Middletown transcript., 1916-03-18
LESSON FOR MARCH 10
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.

MARKS the beginning OF preaching OUt
side of Jerusalem and also the employ
ment of lay-preachers. The persecu
ton of the Jerusalem church wa
chiefly led by Paul ". 81 and result
ed in a wider dissemination of thr
good news " A.. Philip the deacon
went to Samaria where multitude,
heard and saw wv. 5, 81 and where
remarkable work of grace attended
his dealing with EiS:cN Magnus, WHIT
thought he could buy the gift of the
Holy Spirit bestowed by the apostle:
". 9-24). The apostles returned tt
Jerusalem ". 25) leaving Philip tt
continue his great revival in Samaria
l. Divine Preparation. w. 26, q a
The marvellous way God leads us;
ways we do not comprehend, to &C
complish his great designs is nowhere
better illustrated than here Philips
work would seem to demand his undi
vided and personal supervision, but
he exhibits his superior wisdom by at
once obeying this new command
(Heb. 11:8). The Samaritan road
Joined the great Jerusalem highway
to Egypt in the midst of uncultivated
pasture land. Philip carried sealed
orders" and as he came to GAIA he
met this man from the region south
Of Egypt, who was probably a Jewish
proselyte. having adopted their re-
| ligion, and was returning from wor-
shining at Tnr11saIan0
II. DiIigent Study. v. 1929. Philip
overheard this high official as he was
reading aloud from the prophecy by
| Isaiah, probably from the Greek
translation. The Spirit directed Phil
ip to join himself to this evidently
honest inquirer, not because of his
wealth and position but because he
was a seeker after truth John 7:17,
Ps. 25:9). This statesman gives US a
most simple and practical illustration
". % r. W of how to study the Bible
and to improve the time occupied in
travelling. Both Luke, who wrote the
Book of Acts, and Philip, the evangel-
fst, seem to accept all of Isaiah with
out reservation. This method of read
ing study is the one that will surely
secure for us revelations from God.
III. Direct Instruction. v. 30-35. We
do not advocate indiscriminate assault
upon every passing stranger in our
desire to do personal work. Philip
took each step as directed by the Holy
Spirit. If we are attuned to the Spir-
it's Small voice" we will surely hear
his "Go near" which will send us to
those whom we may win for Christ.
L is true that this passage from the
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscure
and, apart from Jesus of Nazareth, ir-
reconcilable. I'm his humiliation his
Judgment (justice) was taken away
a fair trial not given; his genera
tion who shall declare" Gam. R. w.
1. e., his contemporaries who among
them considered that he was cut off
out Of the land Of the living New
Cent. Bible). Prof G. A. Smith has
declared that none but prejudiced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy, known as the f1fty-third of
Isaiah, was fulfilled in Jesus Of Naza-
reth, and achieved all of its details in
him alone" Philips question was a
pertinent one; good for this present
time, and the eunuch's reply was
much more frank than many pro-
fessed Christians of today would be
willing to admit. We have one who |
is ready to guide even as God met |
this rulers need John 1926; 1913; |
1 Jno. 2:27. The Importance of un- |
derstanding is great Matt. 1879, |
1920, 24:15). The two portraits here |
presented of the Messiah are seeming
ly irreconcilable and are still a great |
puzzle to the Jews. Prince of
Peace, despised and rejected; Suffer
ing Savior, King eternal; there are
many such seeming paradoXes. Inf
deIs and rationalists have propounded
such theories as suffering Israel"
but how can the sufferer be represent
ed as suffering for the sins of others
than himself? ". 4, 5, s, 8, IL, 12)
and these others be my people e. 9.
Israeli verse eight.
Philip began at that same point
Of contact and preached Jesus" in
deed this chapter is full of Christ.
Jesus is the central subject of all
Scripture. Philip explained the hui
initiation of Christ and the glories of
The Messiah's kingdom. There is no
higher work than to help others to a
clearer vision.
w. Declared Faith. v. 36-40. The
sunuch had doubtless seen the rite of
baptism in Jerusalem and at the first
he desired to make pub
ic his new found faith. Baptism is
confession and a symbol from. 6:1.
y and Immediately after the eunuch's
declaration of faith ". 37) Philip at
)nce administered the rite, after
which, his work being done, Philip is
Whisked away while the eunuch jour
Keyed on rejoicing"
These two men were total strangers,
ret this wayside conversation gains
me who must have heralded far the
zospel as he witnessed along his jour
ley and in his home land.
Philip made Caesarea his home and
wenty years later met Paul in that
.ity (Acts 21:S).
Philip worked without the machin- ,
ry of an organized movement" and
without any emphasis upon
he offering.
Do we look for the Spirits personal
eadings? :
Are we ready for every opportunity? ;
Can we tell men the way of life,
oW to become a Christian?
How many Sunday school teachers