Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-03-08
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
March 9.
SUBJECT: The Disciples Scattered. Acts viii.
3'H-Goiden Text. Acts viii. Mem.
DRY Verses. csmmeatary
on the Days Lesson.

.. Saui made havock" The Greek
word means 10 destroy. 'ravage.' do
vastate as Ieroc;ouS animal would de-
stroy its prey. Saul did his utmost 10
ruin the church. He was mad against the
Christians and set no bounds tn his rage
and cruelty. He did this under the sane
ton OF the rulers. See Acts -: 1; %: 10.
This does not prove that stephens mar
tyrdom was not having an effect upon
Saul, for when conscience is awakened
aud the Holy Spirit Is pressing His claims,
then II is that men frequently exert them
selves against God. and use every means
to drive the Spirit from them. Every
house" He searched everywhere that
none might escape. Hating" An old
English word Tor hauling And women
HIS fairy knew no bounds. He arrested
the innocent women and dragged them
forth the same as the men To prison
So many were arrested that it was impos-
sib,c 10 bring them TO trial Il; once. The
Romans alone could lnliict the death pen
aitv. but the Sanhcirin could intict any
punishment short OF death. St. Paul him
sell says that some OF them were put 10
death Chap. 26l, aud if this was not done
by Roman authority. then Saul and his as
sociates must have resortcd to mob law.
T. Scattered Heretofore The work
had been centralized in Judea. but now
the prosecutions drive them out. and the
church enters upon new epoch 81 expan
sion. Everywhere" Through .Iudea and
Samara. Preaching the word" These
itinerant preachers. J; Is the word" -
plain. simple. gospel irntl, that reaches
the sinner.
D. Philip. The deacon. mentioned in
chap. 6. now advanced 10 the degree OF m
evangelist. "Samaria." Oar Lord com
manded them to bear witness Of HIM IN
Samaria after Jerusalem, Act: l: s.
g. with one accord. The origina,
words imply that crowds ri people gave
their faith and consent IN the new teach.
ing. When they heard. etc. (R. W
The, heard what had been done in other
places and saw what Philip WAS now doing
4 'Unclean spirtS-came ont Hence
it is evident that these unclean spirits
were not species ~ diseases as they are
here distinguished from the paralytic and
the lame. There is nothing more certain
than that the New Testament writers
mean real diaboiic possessions by the terms
unc!ean spirits. devils. etc.
s. Great Joy" This joy arose ~ from
the fact that a large number mad been
healed. and ~ that the gospel had been
preached IL them. y reviva. OF religion
always produces Joy
o. simon. Mucn has been written re
~
about him. He i usually spoken of as
Simon Magus ''Sorcery" He practiced
magic exercising the arts OF the Magi or
maccdn-. hence the name Simon Migus
10 "Thav all" Both old and Young
were carried away with has deceptions
TIE great power al God --See Il.
here. They believed him to he the one in
vested with the power OF God. supposns
that the wonders he performed evinced
his possession OF great supernatural gifts.
II. Had regard" Gave heed" X. V.
In the hope that he might be he deliverer
for whom they had long been waiting
Oh long time His birthplace was IN Sa-
maria and 1T is most probable that he
had lived there a great part OF his life
arises the kingdom OF lies must wane:
When they SAW the true light they turned
from the feeble. worldly light. Philip.
teaching met their needs and brought sal
walton. hope and Joy. Good tidings" tR.
~ Philip preached the gospel which
means glad tidiugs. Kingdom OF God. =
Defined by Paul Rom. IL: il as being
righteousness and peace and JOY in the
Holy Ghost. 1t is spiritual kingdom
which Christ sets up III the hearts of His
followers. The name. They believed
that Christ was the Messiah o: whom there
WAS some expectation even among the Sa
maritans. Were baptized" Thus they
H."e P"oi'S ptoies>ioi "a the'' Ia't" IVA
Christ.
II. Then" Simon Simply driftei with
the popular tide. Men often profess reli-
gion in order 10 gam a better standing i'll
tine community. Himself believed Ii
would appear to he great triumph to
have the leader OF the opposition speak
out boldly in favor OF the truth but the
narrative shows Tvs 1924 that his heart
was untouched by divine grace. He per
haps believed that Jesus had wrought mir
aces and was raised from the dead. but he
had no thought OF renouncing his sorcery
He likely looked upon Philip as a supe-
rior sorccrer OF whom he might learn. Left
without followers he thought ii best 10 JOIN
the man who had fairly outstrlpped
him Was baptized" Here is strong
argument against what Is called 'hapts-
NAL regeneration After Simon had beer
baptized by Philip and whatever the
mode ii must have been the correct mode
Peter tells him he is in the gall OF BIT
terness." V. %. Surely baptism canno.
wash away our sins.
H. Sent Peter and John" We gather
from this that there was 10 special pre-
cmlnence assigned Ia any among tie apos-
tics in those early DAYS. They were sen.
10 assist Philip in the great WORK That
had so quickly opened up before him. The
harvest the Saviour saw l.Iohn 1: 80
was being gathered. The apostles mad
greater authority thitn Iniip ana the re
suits show that they we're especially need
ed at this time
Is. Prayer for them Instead OF at
once exercising their own authority they
seek direction from Goi. Might re
ceive' They a; once cad he new CON
verts into deeper Christian experience.
l6 Was fallen" This expression IS
several times applied 20 the Holy Spirit
1t means that lie came from heaven. and
denotes the rapidity and suddennsss of
His coming. la tht name. The name
of Jesus Christ means The same as Jesus
Christ Himself
Il. Hands on them Tho blessings
came from God through the apostles. Re
oeived the Holy Ghost We have here
as at Caesarea (ctap. 10: i4:si aud at
Epheseus fchap. 70: an. a miniature Pen
tecost While at this time extraordinary
endowments were no doubt conferred. bv
which those upon whom the apostles 'ald
their hands may nave been able to speak
with tongues and perform miracles. j: *
also equally true that they mast have re-
ceived spiritual blessings as well. The
Holy Spirit would purify fchap. -: 81.
enrich, cnlightcn aud FULLY equip them FOR
all the events of HE. bringing them into
fellowship with all believers regardless of