The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-31
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
SEPTEMBER 4.
Lesson Text: Philip Preaching at
Samaria," Acts viii, 5-25-Golden
Text: Acts viii. 5-Com-
mentary.

s. Then Philip went down to the city OF
Samarie, and preached Christ unto Them
By comparing verses T. 12, % with this verse
we obtain considerable light as to what was
preached in those days; the Word, the Cos.
pei, Christ, the things concerning the king
dom; and if we compare chapters H., 2S T..
&c. SO. 43; xvii, 1S, 80. we will find that their
preaching included repentance, forgiveness,
peace, resurrection and judgment.
6. "And the people with one accord gave
heed" Just eleven times in this book do we
find the phrase with one accord" G.. II; H., 1,
46; iv, "a; w. l2; viii. 81; viii, 6; XIII, ~: xv.,
25; xviii, Il; xix, 29); and only once else
where in the New Testament is the word
used from. xv., 6, R. W. Seven times in the
seven make q most profitable study. 1t is
the manifest power Of the Holy Spirit.
:. Many taken with palsies and that were
lame were healed" These, in addition to the
unclean spirits which were cast out, are q
sample Of the miracles wrought by God
through Philip. which constr aimed the peo-
pie to give heeo to his words.
8. "Aud there was great joy in that city"
This is always the result of receiving Jesus.
Those who believe-that is, receive-Him
John j., ~ will be filed with joy and
peace RON. w., 49,. and it is His pleasure
that we should be full of joy John 1v., III
xvi, 2A.
9. "But there was a certain man called
Simon giving out that himself was some
great one" The adversary is always busy,
and you can always recognize him by the
prominence he gives himself. This Is the
spirit Of antichrist. See Dan. viii, II. 25;
II. SO: Luke iv., 81. The spirit OF Jesus is
to abase self and honor God u ohm viii, 2S
80: xvii, A..
TO- "To whom they all gave heed, from
the least to the greatest, saying, This m an Is
tine great power Of God" A great following
is no proof that man Is right nor are few
followers necessarily an evidence that man
Is wrong. Consider Noah. Jeremiah and
the prophets and think Of Jesus Himself
John vi, 68l.
II. "He had bewitched them with sor-
ceries." So it has been, is and will be till
Jesus comes. Jesus speaks Of signs by false
teachers in the last days that shall II pos.
sibIe deceive the elect tMath. xiv, ~. and
we read in Rev. xiii, 8, 8, of muititudes
worshiping the beast. and in II Thess. IL,
7.12 of those who prefer lie to the truth.
12. "But when they believed Philip preach.
ing the things concerning. the kingdom OF
God, and the name Of Jesus Christ, they
were baptized, both men and women" The
reception of the truth is the cure for all de-
celved the truth, or rather they received
Jesus, who is the truth John xiv, 6; John
", IL, 12.) The entrance Of the word giyeta
light (Ps cxix., 1907
lS. "Then Simon himself believed also:
and when be waS baptized he continued with
Philip" The power OF God is able to break
the hardest heart. Some doubt whether
this was real case OF true conversion or
not. We shall meet him again, but now OBJ
h. LaI;a aryaI hon
continued.
Il, Is. "Peter and John prayed for them,
that they might receive the holy Ghost"
Word having reached Jerusalem Of the great
work going on in Samaria, Peter and John
were sent to help, and inasmuch as they had
received the word. they give themselves to
prayer that they may now receive the Holy
Spirit.
16. "For as yet He was fallen upon none
Of them; only they were baptized in the
name OF the Lord Jesus" Having believed
and been baptized they were consequently
saved Mark xvi, 16; John j., II; iii, 10; ",
A.) But we are saved to serve AM live
unto God II Thess. j., 9; II Cor. ", l5, and
for this life aud service we need the special
gift of the Holy Spirit, which so few care
about.
II. .sThen laid they their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Ghost So also
at Ephesus Paul laid his hands on twelve
men who had believed and they received the
Holy Ghost and prophesiei Chapter xix, ..
n. There is evidently gift OF the Spirit
for saved people for service OF which we
hear comparatively little; and yet there Isl
plain command to "Be filed with the Spirit"
tEph. v. 49,. See the way in Luke Ii., IL.
is, 10. 'Give ME also this power, that on
whomsoever lay hands he may receivethe
HOLY Ghost" We now return to Simon. OF
whom we read in verse 13 that he believed.
was baptized and continued with Philip
wondering and beholdiug. And now he OF.
fers money that he may obtain this 20 wer to
confer the spirit. He does not seek power
to serve God in humility Xxx, l9,, but
rather seeks to be a great One and have
power to give.
20. "Thy money perish with thee because
thou hast Thought that the gilt Of God may
be purchased with money" He did not
know Isaiah w., ], nor Luke 1i, IL. and
vet he was like great many even now who
think that by doing SO much or giving so
much they can obtain gifts from God. Many
members OF churches seem not to understand
the grace OF God Rom. ill.,, 4; Eph. l., b, q
81. "Thou hast neither part nor lot in
this matter for thy heart is not right In the
light of God" II he had no part in Christ
he was not saved; but II Peter meant that
he had no part in this gift OF the Holy
Spirit, he was just in the condition in which
most of our church members are, and In
reference to serving God his heart was not
right.
22. Repent therefore Of this thy wicked
ness: and pray God, IL perhaps the Thought
of thine heart msy be forgiven thee"
Praise God for His forgiveness and mercy
and plenteous redemption (Ps. cxII., 4, q;
ciii.. 81. He also gives repentance tchaPter
", 3n. Notice that thoughts must be Tor
given, for the thought OF foolshness Is SIN
prov. xiv, 81.
%. For 1 perceive that thou art in the
gall OF bitterness and in the bond OF In
iouty." II he was truly saved it would seem
that he would have peace instead or bltter-
ness and rejoice in the hlotting out OF his
iniquities Qsa. xx1viii., IL; xiii, 25l.
"a. "Pray ye the Lord for me that none
Of these things which ye have spoken come
upon me.n This request OF Simon's to be
prayed for gives US some encouragement,
out the object Of his request makes us
wonder IL we shall meet him. He Is not
comfortable study. and alas! he has many
followers 1t is himself from first to last
25. preached the word OF the LORD,
preached the Gospel" Thus die Peter and
John on their way back to Jerusalem Ihey
have no thought of themselves, but only
consuming desire to make Jesus known.
This is the mark Of true disciple. Lesson
Helper.
CENSUS bulletin l94 details tho
population of color, sex and general