. Simon, who had amazed people with sorcery, believed and was baptized. When Peter and John laid hands on the believers and they received the Holy Spirit, Simon offered money for this power. Peter said, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!"

An angel sent Philip south toward Gaza. An official from Ethiopia, who served Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, was reading Isaiah in his chariot. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The man said he needed someone to explain it.

He was reading about one led as a sheep to the slaughter. He asked whom the prophet meant. Beginning from this Scripture, Philip preached to him about Jesus. At some water the man was baptized, and he went on his way rejoicing.

Saul was consenting to Stephen's death. Devout men buried Stephen and lamented over him, but a great persecution arose and scattered the church through Judea and Samaria. Saul ravaged the assembly, entering house after house. Yet the scattering became a sending: those who were scattered went around preaching the word (Acts 8:4).

In Samaria, Philip proclaimed the Christ, and the crowds listened with one accord. Simon, long admired as "that great power of God," believed and was baptized. When the apostles sent Peter and John, who prayed and laid hands on the Samaritans so they received the Holy Spirit, Simon tried to buy that authority. Peter answered that his heart was not right before God and told him to repent and pray.

Then an angel of the Lord directed Philip to the desert road to Gaza. There a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, was returning from worship in Jerusalem, reading Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip to join the chariot. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" and the man begged him to sit with him.

The passage described one led as a sheep to the slaughter, silent like a lamb before its shearer. The eunuch asked whether the prophet spoke of himself or someone else. Beginning from this Scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him. At some water the eunuch asked what kept him from being baptized; Philip baptized him, the Spirit caught Philip away, and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39).