Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Here is the rewritten chapter:

Saul was a willing participant in Stephen's death, and as a result, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. The members of the church were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria except for the apostles.

Devout men took care of Stephen's burial, mourning his passing. Meanwhile, Saul wreaked havoc on the church, entering every house and dragging people off to prison—men and women alike.

The scattered believers continued to spread the word as they traveled. Philip went down to Samaria, where he preached about Christ to the people.

They welcomed Philip's message with one accord, mesmerized by the miracles he performed. Many who had been possessed by unclean spirits cried out in loud voices as they were freed, and many crippled or lame people were healed. As a result, there was great joy in that city.

However, not everyone was pleased with Philip's success. A man named Simon, who had previously used sorcery to deceive the people of Samaria, claiming to be some kind of powerful figure, gained their attention from the least to the greatest.

The people believed that Simon was the great power of God, and they listened to him intently. For a long time, he had been deceiving them with his magic tricks, and now they regarded him as someone special.

But when Philip preached about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, many people were baptized—both men and women. Even Simon believed and was baptized, continuing with Philip to marvel at the miracles and signs that were being done.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Upon arriving, they prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit.

At this point, no one in Samaria had yet received the Holy Spirit, although they had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Simon saw that through the apostles' laying on of hands, people were receiving the Holy Spirit, and he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power as well, so that whenever I lay my hands on someone, they will receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said to him, "Your money is worthless; you think God's gift can be bought with it. You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God."

Peter warned Simon, "Repent of this wickedness and pray to God if perhaps He will forgive your sinful thoughts." He continued, "I see that you are controlled by bitter resentment and bound by corruption."

Simon replied, "Pray to the Lord on my behalf so that none of these things you've said come upon me." Peter and John testified about Jesus and preached the word of the Lord, then returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Get up and go south along the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. The desert stretches out before you."

Philip obeyed, and as he walked, he saw a man from Ethiopia, a high-ranking official under Queen Candace, sitting in his chariot. He was returning from worship in Jerusalem and had charge of the queen's entire treasure.

The eunuch was reading from the prophet Isaiah, and the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over there and join him." Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah.

Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you're reading?" The eunuch replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" He invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The scripture they were reading was about Jesus being led like a sheep to slaughter and not opening his mouth in the face of humiliation. In his suffering, His judgment was taken away, and no one would declare His origin since His life had been taken from the earth.

The eunuch asked Philip, "Of whom is this prophet speaking? Himself or someone else?" Philip opened up the scripture for him, explaining that Jesus was the one being described.

As they continued their journey, the eunuch said, "Look! Here's water. What prevents me from being baptized?" Philip replied, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." The eunuch answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Philip told the chariot to stop, and both he and the eunuch went down into the water, where Philip baptized him. After they came up from the water, the Spirit suddenly took Philip away.

Philip was later found in Azotus, continuing to preach in all the cities until he arrived at Caesarea.