Acts 8

“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at…” Naming Jerusalem and Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.” Naming Stephen keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to…” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” Naming Christ and Philip keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And there was great joy in that city.” The line’s distinctive content terms include city. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bewitched, long, regard. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the…” Naming Philip and Simon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Naming Ghost and Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased…” Naming Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” Naming Repent keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon…” Naming Pray keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from…” Naming Arise and Gaza keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.” Naming Esaias and Was keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Naming Philip keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“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.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include dumb, lamb, mouth. Its relationship to verses 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Naming Jesus and Philip keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no…” Naming Philip keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.” Naming Azotus and Philip keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.