Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1909-02-25
ssnasy Sshssl Lsssua fs Feb. ~, 1899
Specially Arranged for This Payer

EnnEl1a4
LESSON TExT.-Acts s:it-1. Memory
verses H. Is.
GOLDEN TExT.-The people with one
accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake. hearing the miracles
which he did.-Acts Sc
TIMES or - A. ID. Immediately att
er the martyrdom OF Stephen tour last
lesson). The church has been In exist
ence about six years. with rapid growth
and varied experiences.
PLAcE.-Jerusalem. and some chief
city OF semaria- either samaria or
sychaF.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
1. There was a great persecution
against the church which was at Je-
rusalem." Not by the heather, but by
che 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-
lions against PLATE. and his summons
to Rome for trial, followed soon by the
death Of Emperor Tlberius. gave an
opportunity for the Jewish leaders 70
carry on their prosecutions.
We. Saul made havoc OF the
church." r. w., laid waste" AS an
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. Paups
own statement confirms this descrip-
tion.
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 II and took root and
made a new plant. wherever the winds
of persecution blew II. These scat.
tered Christians were like brands OF
fire, kindling a 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 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.
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 /
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. IL. The apostles sent unto
them Peter and John" Not as rulers
but 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 giveI
and the receiver. And they received
the Holy Ghost" with the same out
ward Manifestations Of tongues oil
fame and speaking with tongues, AZ
well as the inward grace and power
which characterized Pentecost sii
years before, as appears from Simon'i
request.
The specisl reasons for this gif'
were much tho same as on its FIRST be
stowal at Pentecost. "a 1t ex
pressed clearly the inward grace anC
power, 90 that those who received Il
and all others, might realize the fac
OF the unseen gift. as the spark or tn,
lightning reveals the presence OF cleo
tricity. (2) The new church, undel
new circumstances. needed the power
and gifts. and fresh life bestowed. q.
II proved to the Jewish disciples, anC
especially to the church at Jerusalem
that the Samaritan movement wal
from God. and approved by the savIou
and Master.
v. IS. Simon offered then
money" to purchase from the apostles
the power they themselves possessed
Note /. From this action OF Slmol
HIS name has won immortality OF in
fanny. since the crime OF Simony 4
named after him.
Note 2. The best gifts cannot b
bought with money-wisdom. love
peace, new hearts, character. spiritua
power. The beat things OF God ar
| free to all men. like air and Hunshin
and Waior AZ the u0af bAaufiful firm