The Yale expositor., 1909-02-26
The Gospel
in Samaria
Sunday School Lesson for Feb. Is, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

which he did.-Acts Sc.
TIMES or 81 A. ID. Immediately aft
err the martyrdom OF Stephen (our last
esson). The church has been in exist
once about six years. with rapid growth
and varied experiences.
PLACE-Jerusalem, aud some chief
city OF Samaria, either Samaria or
Sychar.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
i. There was 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 mar,yrdom 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-
tons against Plate, and his summons
to Rome for trial, followed soon by the
death OF Emperor Tiberius, gave an
opportunity for the Jewish leaders to
carry on their prosecutions.
V. 2. Saul made havoc Of the
ShuiSh, ". ", idlu WdbbC. Ab oil
army devastates the country II over
runs, or as wild beasts ravage a gar
den, or field of grain, or a pasture
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 1t and took root and
made new plant, wherever the winds
Of persecution blew II. 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, II 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 hv hafu0 RlIad NTH fha HoIv
Spirit, and trained under the apostles
The Sunday school teacher can be
made an ideal teacher in the same
way. II have often wished" ex-
claimed Alexander Whyte, the wonder
full pastor and teacher of Free ST.
Georges church of Edinboro, that l
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.
w. IA. THE apostles sent unto
them Peter and John" Not as rulers,
but as 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
fame and speaking with tongues, as
well as the Inward grace and power,
which characterized Pentecost six
years before, as appears from Simon s
request.
The special reasons for this gift
were much the same as on its first be
stowal at Pentecost. % 1t ex-
pressed clearly the inward grace and
power so that those who received it,
and all others. might realize the fact
OF the unseen gift, as the spark or the
lightning reveals the presence of cleo
tricity. GU The new church, under
new circumstances. needed the power
and gifts. and fresh life bestowed CD
II proved to the Jewish disciples, and
especially to the church at Jerusalem
that the Samaritan movement was
from God, and approved by the Saviour
and Master.
v. IS. Simon -. offered them
money" to purchase from the apostles
the power they themselves possessed
Note 1. From this action Of Simon
his name has won immortality of in
fanny, since the crime of Simony is
named after him.
Note 2. The best gifts cannot be
bought with money-wisdom, love
peace. new hearts. character, spiritual
power. The best things OF God are
free to all men, like air and sunshine
and water, as the most beautiful forms
and lines are the most common.
We can treat every one as Chris
tians should treat them.
There are some persons who think
we ought to send missionaries to argue
down the infidels. What did PhiliI
dot He preached Christ Philip did
not argue down Simon, he super
| II. mi.