The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-03-04

subject: Philip and the ETHIOPIAN
Acts S:28-4O-GoldenT Text, John
5:39-Commit Verses 2e.3f-
Commentary on the Lesson.
m TIME.--35-37 A. d. PLACE.
The Desert.
ExPOSITION.-I. AGreat Preach.
er Sent Into a Desert, 20, eta. Pbiliu
was In the midst of a great work IN
Samaria, and now he was to leave ali
this and go down to desert road IN
meet a siagle individual and lead him
to Christ. This shows the Importance
Oh personal work and the value of a
single soul. Philip had learned the
highest form of wisdom-the wisdom
OF doing Just what the Lord bids you.
He was man guided of God, because
ne was so earnestly looking for
guidance, and so prompt in obeying.
Faith's best proof is obedience (Heb.
11:S).
III. A Great Statesman Seeking the
way of Life, 27b, %. II we lust go
the way God bids, asking no aues-
tions, 1t will soon begin to deyelop
why God has sent us. This man was
a great person, but that was not why
Philip was sent to him, but because
ne was a sincere seeker after truth
". 27, last clause, 80, 81, "a, 36:
comp. Jno. 7:17; Ps. 25:9). This
statesman evidently considered relig-
ion matter of sufficient Importance
to bestow much time, trouble and ex-
pense upon it. He had come to
Jerusalem for to worship" No won
der God gave more light to a man
VINO was so earnestly following the
light he had. In v. 28 r. V. ia a les
son on How to Study the Bible and
now to improve the time when tray-
cling. 1t was while engaged in the
study of the Word that God revealed
to the eunuch the fuller truth. This
indicates the reason why some of us
never get these revelations from God
III. Personal Work I'm a Chariot.
29-35. 1t Is evident from the record
mere that God does not expect us to
speak to every one we meet about
His salvation; but that, II we watch
Tor His leading as to whom to an
proach, He will give it. There are
many OF us who never heard the
Spirit say to us, GO, speak to that
man." Is it because we are not list
ening keenly enough to catch "the
still, small voice?" 1t is we'll to note
carefully the first two words the
Spirit spoke to Philip, "go near" If
we are, to win men to Christ that is
the way to begin. One of the great
mistakes of a large portion of the
church to-day Is that we are trying
TO save men from a distance. It is an
unusual sight to see one man running
after another to speak to him about
Christ. This was the only way Philip
could catch his man. It is the only
way we can catch many whom the
Lord wishes is to save. We wait for
men to come and seek us. Oh. for a
Few Philips to run after men! "Up-
derstandest thou what thou readest?"
A very pertinent question, and vet
would not some of us think It inner
tinent IL put to us? But II we were
to tell the truth about our Bible read
Ing, what would we have to answer
to that question? The eunuch an
swered, How can I, except some one
shall guide me?" There is One al
ways ready and always at hand to
guide us Ono. 1926; 1913; 1 Jno.
2:27): 1t is very important that we
should understand what we read
Matt. 1919, 23; 1910; 24:15),
The eunuch was thoroughly in earn
est In his search for truth. He be.
sought this unknown worker to come
into his chariot and sit with him that
ne might point out to him the mean
Ing of Gods Word. It was indeed
providential that he was reading a
passage that so clearly expounds the
atoning work of Jesus. The eunuch
asked a question that went right at
the heart of the matter, "of whom
speaketh the prophet this? of himself
or OF some other man." It is al
ways well to know exactly of whom
any Scripture speaks. But there is
no passage where this question is
more vital than in Isaiah SO. II it
reters to the Messiah, then beyond
the possibility of honest question
Jesus OF Nazareth was the predicted
Messiah. And 1t does refer to the
Messiah and to Jesus. Infidels and
rationalists have labored hard to in
vent some other Interpretation. But
every attempt has ended In utter fail
ure' The most plausible theory that
they have advanced is that 1t refers
10 suffering Israel" But this theory
goes all 10 pieces on the rock that the
suHerer Is represented as suffering
Ior the sins of others than himself
VISA "o'f, u o, ., IL, lZD, and the
Others for whose sins he Is suffering
are my people," /. e., Israel Isa.
$3.50. So evidently the sufferer can
not be Israel.
III. Believing, Baptized and Re.
Joicing, 30-40. The treasurer prompt
ly accepted the truth and Jesus. II
the eupuch had been like many mod
ern seekers after truth" hs would
have thought of score of things that
would hinder his being baptized. But
he was not merely In pretence, but in
reality an honest inquirer; so. when
he found the truth he threw difficui-
ties to the wind and obeyed 1t. Philip
does not hesitate, but .immediately
baptizes him. Philips work Is done
and the Spirit takes him away (seem-
fngly he Is caught away as by a hurri-
cane, CT. 2 X. 2:16). The eunuch
must now learn to look directly to
Jesus Himself. This he does. He
does not ask for Philip now that he
has found Jesus. He went on his way
rejoicing" with new-found Joy,
10Y those only know who receive
lasus