The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-03-07

.
That were scattered abroad went ev.
rrywhere preaching the Word.-Acss
sA.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The Scripture text TO be studied in
Guided the first 25 verses of the chap
ter from which the above verses are
taken. These verses narrate the fol-
lowing Incidents:
The disciples scattered. ..........Acts s:s. :
Philip In Samaria minimum. ACTS ~.
Simon rebuked ......-............Ac's o'i'~
All this occurred a. ID. 30 TO SO.
The Disciples Scattered.-Stephcn's
trial completely convinced the Jews
that the disciples of Jesus were 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 20:
Gil. 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-
cogues and in other ways TO lead them
to deny Jesus (Acts s:3). Add TO these
items the fact that a search was made
from house to house for the capture
of any who were suspected OF connec-
ton with the followers of Jesus. BY
telling the story of Jesus life and
work wherever they went. the scat
tered disciples accomplished the thing
for which. so far as we can judge. God
allowed them to suffer. We are prob
ably not to think of them as gath
ering audiences to WI ON they might
make formal addresses, but as tell
ing everyone whom they could get to
listen to them the story of Jesus life
and the hope of salvation which they
cherished. OF course. many would
gather about them in the little villages
or the khans where they met men.
Philip in Samaria.-After the death
of Stephen, Phil became senior deacon.
These officers now became leaders in
the work of teaching and preaching,
since the apostles could not work open
ly for a time. 1t was long step for
ward for a jew to go TO Samaria with
n message of love. Jesus had men,
toned Samaria explicitly, however
l:s). and il had the advantage of be-
inr perfectly secure. In practically 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
il 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 9
large popular following by their
tricks. Philip appeared in the popu
lar eye at first rs a great and success
full rival of Simon. but later the rea
meaning of his work impressed them
In view of what happened later, ST
mons profession of faith must b.
viewed as little more than n tribut'
to success, though it was no doub
based on n recognition in Philip of ,
; power greater than that of any trick
ster. The work Of Peter and JohI
was to see what had been done, to give
encouragement and especially TO brin,
the blessings of the Holy Spirit. NJ
instance has been recorded before o
the communication of the Spirit b.
the laying on Of hands, but such in
stances may have occurred.
Simon Rebuked.-The power Simol
desired seems to have been Unite,
to the apostles: at least, Philip di
not use il. Simon's offer was base
; on an entire misconception of the ma
ture of the gift-a misconception h
could not have cherished had his ow
spirit submitted itself genuinely I
God. The motive Of the request /
verse "a seema to have been a selfis
\ desire TO escape punishment. Simo
' does not declare or manifest any rel
penitence.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The prosecutors of the Gospel songl
!. to suppress IL, but actually aided
! its dissemination.
: Through the overruling of God. I'll
Z Church has never been injured by pei
secution, but rather helped.
. Wherever people are won to Hi
!. there is great joy.
Those who love God are encon
passed with gladness on every sid
! because in every passing moment the
see and feel Fathers love, and notl
: ing Of this world can take Il away Z