The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-02-27
Sabbath School
NOTES BY X. s. HOLMES.
Lesson TX. February 20, 1909
THE GOSPEL IN SAMARlA.
(Acts 8: 42s)

(Acts 8: 42s)
Golden Text: And the people with
one accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake. hearing and see
ing the miracles which he did. Acts
8: o.
The death OF Stephen gave the enem-
les OF the Church abundant opportunity.
Death had silenccd one voice, II would
be potcnt 10 silence more. Saul saw an
opportunity to do great service IN de-
tending the old faith But the disciples
would not remain III Jerusalem and DC
slaughtered. They fled. Many towns
and villages received them. Nor ana
they 90 To be silent Everywhere they
told the story oi Christ, So that more
converts were made by the persecution
than could have been made III the same
time in Jerusalem That was Gods way
OF spreading 4 knowledge OF Jesus. IL
is always true
God moves in a mysterious way
Ills wonders to perform.
THE LESSON.
vs.. /. They that were scattered
abroad" These were disciples VINO
had been living until Stephens death
in the Christian community IN Jcru.
salem. They were not as yet called
Christians. but those OF that way.
The scattering was caused by SAUL
who was making havoc with the au-
thority 81 the chief priests and the hos
tile party.
Everywhere preaching That show,
the quality 81 these men. They would
preach the Gospel wherever they we're
no matter what happened.
vs.. :. Philip went down, etc.
Phiip was one OF the associates OF
Stephen He was one OF the seven
chosen to aid in the organized work
oi the company in Jerusalem Samarla
was an ancient city, long capita, Of the
northern Kingdom From the capital
city Of the southern Kingdom that once
was 90 the capital city of the northern
Kingdom went the fearless evangelist.
Two ccutrrs were reached thus.
vs. o. rhilip had the same wonder
FIJI power as Stephen THE people
gave heed" To give heed j., 70 great
tribute. The people saw and heard.
This man could do things lie Is
worth while. they though, They ~,
tened eagerly That Is what preacher,
long for now and cannot secure. II
was the miracle tina, caught mems at
tcn,iun But soul saved without "a
miracle tp win 1 is more hopeful than
the other kind
V : Three sort, ui miracles I'm.
clean ,urfi- were cast out PARALYSIS
and larrug-, were cured. II was Won
deriuI No wonder men gave heed
V s Great JOY OF course. JOY
among the friends ui those who were
healed lpy in the hearts ui the healed
themselves JOY in the souls OF those
who believed The best and greatest
JOY is that ui the soul ,hat is saved.
vs. o Simon lie VA, the ,urccrcr,
He was q practi,cr ui magic He did
sleighl-ui hand tricks He pretended
to be IN league with dcmon, Such
men can appeal 60 the ignorant and
Superstition, and lead them lar a,tray.
II IS a murcy making trade only. 1t
relic, "u ability to chca, aud gull the
simple
V. 10. They called him the great
power ni God" The Samarirane, rich
and poor alike. were iguoran, and
supcrstt'nus
vs. ~. lie was thoroughly intrcnch
ed n the superstition 81 the people.
lie had bcwitchcd them, the story says.
People bcw'tchcd are not apt Ia be
ready tu receive any other teacher.
When Philip began to de- wonderful
thgS the same bcwl,chcd Samari,anS
Thought here is greater power at
God There VA, probably ,upcrsti-
ton in that too, at first.
" - Here came the transition
and dcltycrancc from bcwitchmcnt. In
Verse q il Is said, with one accord
they gave heed In this verse We are
told they believed Belief is better
than attention The things they be
lievcd have Away, saved men These
were first. the doctrine 81 the Kingdom
OF God; second, the name 81 Jesus
Christ Then they were baptized
They had received the Gospel. That is
the very greatest thing man or n CITY
can ever do
vs. ~. This is singular verse. 81.
mon himself believed. He said he did
No one but the divine Spiri, can iull,
tell whether a man believes or not
Philip thought Simon was sincere. 81
mon Staid by watching. lie wondered
lie thought it was >urccry 81 Snr,
superior To- his
vs.. II. Now comes the test. All
the disciples and apostles had not been
frightened away from Jerusalem. Th,
news OF the great revival in Samaria
travelled even aS such news travels now
So the Church in Jerusalem heard III,
story. and il sent two 81 its leaders &c
see the wonderful thing. There wcr,
none better than Peter and John Ia .,
and sec this thing
Nss. IS 10 he first thing for ,bcs,
new disciples was Ia receive the IIol,
Ghost They had not yet They ha,
believed and were saved, il the belle
was true, but they needed the test oil
their belief. Unless the Holy Ghos,
should come upon them there woulc
be doubt whether their belief was z
real saving belief So Peter and Toh,
prayed. They knew how to pray, #
was a great thing To- be PRAYED for b,
Peter and John.
vs.. II The prayrr ,yor ,rsr.o-ot