---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Acts from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 8
verse_count: 40
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Acts, chap. 8, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Acts 8

*Persecution in Jerusalem Philip preaches in Samaria By prayer and imposition of hands the Holy Ghost is given Simon the, sorcerer— — Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch.*

**1** And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
**2** And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
**3** As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
**4** Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.
**5** Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
**6** And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
**7** 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.
**8** And there was great joy in that city.
**9** But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one;
**10** To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
**11** And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
**12** But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
**13** Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
**14** Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John;
**15** Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost;
**16** (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
**17** Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
**18** And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
**19** Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
**20** But Peter said unto him, Thj money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
**21** Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
**22** Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
**23** For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
**24** Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
**25** And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
**26** And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
**27** And he arose and went; and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
**28** Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
**29** Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
**30** And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
**31** And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
**32** The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like' a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth;
**33** In his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
**34** And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
**35** Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
**36** And 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?
**37** And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Sou of God.
**38** 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.
**39** And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
**40** But Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.