The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-03-06
NOTES AND COMMENTS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The Scripture text to be studied in
cluded the first 20 verses of the chap
ter from which the above verses are I,
taken, These verses narrate the fol- |
lowing Incidents:
The disciples scattered...........Acts SO
Philip In Samaria ................. ACTS S:6-l,
Simon rebuked ..................Acts S:ls-2o
All this occurred a. ID. 90 to Sc.
The Disciples Scattered.-Stephen's
trial completely convinced the Jews
that the disciples of Jesus were a set
OF blasphemers who ought to be
stamped out at once. The chief agent
in the proceedings resulting from this
conviction was Saul. His method is
most fully described by himself in 26:
Oil, where he tells Agrippa how he
imprisoned them, how he voted to put
some of them to death, and how he
brought pressure to bear by means of
the threat of expulsion from syna-
gogues and in other ways to lead them
to deny Jesus (Acts s:3)- Add to these
items the fact that search was made
from house to house for the capture
of any wto were suspected of connec-
tion with the followers Of Jesus. By
telling tire story os Jesus life and
work wherever they went, the scat
tered disciples accomplished the thing
for which, so faras we can Judge, Got
allowed them to suffer. We are prob
;SDly not to think of them as gath
ering audiences to whom they might
make formal addresses, but as tell
ing everyone whom they could get to
listen to dhem the story of Jesus life
and the lsnpe of salvation which they
cherished. OF course, many would
gather about them in the little villages
or the kirans where they met men.
Philip in Standardization the death
of Stephen, Phil became senior deacon.
Those officers now became leaders in
the work of teaching and preaching,
since the apostles could not work open
NY for time. 1t was long step for
ward for Jew to go to Samaria with
a message OF love. Jesus had men
fioned Samaria explicitly, however
G=S), and it had the advantage of be-
ing perfectly secure. In prac tically all
Gentle cities were large Jewish col
onies who recognized the authority of
the Sanhedrin and would endanger
any Christian who sought refuge
there. But no one in Samaria had any
respect for the Sanhedrin. Jesus
work in Samaria (John 4:39-42) made |
it possible for Philip, Jew as he was,
TO visit the city openly and gain hear
Ing. He was also helped by the power
TO perform miracles. There were
more people to secure there than In
places where Jesus had visited. Simon
Magus was evidently one OF those i'm
posters who in all ages have won a
large popular following by their
tricks. Philip appeared in the popu-
lar eye at first as great and success
full rival of Simon, but later the real
meaning of his work impressed them.
In view Of what happened later, ST.
mons profession of faith must be
viewed as little more than a tribute
to success, though it was no doubt
based on recognition in Philip of
power greater than that of any trick
ster. The work of Peter and John
was to see what had been done, to give
encouragement and especially to bring
the blessings of the Holy Spirit. No
instance has been recorded before of
the communication of the Spirit by
the laying on of hands, but such in
stances may have occurred.
Simon Rebuked.-The power Simon
desired seems to have been limited
to the apostles; at least, Philip did
not use it. Simon's offer was based
on an entire misconception of the ma
ture of the gift-a misconception he
'ould not have cherished had his own
spirit submitted itself genuinely to
God. The motive of the request in (
verse "a seems to have been selfish
desire to escape punishment. Simon
ioes not declare or manifest any real
penitence.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The prosecutors of the Gospel sought
20 suppress IT, but actually aided iu
is dissemination.
Through the overruling of God, the
Church has never been injured by per.
'ecution, but rather helped.
Wherever people are won to Him
here is great joy.
Those who love God are encom-
passed with gladness on every side,
because in every passing moment they
zee and feel a Fathers love, and moth