Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/806

 followers of  Christ,  and  threw  them  into  prison. On account  of this  fierce  oppression  the  disciples  were  scattered abroad  through all Judaea  and  Samaria,  preaching  everywhere  the  Gospel  of Jesus  Christ.

Philip 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,  they  sent  Peter  and  John  to confirm  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. Philip went  immediately. While journeying  along  he was  overtaken  on  the  road  by  an  officer  of  Candace,  queen  of Ethiopia,  who  was  returning  from  Jerusalem,  where  he  had  gone to worship.

As he  rode  along,  sitting  in  his  chariot,  he  read  aloud  the prophecy of  Isaias. Then the  Spirit  said  to  Philip: “Go  near,  and