The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-02-26
The Gospel
in Samaria
sunday School Lesson for Feb. 2s, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper

LESSON TEXT.-Acts S:14-25. Memory
verses H. 10.
GOLDEN TEXT-The people with one
accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake, hearing the miracles
which he did.-Acts So
TIME.-36 or 81 A. D. Immediatelv aft.
er the martyrdom of Stephen (our last
lesson). The church has been in exist
ence about six years, with rapid growth
ana varied experiences.
Professionalism, and some CHIEF
city of Samaria, either Samaria or
Sychar.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
l.. There was a great persecution
against the church which was at Je
rusalem." Not by the heather, but by
the Jews whose authority was being
threatened, and. whose teaching was
IN some respects antagonized.
The martyrdom of Stephen was the
beginning Of the first general perse-
cution of Christians. The circum-
stances described in our last lesson,
growing out of the unsettled state
OF the Roman government, the accusa-
NNO'iS 'SoihoI iiolC, eillu Ills
to Rome for trial, followed soon by the
death Of Emperor Tiberius, gave an
opportunity for the Jewish leaders to
carry on their prosecutions.
" 2. Saul made havoc of the
church" r. ", laid waste AS an
army devastates the country it over
runs, or as wild beasts ravage a gar
don fold Of
when they destroy the sheep. Pauls
own statement confirms this descrip-
ton.
4. They were scattered abroad"
AS seed scattered in all directions by
the farmer sowing his field broadcast
They went through Samaria, Galilee,
and as far as Phoenicia, Antioch and
Cyprus. Preaching the word" Every
seed had life in it and took root and
made a new plant, wherever the winds
of persecution blew it. These scat
tered Christians were like brands of
fire, kindling new fire wherever the
storm carried them.
Philip here is not the apostle
Philip, but Philip the deacon (Acts
$3.50 and evangelist (Acts 21:S). He
preached in Samaria, met Simon
Magus, brought the Ethiopian eunuch
to Christ, went on evangelizing the
country till he reached Cesarea, where
he eventually took up his abode. Here
he had four virgin daughters who
prophesied and entertained Paul on
one of his journeys to Jerusalem.
He was, If not a Grecian Jew, at
least of conspicuous liberal sympa-
thies, as his work among the Samari
tans shows.
He was "a born preacher" made
mighty by being filled with the Holy
Spirit, and trained under the apostles.
he Sunday school teacher can be
lde an ideal teacher in the same
ay. Il have often wished" eX-
claimed Alexander Whyte, the wonder
full pastor and teacher of Free ST.
Georges church of Edinboro, that
could have been one of the two En-
maus men whose hearts burned within
them as their risen Lord expounded
unto them in all the Scriptures the
things concerning himself" So does
the teacher wish, and he may have
his wish fulfilled.
V. IA. THE apostles . sent unto
them Peter and John" Not as rulers,
but as a friendly delegation of leading
apostles who could be trusted. They
sent their best men on the mission.
VS.. Is, II. Prayed for them
laid their hands on them" The
best spiritual gifts come through
prayer. The laying on of hands was
the connecting link between the giver
and the receiver. And they received
the Holy Ghost" with the same out !
ward manifestations of tongues Of
flame and speaking with tongues, as
well as the inward grace and power,
which characterized Pentecost six
years before, as appears from Simon's
request