Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-27
The Gospel
in Samaria
S.sdsy Sehool Lessa- Tor FEB. Is, 1903
Specially Arranged for This Paper

LESSON TEXT.--Acts s;lf-25 Memory
verses "a. u.
accord gave heed unto those things
which Philip spake. hearing the miracles
which he did-ACts Sc
TINES OF g. a. ID Immediately aft
er the martyrdom Of Stephen (our last
lesson). The church has been Ia exist
ence about six years. with rapid gEo.. IA
and varied experiences.
PLACE.-Jerusalem. and some chief
city OF Ssmaria. either Sam8ria OF
Sychar.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
l. 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 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
20 Rome for trial. followed soon by the
death OF Emperor Tiberius. gave an
opportunity for the Jewish leaders TO
carry on their prosecutions
Y. 2. saul . made havoc OF the
church" r. V. laid waste" As an
army devsstates the country &c over
runs. or as Wild beasts ravage gar
den. or Geld OF grain. or pasture
when they destroy the sheep. PauTs
own statement confirms this descrip-
ton
4. They were scattered abroad"
As seed scattered fin al directions by
the farmer sowing bis field broadcast.
They went through Ssmaria. Galilee.
and as Far as phoenicis. Antioch and
Cyprus. Preaching the word" Every
seed had life in 81 and took root and
made a new plant. wherever the winds
OF persecution blew IT, These scat
tered Christians we're IKE brands OF
IRE, hndling n new FIRE wherever the
storm carried them.
Philip here Is not the apostle
Philip. but Philip the deacon (Acts
$50 and evangelist (Acts 21:s). He
preached in Samaria. met Simon
Magus. brought the Ethiopian eunuch
70 Christ. went on evangeizing 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 20 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 by being hlled 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-
maus men whose hearts burned within
them as their risen Lord sxpounded
unto them In all the Scriptures the
things concerning himself" So does
the teacher wish, and be may have
his wish fulfilled.
v. IL. The apostles sent unto
them Peter and John" Not as rulers.
but as 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 9: 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
name 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
wsre much the same as on its first be
lstow1 at Pentecost. % II 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
'trteity. (2) The new church. under
new circumstances. needed the power,
and gifts. and fresh life bestowed. az
II proved 10 the Jewish disciples. and
especially TO the church at Jerusalem.
that the Samaritan movement WIS
rom 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. Prom this action of Simon
his name has won immortality OF an
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 thinl
we ought TO send missionaries to argue
down the infidels What did philir
DO? He preached Christ Philip die
not argue down Simon. he super
seeded him The daylight does no
argue with the artificial light The
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