45-01

followers of Jesus

This title refers to people who believe in Jesus Christ.

45-02

Moses

God used Moses to free the Israelites from being slaves in Egypt (See: 12:12). God then gave his laws and commandments to Moses to give to the Israelites (See: 13:07).

45-04

covered their ears

They did this to show that they did not want to hear what Stephen said.

They dragged Stephen out of the city

They did this as a sign that they did not think Stephen was worthy to live among them.

threw stones at him in order to kill him

This was the method that the Jews used to kill people who they believed had offended God.

45-05

Jesus, receive my spirit

Stephen prayed to Jesus, believing that when he died, his spirit would go to heaven, where Jesus is.

do not hold this sin against them

Stephen asked God to forgive the Jews for killing him.

45-06

many people in Jerusalem started persecuting the followers of Jesus

The Jews were not satisfied to kill only Stephen. They also began to attack all of the other followers of Jesus who believed in him the same way Stephen did.

But in spite of this

The Jewish leaders thought they could stop the spread of Jesus’ teaching by persecuting his followers. Instead, this caused them to scatter and spread the message even more widely.

45-07

Samaria

This region was located on the north side of Judea. The Jews hated the Samaritans, and rarely went there.

chariot

A chariot was a type of cart with two wheels that was pulled by horses. A chariot had space for a few people to ride in it. It was used by soldiers and important officials.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a country in Eastern Africa.

45-08

the Ethiopian

This refers to a person from the country of Ethiopia.

the prophet Isaiah

Isaiah lived many hundreds of years before Jesus.

as a lamb is silent

Lambs are so afraid that they are often silent when someone kills them.

45-09

Was Isaiah writing about himself or someone else?

The Ethiopian was not able to understand the prophesy of Isaiah. He needed Philip to help him know whom Isaiah was writing about. This is why the Holy Spirit sent Philip to the Ethiopian.

45-11

some water

This refers to a larger body of water such as a pond, lake, or stream.

May I be baptized?

Perhaps Philip told the Ethiopian that the disciples of Jesus were baptized, or perhaps when the Ethiopian was in Jerusalem, he heard that John the Baptist and Jesus baptized their disciples. He now decided that he wanted Philip to baptize him.

45-12

carried Philip away

The Holy Spirit suddenly took Philip to a different place in a miraculous way.