Book of Common Prayer

Saul persecutes the Christians. The apostles are scattered abroad. Philip comes into Samaria. Simon Magus is baptized; he dissembles. Philip baptizes the chamberlain.

8 Saul had pleasure in Stephen’s death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the congregation that was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

² Then devout men arranged Stephen’s burial, and made great lamentation over him. ³ But Saul made havoc of the congregation, and entered into every house, and drew out both men and women, and thrust them into prison.

⁴ However, those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. ⁵ Then Philip went into a city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. ⁶ And the people gave heed to the things that Philip spoke with one accord, when they heard and saw the miracles that he did. ⁷ For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many who were possessed by them. And many who were paralyzed, and many who limped, were healed. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city.

⁹ And there was a certain man called Simon, who had previously practiced witchcraft and magic in that same city, and had bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he was a man who could do great things. ¹⁰ They regarded him highly, from the least to the greatest, saying, This fellow is the great power of God! ¹¹ And they set much store by him, because for a long time he had taken them in with magic.

¹² But as soon as they believed Philip’s preaching of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed also, and was baptized, and continued with Philip; and he marvelled, seeing the miracles and signs that were shown.

³⁰ I can of my own self do nothing at all. As I hear, I judge. And my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father who has sent me.

³¹ If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. ³² There is another who bears witness of me, and I know that the witness he bears of me is true: ³³ you sent to John, and he bore witness to the truth. ³⁴ But I do not need the testimony of man. Nevertheless, I say these things so that you might be saved. ³⁵ He was a burning and a shining light, and you were willing for a season to enjoy his light.

³⁶ But I have greater witness than the witness of John. For the works which the Father has given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father sent me.

³⁷ And the Father himself who has sent me bears witness of me. You have not heard his voice at any time, nor have you seen his nature, ³⁸ and his words you do not have abiding in you. For whom he has sent, him you do not believe.

³⁹ Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and it is they that testify of me. ⁴⁰ And yet you will not come to me so that you might have life. ⁴¹ I do not need praise from men, ⁴² but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. ⁴³ I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. ⁴⁴ How can you believe, who receive honour from one another, and do not seek the honour that comes from God only?

⁴⁵ Do not think that I will accuse you to my Father. There is one who accuses you: even Moses, in whom you trust. ⁴⁶ For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me. For he wrote of me. ⁴⁷ But seeing you do not believe his writing, how will you believe my words?