Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-17
DIR. MARION NH. HULL.

The persecution following the death
salem and began widening the circle
which reached eventually to us and which
is today reaching to the remotest corner
of the world. Witnesses bore testimony
in the villages of Judea and Philip went
as far as Samaria. 1t is significant that
Philip the Greek deacon was the one to
carry the gospel to Samaria rather than
one of the native Jews. because of the
intense race hatred between Jews and
Samaritans.
Philip did not waste time with phi
losophies, but preached Christ and the
things concerning the kingdom of God.
The Samaritans were looking for the
coming of the Messiah, and Philips
message was just this, THE Messiah has
come in the person of Jesus of Naza-
reth.'' 1t is also significant that this
is the first reference to the kingdom
since the ascension of Christ. The
kingdom was larger than the Jewish
church, and it begins to be mentioned
now that the gospel has gone beyond the
borders of JnaI church.
As result of Philips preaching there
was a mass movement towards Chris
tianity. The people heard and believed
what Philip had to say. The miracles
which he wrought added their testimony
to his words, for the demon-possessed
were relieved and the lame walked.
There was great Joy.
So great was the success of Philips
work that even the wonder-worker Won
dered. Simon, in Samaria, had played
upon the credulity of the people, allow
ing them to think him the power of
God which is called great. BY a series
Of chemical reactions, by legerdemain,
and by certain philosophy, which rec
ognized God to some extent, he fooled
Samaritans and extracted money from
them. But false faith fades in the
presence of truth.
THE TWO BAPTIsMS.
Soon the news of the wonderful Sa-
maritan revival under Philip reached
the ears of the apostles at Jerusalem.
Their attitude was noble They showed
an open mind, without jealousy. They
dispatched Peter and John to investigate,
who found conditions entirely satisfac-
tory, but that the Samaritans had been
only baptized into the name or Jesus
and had not received the Holy Spirit
They prayed for them, laid their hands
upon them, and to the Samaritans also
was given the same manifestation Of
the spirits presence as they themselves
| had received.
That Simon's faith was infantile is
revealed by his offer of money to the
apostles, and their reply revealed the
same thing. You do not understand
the situation said Peter to him. I'VE
have not power to transmit this gift
of God to you, much less TO sell it 10
you You are a bitter pill and source
of evil in the church. Pray God that
the thought of your heart many be for
given"
The work having been completed the
Samaria the apostles left for Jerusa-
lem The apostles. being Palestlnlan
Jews, on their way back to Jerusalem,
stopped in the villages of Samaria and
peached to the Samaritans. Who would
have thought that such change could
have taken place?
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH.
The work in Samaria completed, Phil
lie was wondering what he should do
next. A mao who has obeyed God is
| ready to receive another revelation from
| Him, and so an angel, Gods messenger,
answered him. go south on the road
| from Jerusalem to GAIA (the desert
road)." That sounded like strange
| instruction, but it was not Philip to
question. The man who implicitly obeys
| God soon finds out His plan for him.
Before long Philip came in contact with
| a man who needed him. IL was the man
| to whom God had sent him.
This man was an Ethiopian eunuch,