The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-02-24
Feb'y %. The Gospel in samaria.
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f1SI O.tsOEs
The events of the lesson Of today
follow close on those of last Sunday.
The killing of Stephen seemed to have
set on fire thirst for the blood of
other christians. and so began the
prosecutions which under the leader
ship of Saul scattered the Christians
at Jerusalem in all directions. One
of the laymen thus driven out. was
Phillip, one of the seven deacons
chosen with Stephen. He thus must
have been man of strong faith and
full of the spirit of Jesus. He went
northward, and to the city of Samaria
and there preached the new gospel.
His preaching was accompanied with
the power to perform miracles and the
people heard him gladly and vast
number of them were baptized.
1t would appear that in the city,
there was sorceror. worker of
magic named Simon. who had made
the people believe that he had con-
nection with diety and thus possessed
of super-human powers. Many had
been led to believe his prerensions,
The people however. seemed to under
stand the difference between his teach
ings and those of Phillip. and they
turned to the latter and were baptized
in the name of Jesus. Simon himself
protested conversion and was bap-
tiled.
The news of the results of the
preaching by Phillip coming to the
ears of the Christians at Jerusalem
they sent down Peter and John to
give the new converts encouragement
and instructions. These went down,
prayed with the converts and laying
hands on them. the Holy Spirit was
given. Simon, the sorcerer. saw that
the apostles possessed power he did
not. and so he offered money to Peter
to give him the right to convey the
Holy Ghost by laying on of hands.
Peter denounced the fellow, and so
scared him that he begged that he
pray for him that no evil come be-
cause of his sin. Peter and John
coon after returned to Jerusalem
preaching the gospel in the towns
they passed through.
The first lesson to be learned from
the verses is tas ability of the lay
men to work for Jesus. Phillip, who
was so faithful and did such good
work as told in this lesson, when he
preached to the many at Samaria.
and Immediately after to one man the
Ethiopian. was but a new convert.
He was not with Jesus through His
ministery. and seemingly not SO able
to preach and to understand the new
gospel. His heart like that of
Stephen. however, had been touched
with a live coal off the altar. and he
was filled with the Holy Ghost. 1t
is mistake to think that the main
work of telling about Jesus is pn y'.e
hands of the ministry. The tluls
most efficient work can be done bv
those not known and heralded as lead
ers and ministers. When the pastor
talks. it is often looked on as his BUSH
ness. much as hired lawyer is con-
sidered who is working it is said "to
earn his fee. /" One way from Christ,
will listen to the words of a neigh
Dor and friend with more open heart
than when advice come from the min
lister or evangelist. The strongest
teaching for this lesson. is the bless
ings which God will shower on the
work of the common every day Chris
tian who talks and acts for Him.
The presence of the hypocrite in the
church is shown in the fact that ST.
mon apparently professed convention
and was baptized. 1t would appear
that he wanted to be in the new So
ciety to make money for himself.
His heart had never been changed.
1t is very serious charge to make
that one now protesting to be chris