The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-08
Church and Sunday-SChool

| tion. The young man, Saul, who had consented
| to tho death of Stephen, moved by zeal for Juda.
| ism CGal i1D, became the efficient agent Of tile
Slnhcdrm in movement TO extirpate what was
deemed an abominable heresy. lie who after.
| ward became the apostle to the Gcntiles (Acts
Nxi:2D. began by dispensing the home church,.
| Fortunately he attacked the common people, the
great mass of communicates, expecting doubtless
| to intimdate those who might be disposed to
the new faith. This left the apostles in Jeru.
salem. where they could supervise matters (ver'c
", and sent 1t out into the villages those who
were better adapted TO the masses, who could
| more easily adjust themselves and their teach.
ing to the needs Of the various communities.
CONvERslONS.--(Ncrs . and G). There thus
came into service a body of lay cvangcsts, prob
ably of either sex, who, not well versed in doc.
| trnal matters, knew how to tell the story Of
Jesus to those of their own classes. The nara
tive calls special attention to one Of these,
Philip, who had been chosen with stephen and
Others, Il deacon (Acts vi:j) lie journeycd north.
ward from jerusalem to Samara, which lad been
the capital OF Israel after the revolt of the ten
, tribes q Kings, xvi:2W This city was on the
highway between Jerusalem and Nazareth There
Jesus preached TO the woman at the well and
gained some converts John, iv:5, 3D, and he
had directed that the gospel should be preached
there (Acts i:S). The way had thus been pre-.
pared for Philip who secured good nearing, for
with one accord the people waited oh his min
istry. 1t was happy release and high honor
to this good man. that having escaped from the
bgotcd metropolis, he established this second
center for the cause of Christ.
MlRACLES.-Uerse 7 and 81. Philip was
more than n deacon. the servant OF tables in
| mnistoring to the needs of widows (Acts vi:l.2),
| and more than a preacher declaring the truths
or doctrines of Christ. He seems to have aban-
doncd the first function and TO have acquired
besides the second a power to work miracles.
This was in accordance with the promise of Jesus
| mark Nvi17-1S), transfer to his believers OF n
| measure of the power which lie had displayed
on so many occasions John XiiO. These mrac.
ulous deeds were in kind the same as those that
| were wrought during the ministry OF Christ
| control over unclean spirits and the healing OF
diseases. They were, moreover, OF the same
| value the credentials of the workers. the proofs
| that they were supernaturally endowed and Di-
vncly commissioned. Granted at the opening Of
this dispensaton, this ability was continued in
the church long enough TO serve the proposed
purpose and then withdrawn. Samaria welcomed
and rejoiced while Philip remained.
sORCERY.-(vcrscs 0, 10. l1.)-ln Jerusalem
the Christian ministers met the opposition OF the
Jewish ierarcln-a new religion was condemned
by an Old ecclesiastical body that had sadly dc.
generated. In its progress among the nations
| Christianity encountered other foes, perhaps less
formidable Its triumph over them proved its su-
pcrority. The first of these was met at Samara.
Simon, who had long practiCcd sorcery, had
gained great influence with the people of that
t,itt- ,tlt, r,loI bip,
them. Sorcery was ono OF the many systems OF
| dvination known to the people of eastern coun.
d! tries, more common in ancient times. 1t has
been supposed to be of Egyptian origin EXODUS,
viii ID where it in favor forty centuries ago,
from which country it was carried into all lands.
| The sorccrrrs imposters who pretended to
! have magical powers from the spiritual world
! they were readers Of the stars, interpreters OF
dreams, fortune telers, medicine men. Simon had
done great things, and boasted much, 10 the as
| tonshment of the people.
| BAPTISMS- II and l3.)-Chrstanity
/ was brought face to face with this form of heath
en- superstition and with its eminent representa-.
tive in the city where he had found popular IA
vor. Who shall triumph, Philip or Simon' There
was much to strengthen the hold OF the latter.
1t was day OF ignorance, when credulous per.
sons gave willing heed to mysteries that seemed
to satisfy the natural desire for knowledge Of
the unseen world. Besides, the mind at that
time was under such londaga as to distrist cv.
erything new, and cling conScrvatively to the
old. What will these followers OF Simon do,
what will he do, with the simple preaching OF
Jesus-lIis incarnation, life work, death and
resurrection? The miracles had much to do, per-
haps more than the teaching, with the result.
! 1t may be that miracles We're allowed 10 Offset
the black arts in the time Of Moses. Exodus,
IL,
or by both, the outcome demonstrated the power
of the gospel The disciples of the sorcercr, and
| then he himself confessed their faith and We're
baptized.
| NISITATION-(V II and l5)-'rhe dis
person of believers from Jerusalem did not
separate them from the mother church. The
preaching OF Philip and Others was not irregular
and independent. The church up to this time
al least preserved its unity, and that was NOT
only spiritual ,and doctrinal, but organic. Tie
apostles who retained their residence in Jelu-
salem, where probably they exercised their chief
/ functions, We're regarded, and they regarded
! themselves, as the superintcndents over the EN-
| tire body of believers wherever they might be.
! When, therefore, intelligence of this work in
Sanara reached Jerusalem, the apostles were
| convened and two Of their number, Peter and
John, were sent to consider the subject. The
wisdom Of such course at that iuncturc, when
foundations were being Laid, cannot be doubted
! II was desirable that the new movement should
he rightly organized, and in order thereto some.
! thing of the correctional spirit was necessary.
When the two men arrived they We're received,
| and they gave themselves To the matter OF chief
| concern, the baptism OF the spirit.
BESTOWAL.--(Versesl 10 and l7.)-'Ihe congre.
CATION in samaria had not received the Holy