Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-02-25
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR FEBRUARY 2S.

INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR FEBRUARY %.
Subject: The Gospel in Samaria, Acts
8:4.25-Golden Text, Acts $50
Commit Verses II, 1B-Com-
mentary on the Lesson.
TINIE.-35-37 A. D. PLACE.
Samaria.
ExPOSITION.-I. Baptized With
er, 14.17. The apostles gladly re-
ceived the intelligence that the de-
spised Samaritans had received the
Word Of God. They sent their very
best men to foster the work. Peter
and John on their arrival found that
none of the converts had received the
Holy Spirit. Certainly among this
company Of baptized believers there
were some regenerate persons, but we
are distinctly told that "as yet the
Holy Spirit had fallen upon none of
them" They were precisely in the
position of many in the church to-
day. They had believed the truth
concerning the kingdom of God and
the name of Jesus Christ, and had
been baptized. but they had not re-
ceived the Holy Spirit as a distinct
and definite personal experience. So
important did the apostles regard It
that believers should receive the Holy
Spirit that the first thing they attend
ed to was this. They evidently
thought that the way to obtain the
Holy Spirit was by prayer ". Is; CT.
Luke 1879. 1t was now years after
Pentecost. and still we find the apos-
ties praying for the Holy Ghost. We
cannot improve upon their method.
The reception of the Holy Spirit by
these Samaritan converts was some
thing so very definite and marked
that Simon saw 1t. 1t has been ar
gued from the fact that the apostles
laid their hands upon them that the
Holy Ghost can only be given by the
laying Oh of an apostles hands, and
''as the apostles are no longer with
us the gift of the Holy Ghost is not
for to-day" This is strange logic
and contradicts plain Scripture teach
ing. for 1t was not an apostle. but
merely "a certain disciple" who laid
hands on Saul when he received the
Holy Ghost (Acts 9:1O, ~. The
household Of Cornelius received the
Holy Ghost without the laying on Of
Samaritan believers did not have to
spend weeks waiting for their Pen
tecost." 1t came the moment the
conditions were fulfilled. 1t was so
everywhere in Acts after Acts 81.
III. Baptized With Water. but Un-
regenerate, 1925. Simon desired to
buy the power of imparting the Holy
Spirit. His heart was so thoroughly
corrupt with selfishness and covet-
BUSINESS that he would turn Gods gift
into way of unholy gain. This
brought stern rebuke and awful
warning 1t is all very solemn. Are
there not to-day those who are long
ing and praying for the baptism with
the Holy Spirit for their own aggran-
dizement or gain? An evangelist
once spoke on the baptism with the
Holy Spirit. A pastor as he walked
home with him said. THAT is just
what I need. must have the bap-
tism with the Holy Spirit. am now
getting $1,000 year. If had this
baptism with the Holy Spirit believe
could get $500" That was fright
full. but this pastor only put into
plain words what many another has
dimly felt and for this reason has
longed and prayed for the gift. Let
all such ponder the solemn words in
vs.. 20-23. Such view Of the matter
reveals an irreverence toward God
and selfishness so profound as to
make pardon almost impossible (v.
22). The one who thinks that Gods
gifts can be purchased with money
does not know God nor the methods
of His grace. All of Gods gifts are
gifts indeed, They are not to be pur-
chased. but received Us. 55:1; Rom.
6:23: Eph. 2:S; Rom. 1850. Simon
had believed Philips doctrine and
had been baptized with water (v. 13).
but he was an unregenerate man. his
heart was not right in the sight of
this matter. The only one who has
of the Holy Ghost is the one whose
heart is right in the sight of God (cf.
Heb. 10; Acts 532). 1t matters
little whether our hearts are right in
the sight Of man, the question is. are
our hearts right in the sight of God.
We need forgiveness not only for our
outward acts, but also for the
thoughts of our heart. Simon was in
the visible church. but nevertheless
he was "in the gall of bitterness and
sthe bond OF iniQuity." There is no
gall so bitter as the gall Of sin. There
is no bond so strong as the bond of
iniquity John $3.50. Simon did not
want to draw near to God himself. so
asked Peter to pray to the Lord for him.
He does not appear to have been so
sorry for his sin as he was frightened
at the possible penalty. According to
tradition Simon did not repent, but
became an enemy to the Gospel. The
apostles did two things-they testi-
fed of what they themselves knew of
the Lord (cf. Luke 24:48; Acts 1881
and preached the Word of the Lord"
The word translated preach" means
spoke" They did not preach SER
mons. but Just talked the Word of
the Lord. Notice carefully what 1t
was they talked, not their own ideas.
but the Word of the Lord. On their
way back home they took opportunity
of declaring the good tidings in the
villages of the Samaritans through
which they passed. Their prejudices
were breaking down rapidly. Their
method of preaching Is worthy OF imi-
tation, just talking the Word OF the
Lord and declaring the Gospel (the
good newS).