The St. Louis Republic., 1902-03-08
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
"The Disciples Scattered" Acts
viii, 2-119

| Prepared for Tie Republic by the Reverend j. T.
| Gilbert; d. d. Sscrstary o. tie American So
| ciety OF Religious Education
| INTRODUCTION-Ou lessons for two
en- chapters of the Book OF Acts. which deal
\ only with the Christian church In Jerusa-
! lem. 1t was according to the plan OF Jesus
vietor,ss Als; J. in IN the % city m Where he was con-
| dernned. which was the strategic point Tor
| a worldwide propaganda During those
| form suited 20 the genius OF the people
among whom it's converts were secured. a
form not altogether adapted 70 tne otnSs
peoples living In distant parts OF the Roman
Empire The eighth chapter Is the begin
| ming OF the history OF the church OUTSIDE
OF Jerusalem The student as ne, me aasahfss ,a tss
rev departure, the course pursued by the
wors worsh.p and and doc doctrine. Without doubt all
this advance was under the guidance OF the
Holy Spirit. who was preparing for the
Observation-Disclosures and ~ Attention
must first be directed to the methSd en-
pioyed In sending believers out OF Jerusa-
lem. They went as missionaries. everywhere
preaching the word. but they were inducei
TO go because OF persecution The young
man. Saul. who had consented to {ns dea,n ;aI,
Gal T. 40. became the efficient agent OF
the Sanhedrim in a movement 10 eXtirpate
He who afterwards became the apostle to
the Gentiies (Acts xii, 2r. began by dis
pers.ng the home church. Fortunatey ne
Of commnnicants. expecting doubtless TO IN
timidate those who might be disposed 10 the
new faith This left the apos'tss In Jeru-
salem where they could supervise matters
verse y. and It sent out into the villages
those who were better adapted 70 tne
masses who could more easily aajuss sss ,nenf NJ
selves and their teaching 10 the heeus oi
the various communities. rS,.
CoNVERSIONS-Cver s and 81 Inere
thus came into service s;hs oody go OF Ip Wko not
well versed in doctrinal matters knew now
to tell the story of Jesus to those OF their
attention o one OF those. Philip. who had
been chosen with Stephen and others
deacon. (Acts VI. % He tourneyed nSr,h- @
had been the capitol of Israel after the re,
volt OF the ten tribes; Kings; XVI, y,
This. city was on the hlghway between Ss
ed to the woman at the well and gained
some converts Oohn iv. 5: ss,. and he
had directed that the gospel ha should wa1 hsa sf
thus been prepared for Philip. who secured
a. good hearing. for with one accord tie
happy release and a high honor TO this
good man. that having escaped from the
bigoted metropolis. he establishad this Sec
MIRACLES-(Verses and 81 Philip was
more than a deacon. the servant of tables
in ministe-ing to the needs OF widows
declaring the truths or doctrines Of Christ.
He seems TO have abandoned the first func-
ond power to work miracles, This was
IN accordance with the promise of Jesus
mark xvi, II. 1S. q transfer to his believ-
ers OF measure Of the power which he
had displaved on so many occasions. John
xi. Az These miraculous deeds were IN
kind the same as those that were wrought
unclean spirits and the healing of diseases
They were. moreover, af the same value.
the CREDENTIALS Of the workers. the proof.
divinely commissioned. Granted at the
opening OF this dispensation. this ability
was continued in the church long enough
withdrawn, Samaria welcomed and re-
Joiced while Peter remained.
tianity was brought face to face with this
form OF heathen superstition and with it's
sminen; representative in the city where
triumph. Philip or simon? There was much
to strengthen the hold OF the latter II
persons gave Wiling heed to ne mn.teres tSSs
seemed TO satisfy the natural desire for
knowledge Of the unseen world. Besides
age as to distrust everything new. and cling
to the old What will these
followers OF Simon do. what will he do,
carnation. life. work. death and resurrec-
ton? The miracles had much to do. per
hap hsPs more 81 a than hi the ,h hseaehins with the re-
lowed TO offset the black arts as in tn. !
time of Moses. (Ex. Ill. 3O) But whether
by preaching or miracles. or by both the !
outcome demonstrated the power of the
gospel. The disciples of the sorcerer.
and were baptized.
NISITATION-tVerses II and 15) The d;s- |
persicn Of believers from Jerusalem did no, |
separate ther:l from the mother church
The preaching OF Philip and others was |
not IRREGULAR and independent The church |
np to this time at leas; preserved its unity. |
and that was not only spiritual and doc |
trinal. but organic The apostles who re-
tained their residence in Jerusalem, where
probably they exercised their chief func-
tions. were regarded. and they regarded |
entire body of believers wherever they
might be, When. therefore. intelligence Of /
his work in Samaria reached Jerusalem,
he apostles were convened ard two OF their
number. Peter and John. We're sent 20 con-
slider the subject The wi.dom of such<
.curse st th-, juncture. when foundations
we're being laid. cannot be doubtsa Il Uas