The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-03-18
LESSON FOR MARCH 10
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.

Beginning at verse four, chapter
eight. we enter upon the second great
division of the Book of the Acts. 1t
marks the beginning OF preaching out
side of Jerusalem and also the employ
ment of lay-preachers. The persecu-
ton OF the Jerusalem church was
chiefly led by Paul ". 81 and result
ed in a wider dissemination of the
good news " A.. Philip the deacon
went to Samaria where multitudes
heard and saw wv. s, 81 and where
remarkable work of grace attended
his dealing with Simon Magnus, who
thought he could buy the gift Of the
holy Spirit bestowed by the apostles
". 9-2D. The apostles returned to
Jerusalem ". 25) leaving Philip to
continue his great revival In Samaria.
l. Divine Preparation. w. &c, ~ 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-
Shipping at Jerusalem.
ii. DiIigent Study. v. 1928. Philip
overheard this high official as he was
reading aloud from the prophecy by
Isaiah, probably from the Greek
translation. The Spirit directed Phil
ftp 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,
most simple and practical illustration
". 20 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-
ist, 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. II 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.
It is true that this passage from the
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscure
and, apart from Jesus of Nazareth, IT.
.reconcilable. in his humiliation his
judgment (justice) was taken away
fair trial not given; his genera
ton who shall declare" Gam. R. W
1. e., his contemporaries who among
them considered that he was cut of
out Of the land of the living New
declared that none but prejudiced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy, known as the fifty-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 1925; 1913;
/ Jno. 2:2O. The importance of I'M
derstanding is great Matt 1919,
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
dels 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, 8, s, 9, II, 12)
and these others be my people" q. e.
IsraeD 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
milission 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. 36-4O. The
eunuch had doubtless seen the rite of
baptism in Jerusalem and at the first
opportunity he desired to make pub
lie his new found faith. Baptism is
confession and symbol (Rom. Gil
81 and Immediately after the eunuch's
declaration of faith ". 80 Philip at
once administered the rite, after
which, his work being done, Philip is
whisked away while the eunuch Jour-
neyed on rejoicing"
These two men were total strangers,
yet this wayside conversation gains
one who must have heralded far the
Gospel as he witnessed along his jour
ney and in his home land
Philip made Caesarea his home and
twenty years later met Paul in that
city (Acts 21:S).
Philip worked without the machin-