The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-02-27
The Gospel
in Samaria
Sunday School Lesson for Feb. Is, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper

which Philip spake. hearing the miracles
which he did.-Acts Sc
TIMES or 81 A. d. Immediately aft
or the martyrdom of Stephen (our 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 Samaria. either Samaria or
Sychar.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
L. There was a 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
church." r. ", laid waste" AS an
army devastates the country it over
runs, or as wild beasts ravage a gar
den. or field of grain, or a pasture
when they destroy the sheep. Paul's
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 il. These scat
tered Christians were like brands of
fire, kindiing new fire wherever she
storm carried them.
Philip here is not the apostle
Philip, but Philip the deacon (Acts
81 and evangelist (Acts 21:S). He
preached in Samaria, met Simon
Magus, brought the Ethiopian eunuch
to Christ. went on evangelizing the
till he reached Cesarea, where
he eventually took up his abode. Here
he had four virgin daughters who
and entertained Paul on
one OF his journeys to Jerusalem.
He was, If 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 by being filed with the Holy
Spirit, and trained under the apostles.
The Sunday school teacher can be
made an ideal teacher in the same
way. Il have often wished" ex-
claimed Alexander Whyte, the wonder
ful pastor and teacher of Free st.
Georges church of Edinboro. that ! /
could have been one of the two EN-
naus men whose hearts burned within
them as their risen Lord expounded |
unto them in all the Scriptures the
-hings concerning himself" So does
the teacher wish, and he may have
his wish fulfilled.
V. IA. The apostles sent unto |
hem 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. IL. Prayed for them i
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
lame and speaking with tongues, a.
well as the inward grace and power,
which characterized Pentecost six |
Years before, as appears from Simon's |
request.
The special reasons for this gin |
we're much the same az on its first be- |
'towal at Pentecost ID It ex.
pressed clearly the inward grace and
power. so that those who received It. |
and all others, might realize the fact |
Of the unseen sift, as the spark or the
lightning reveals the presence Of cleo.
ITCHY. VI The new church, under /
lew circumstances, needed the power,
md gifts, and fresh life bestowed. ca
L proved to the Jewish disciples. and
to the church at Jerusalem,
hat the Samaritan movement was
rom God, and approved by the Saviour
md Master.
V. IS. Simon offered them /
to purchase from the apostles
he power they themselves possessed.
Note 1. From this action of Simon
lis name has won immortality of in
amy, since the crime of Simony il
amed after him.
Note 2. The best gifts cannot be
fought with money-wisdom, love,
'eace, new hearts, character, spiritual
'ower. The best things of God are
rec to all men, like air and sunshine
nd water, as the most beautiful forms