The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson for September IL. 1S02-Acts 8;
26-4O-Philip and the Ethiopian.


TINE. The early summer of A. d. 81 Soon
after the last lesson
CIRCUMSTANCES The Gospel had been
planted In Samaria by the evangelist Philip
The apostles had come from Jerusalem ana In.
dorsed his work. The Holy Spirit had conferred
HIS special gifts. This work could now go On
through the Samaritans themselves The
Lord had other work for Philip From preach
ing 10 crowds. he uiust go u long distance TO
find single hcarer The Gospel field must
again be enlarged extending not only from
Jews to Samartans but on TO foreigners and
the heather populations. from ASIA TO Africa
And we turn from the false disciple Simon, TO
trace the steps by which a sincere inquirer
found his way to the Lord Jesus.
LESSON NOTES.
&c. "And the angel of the Lord" A
real messenger bringing real message
from God. "Spake unto Phillip" The
deacon, or evangelist, not the apostle.
Arise, and go toward the SOUTH"
which would lead him directly across
all the roads that led from Jerusalem
to GAIA. That goeth down" For
Jerusalem was on high land, and any
road toward the coast must be de-
scending one. From Jerusalem unto
GAIA" GAIA was the chief of the five
cities of the Philistines, fifty miles
southwest of Jerusalem, three miles
from the Mediterranean. and ten miles
from Askalon.
%. And he arose and went" Appar-
emily not knowing the purpose for
which he was sent. "And behold man
of Ethiopia" In its largest sense the
term Ethiopia was applied to all the AT
rican lands south of Egypt, more defin-
itely, it included the northern Nubia,
Senaar, Kordofan, and parts of Abys-
sinia. Its inhabitants were black in
color and large in stature. Their land
appears to have been one of wealth, and
to have maintained some commercial
relations with Palestine. "A eunuch Of
great authority" The word, although
meaning chamberlain or n serv-
ant of the bed-chamber, denoted. as
now, the condition of a man who was
chosen to watch over the women's
apartment in great houses. Such per-
sons, deprived of family ambition, were
thought more trustworthy than 9th
ers, and often held high offices. Had
come to Jerusalem for to worship" He
had learned about the true God from
the Jews of his own country, and about
His tempt and worship at the religious
capital.
90. WAS returning" From his ex-
petition to Jerusalem. He would nat
urally pass through GAIA on his way
to Egypt and his Ethiopian home be.
yond.
20. "Then the Spirit said unto Phil
ip," i. G., by prompting from within
go near, and join myself to this char
lot" No doubt this royal tire asurer
had numerous retinue, and a single
traveller on desert road would be do
ing what was natural in attaching
himself to train of people who were
journeying in the same direction. Phil
ip would therefore be able to approach
and hear what was read without bein
deemed an intruder.
30. And Philip ran thither:' Swift
ly, eagerly, obeying the Divine monitor
And said "Understandest thou what
thou readest?' The very question
would lead the Ethiopian to feel that
Philip was one that could help him; and
hence the invitation to comeup into the
chariot was natural.
81. How can |, except some man
should guide me?' The passage in Isaiah
was very difficult one for jew to
understand. 1t seemed almost impossi-
bic to put together the idea of Christ rs
sufferer. as despised and slain, and
the promise that He should be glorious
king, triumphing over the world.
33. "In His humiliation His judgment
was taken away" His judgment-the
Judgment Cjustice) due to Him. His
rights of justice were withheld by His
enemies. His life is taken from the
EARTH" The Hebrew admits of no Other
meaning than that the sufferer was hur
ried to viole mt death.
"a. ''Of whom spealSeth the prophet
this?" The earlier Jewish authorities
all understood Chap. So of Isaiah tc
refer to the coming Messiah.
So. Then Philip began at the
Same Scriptures" Which was fulfilled
in Jesus. and has been fulfilled in nc
other. And preached unto him Jesus
Literally, announced to him the glat
tidings, Jesus
SO. unto Il certain water" The site
is absolutely unknown, and the at
tempts to identify it with any existing
spring or wady are almost necessarily
fruitless, since not even the road, much
less the location on it, is known with
any degree of certainty. what dotl
hinder me to be baptized?" Faith with
in and water without were ready.
So. "He commanded the Chariot" II,
ordered the chariot-driver to stop, anC
of course the whole retinue would Sc,
what took place, and they may certainl.
be regarded as the nucleus of a congre
cation to be established in Ethiopia
"He baptized him." Without waitin,
further to instruct him, or delaying TO
public ceremonial. Baptism was tn
Divine mode of confessing Christ.
80. THE Spirit of the Lord caugh
away Philip" The words clearly re
late supernatural disappearance o
Philip. But in what way is not stated
THAT the eunuch saw him no more.
The eunuch, meanwhile, was absorbed
in the strange events through which h
had passed, and lost sight of Philip
Instead of thinking him lost, he con
cluded, we may conceive, that he disap
peared by Divine call.
40. but Philip was found at Azotus:
the ancient Ashdod, ten miles north G
GAIA. Here he first came to himsel
onh raaliZpt, where he WAS