Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-03-08
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments FIR
March 9.
sunIeec The Disciples Scattered. Acts Will.
3'i7-GoIden Text. Acts viii. Mem.
DRY Verses. -Commeatarv
on the Days Lesson.

:. Sanl made havock" The Greef
word means TO destroy ravagc." do
yastate.' Us a 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 to his rage
and cruelty He did this under the sane
ton OF the rulers. See Acts -: /; IS: 10.
This does not prove that stephen mar
tyrdom was not having an effect upon
Saul. for when conscience Is awakened
and the Holy Spirit is pressing His claims.
then ii is that men frequently exert them
selves against God. and use every means
10 drive the Spirit from them. Every
house He searched everywhere that
none might escape "Hl;inS' An old
English word for naming And women.
His fI.x knew no bounds He arrested
tine 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 NJ once. The
Romans alone could infiirt the death pen
atty. but the Sanheirin could intiict any
punishment shor; oil death. St. Paul him
sell says that som. OF them were put 10
death CHAP. 26l, aud ii this was not done
by Roman authority. then Saul and his AS
sociates must have resorted to mob law.
:. Scattered Heretofore thc work
had been centralized in .Judea. but now
the prosecutions drive them ou, and the
church enters upon ? new epoch ri expan-
sion. Everywhere" Through .ludea anti
Samaria. Preaching the word These
dispersed Christians were like so many
itinerant preachers. ]; IL the word
plain. simple. gospel truth that reaches
the sinner.
5. Philip The deacon. mentioned in
chap. g. now advanced 10 the degree % an
evangelist. "Samara. Or Lord com
IL l.
Samaria after Jerusalem. Acts |: :.
g. with one accord" The origina,
words imply tina. crowds OF people gave
their faith and consent ~ the new teach.
ing. When they heard" etc. tR. W
The, heard what had been done in other
places and saw what Philip was now doing.
I. ''Unclean spiritS-came out Hence
it is evident tia: these unclean spirits
were not 4 specieS n; diseases. as they are
here distinguished IRON the paralytic and
the lame. There is nothing more certain
than that the New Testament writers
mean real iiahoiic possessions by the terms
unc,ean spirits. devils. etc
8. Great Joy" This joy arose ~ from
the fact that a large number mad been
healed. and t2} that the gospel had been
preached 10 them. y revival OF religion
always produces Joy
.. Simon" Mucn has been written re-
garding this ran. although little is known
about him. He i usually spoken oi a
Simon Mdgus ">orccry" He practiced
mage. exercising the arts oi the Mnei or
magic;du.. hence the name Simon Mlgus.
10 "Thav ali" Both old and young
were carried away with his deceptions.
Tie grea; power 81 God See Il. V
here. They believed him To he the one in
vested with the power oi God. surprising
that the wonders ne performed evinced
his possession OF great supernatural gifts
H. Had regard . Gave heed" X. V.
In the hope that he might be the deliverer
for whom they had long been waiting
OF long ;ime.Y His birthplace was in Sa-
had lived there great part OF his life.
l.. Relieved" Where Gods truth
arises tine kingdom OF lies must wanc.
When they saw the true light they turned
from the feeble. worldly light. Philips
teaching met their needs and brought sal
walton. hope and JOY. Good tidngs tR.
" Philip preached the gospel, which
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 i'll the hearts OF His
followers. The name They believed
that Christ was the Messiah .; whom there
was some expectation even among the Sa-
maritlns. Were baptized" Thus they
Christ.
II. Then" Simon Simply drf,ei with
the popular tide. Men often profess reli-
gion in order to gam better standing i'll
the community. Himself believed. 1t
would appear to I've great triumph to
have the leader OF the opposition speak
out boldly n favor OF the truth but the
narrative shows Tvs 1924 that his hear,
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. Lett
the man who mad fairly outstrIpped
him WAS baptized Here is strong
argument against what is called "baptis-
NAL regeneration After Simon had beer
baptized By Philip and whatever the
mode il must have been the correct mode
Peter tells him he Is in the gall of bit
terness" V % Surely baptism canno.
wash away oar sins.
H. Sent Peter and John We gather
from this that there was no special pre-
eminence assigned 10 any among tie apos-
tics in those cary day-. They were sen:
10 assist Philip IN the great WORK that
had so quickly opened up before HIM The
harvest" the Saviour saw (john 4 3jl
was being gathered. The apostles mad
greater authority IMAM inllt' anu tHt r.
suits show that they were especially need
ed at this time
Is. PRAYER Tor them Instead OF at
once exercising their own authority they
seek direction from Goi. Might re.
ceive' They a once cad The mew con-
verts into deeper Christian experience.
l6. Was fallen THIS expression IS
several times applied % the Holy Spirit
II mears tina; lie came from heaven. and
denotes the rapidity and >uddenness OF
His coming In tht name" The name
of Jesus Christ means ;he same as Jesus
Christ Himself
l.. Hand, on them The blessings
came from God through the apostles. Re
ceived the Holy Ghost We have here
as at Caesarea lctlp. /" IS. and az
Epheseus tchap. 10: 81. miniature Pen
tecost While at this time extraordinary
endowments were no doubt conferred. hv
which those upon whom the apostles iald
their hands may nave been able to speak
with tongues and perform miracles. j. is
also equally true that they mist have re-
ceived spiritual blessings as well. The
Holy Spiri; would purify fchap. -: 81.
enrich, cnlightcn aud fully equip them Cor
al. the events of life. bringing them into
fellowship with all believers regardless Of
race"