followers of Christ, and threw them into prison. On account of this fierce oppression the disciples were scattered [1] abroad through all Judaea and Samaria, preaching everywhere the Gospel[2] of Jesus Christ.
Philip[3] the deacon went to Samaria, where he cured all manner of diseases. The inhabitants of that city received the Gospel with joy, believed and were baptized.
When the apostles heard this[4], they sent Peter and John to confirm[5] the newly-baptized. The two apostles went to Samaria and prayed for the new Christians. Then they imposed hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. After Peter and John had preached the Gospel in Samaria and the country round about it, they returned to Jerusalem.
But an angel appeared to Philip, saying: “Arise and go towards the south to the way that goeth from Jerusalem down to Gaza[6]. Philip went immediately[7]. While journeying along he was overtaken on the road by an officer of Candace, queen of Ethiopia[8], who was returning from Jerusalem, where he had gone to worship[9].
As he rode along, sitting in his chariot, he read aloud the prophecy of Isaias. Then the Spirit said to Philip: “Go near, and
- ↑ Scattered. They did not hide, but scattered themselves about.
- ↑ The Gospel. Or the doctrine of Jesus, which was the Word of God. The apostles remained in Jerusalem, to tend, from that centre, the increasing flock of Christ.
- ↑ Philip. It seemed as if the hatred of the persecutors was especially directed against the brother deacons of St. Stephen. They, therefore, had to leave Jerusalem. Philip went to Samaria. His wonderful work among the Samaritans is described in the Acts of the Apostles.
- ↑ Heard this. That the Samaritans had accepted the faith.
- ↑ To confirm. By the baptism bestowed on them by Philip they had received sanctifying grace, but they had not yet received the Holy Ghost with the fulness of His gifts.
- ↑ Gaza is situated to the south of Palestine (see Map), on the Mediterranean. It used to be the chief city of the Philistines (see Old Test. XLVI).
- ↑ Immediately. Although he was not told what he was to do when he got there. While he was travelling along, full of thought, he was overtaken by the chariot.
- ↑ Ethiopia. Ethiopia was a kingdom in Africa to the south of Egypt, now called Nubia and Abyssinia. The Ethiopians are descended from Cham, and are negroes.
- ↑ To "worship. He believed therefore in the One True God. He was a Jew or a proselyte of the Jews, and took part in their worship.
