The deacon Philip, having left Jerusalem in consequence of the persecution after the martyrdom of Stephen, "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city."

There was, however, in Samaria at that time, a man named Simon Magus, who pretended himself to be the expected Messiah. The Scripture says of him, that he used sorcery and bewitched the people. We know that before the coming of the Lord Jesus, evil spirits had a power which He took from them, of getting possession of the bodies of men: and as has been said before, it seems that bad men had sometimes dealings with evil spirits, by whose help they did things which otherwise they could not have done. But any one who did seek to have dealings with evil spirits, was guilty of a very great sin: such unlawful deeds were strictly forbidden by the Law; those who were guilty of them, were called magicians, sorcerers, wizards, witches, &c., and were, by the command of God, to be put to death. Simon had for some time deceived the people of Samaria by his arts; but when Philip preached to them of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, they believed his words, and "were baptized, both men and women." Simon himself also believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah, and he likewise was baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, though he was still far from understanding the true nature of the religion taught by Philip. "When he was baptized, he continued with Philip," and "wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." The account of all that had been done by Philip at Samaria, soon reached Jerusalem; and the Apostles sent Peter and John to finish the work so well begun, for although Philip had taught and baptized the people, he had no power like the Apostles, to bestow the gift of the Holy Spirit.

When Peter and John were come down, they prayed for the converts "that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."

Simon now showed how little he understood of the things of God; for when he "saw that through laying on of the Apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."

Peter reproved Simon very severely for having thought it possible that the gifts of God could be bought with money; and told him, that although he had received the outward form of Baptism, it was quite plain that he was no true believer in Jesus Christ, but was still in bondage to Satan. He then called upon him to repent truly of all his wickedness, and especially of the fearful sin of which he was now guilty, and pray to God, Who could alone forgive the thought of his heart.

Peter's words alarmed Simon, who now besought Peter's help, "and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

When Peter and John had testified to the truth of all that Philip had taught, they returned to Jerusalem; and as they went, they "preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans."

After these things had passed, Philip was directed by God to go into a desert part of JudÆa, lying between Joppa and Gaza, to meet an officer belonging to Candace, the queen of a country called Ethiopia. This man, who held the important office of treasurer, had become a Jew, and was a sincere worshipper of God as far as his knowledge went. He had taken a long journey in order to worship God in the temple, after the manner of the Jews: and now returning homewards, he was sitting in his chariot studying the Scriptures. "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." Philip obeyed, and heard him read that part of the prophecy of Isaiah which saith, "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth." Philip asked him, "Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?"

Being earnest in his desire to learn, this officer was rejoiced to meet with some one who seemed likely to give him the guidance he needed; and so "he desired," or entreated "Philip, that he would come up and sit with him" in his chariot, and explain the passage of Scripture which he had just read.

"And the eunuch (or officer) answered Philip, and said, I pray thee of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself or of some other man? Then Philip," guided by the Holy Spirit, "opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus": showing him that these words were spoken of the promised Messiah; and that Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Jews had so lately crucified, was indeed the Messiah spoken of by the Prophets: and he doubtless spake of Baptism, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the appointed means of admission into the Church of Christ: for "as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." This was enough. "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Philip had now done the work which he had been sent to do. "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip," who was thus conveyed in some miraculous way to a place called Azotus, "so that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing," that he had been instructed in the Gospel, and admitted into the Church of Christ by Baptism. This Ethiopian officer was a true convert, and no doubt his future life proved him to be so.

Philip mean time found himself in a miraculous manner at Azotus, and from thence journeyed northward, and "preached in all the cities, till he came to CÆsarea," where his home was.

The next event recorded in the Book of Acts, is the wonderful conversion of Saul, who was suddenly, by the mercy of the Lord, changed from being an enemy to all the followers of Jesus, into a true believer, and an active and zealous preacher of the truth as it is in Jesus.

We have already heard of Saul as a persecutor, making havoc of the Church at Jerusalem, after the death of Stephen. We now learn from the Book of Acts, that, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," he "went unto the High Priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues," giving him authority "that if he found any of this way," any believers in Jesus, "whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." The High Priest was no doubt too glad to give this power to one who would execute it zealously; and Saul set out on his journey, which turned out very differently from what he expected and intended.

For when "he came near Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Saul's answer to this question, shows that he was even now convinced that the voice was none other than the voice of God; for he said, "Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." This seems to have been a Jewish expression, meaning that it was useless for any persons to resist an authority and power, which they could have no hope of overcoming, for that they would only hurt and injure themselves; just as any person kicking against thorns, would tear and injure himself, instead of harming the thorns. Saul's heart was indeed touched and changed by the Holy Spirit, and willing to obey the commands of Him whose followers he had so cruelly persecuted; "he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." "And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man": the excessive brightness of the vision he had seen, had deprived him of his sight, and he arose from the earth blind and helpless. "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." They had heard and seen something of what Saul had done; enough to make them unable to speak from astonishment and awe: they had heard a voice, but did not understand the words spoken, and seeing no man, they were perplexed as to whence the voice came. Now, however, seeing their master was blind, "they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." We can well imagine how Saul passed these three days in meditation and earnest prayer to the Lord, who had so mercifully called him to be a true believer. His continued blindness did not shake his faith, or lessen his love; on the contrary, they increased more and more; and soon he had his reward, for the Lord showed him in a vision that his sight should be restored to him. There was residing in Damascus at this time a certain disciple, one of the believers in Jesus, "named Ananias: and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord,"—which meant, Here I am, ready to obey Thee, and do whatever Thou shalt bid me do. "And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." This direction rather startled Ananias, who well knew Saul of Tarsus to be the bitter enemy of Jesus Christ, and of all who believed in Him: therefore, "Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the Chief Priests to bind all that call upon thy name." But the Lord forbade Ananias to make any further objections, since it was his duty simply to believe and obey; and He said unto him, "Go thy way," do as I command thee. At the same time, the Lord in His mercy encouraged Ananias, by making known His purpose concerning Saul; saying, "for he is a chosen vessel unto me (that is, a messenger), to bear my name," or to bear witness of the things belonging unto God, "before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

Ananias hesitated no longer, but went to the house pointed out to him, "and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, receive thy sight: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." After this, Saul at once joined the Church, or company of believers at Damascus, and "straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." All that heard him preach were greatly amazed, knowing with what a very different purpose Saul had come to Damascus. From other parts of Scripture we learn, that Saul did not at this time stay long in Damascus, but went away into Arabia, where he stayed quietly for three years; no doubt studying the Scriptures, and preparing for the great work he was to do amongst the Gentiles. After that, he returned to Damascus, about Anno Domini 38; that is, thirty-eight years from the year in which Jesus Christ was born.