The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-17

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Division Of the Book OF the Acts. It
marks the beginning OF preaching out
side Of Jerusalem and also the employ
ment OF lay.preachers. The peFsecu
lion OF the jerusalem church was
chiefly led by Paul ". 81 and result
I'd In a wider dissemination OF the
GOOD news va. Philip the deacon
went to samaria where multitudes
heard and saw wv. 5, 81 and where
remarkable work OF grace attended
bis dealing with Simon Magnus who
thought he could buy the gift Of the
holy Spirit bestowed by the apostles
Inv. 9-24). Tho apostles returned to
Jerusalem ". 25) leaving Philip to
continue his great revival in samaria.
I. Divine Preparation. w. &c, q a.
The marvellous way God leads US;
ways we do not comprehend, to &C.
tomplish his great designs is nowhere
better illustrated than here. Philips
work would seem to demand his undt'
rlded and personal supervision, but
be- exhibits his superior wisdom by at
once obeying this new command
tHeb. 11:s). The Samaritan road
Joined the great Jerusalem highway
10 Egypt in +he midst Of uncultivated
pasture land. Philip carried sealed
prders" and as he came to GAIA he
met this man from the region south
II Egypt, who was probably q Jewish
proselyte, having adopted their re.
lieion. and was returning from wor-
thiping at Jerusalem. I'll
II. plIlsent study. '. 27-2e. Philip
overheard this high official as he was
reading aloud from the prophecy by
isaiah. probably from tho Greek
translation. The Spirit directed Phil.
b to join himself to this evidently
honest inquirer, not because OF his
Wealth and position but because he
Ras seeker after truth (John 7:17,
Pc. $500. This statesman gives US o
most simple and practical illustration
". % r. W Of how to study the Bible
ind to improve the time occupied in
travelling. Both Luke, who wrote the
Book of Acts, and Philip, the evangel.
st, seem to accept all Of Isaiah with.
lut reservation. This method OF read
hg study is the one that will surely
tecure for US revelations from God.
III. Direct Instruction. v. 3o.95. We
10 not advocate unfortunate assault
kpon every passing stranger in our
aesire to do personal work. Philip
look each step as directed By the Holy
Spirit. II we are attuned to the spir-
t's small voice" we will surely hear
his "Go near" which will send US to
hose whom we may win for Christ.
L is true that this passage from the
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscure
ind, apart from Jesus OF Nazareth IT.
seconcilab1e. "1n his humiliation hia
Judgment (justice) was taken away
| fair trial not given; "his genera.
lion who shaI declare" Gam. R. VI
|. g., his contemporaries who among
Them considered that he was cut on
out Of the land OF the living New
Gent. Bible). Prof q. A. Smith has
declared that none but prejudlced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy, known as the fifty.third Of
Isaiah, was fulfilled in Jesus Of Naza.
seth, and achieved all of it's 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-
lessed Christians Of today would be
Wiling to admit. We have one who
10 ready to guide even as God met
Ibis rulers need John 1925; 1918;
| tno. $500. The Importance OF un.
aerstanding is great (Matt. 1919,
t5:20, 24:16). The two portraits here
presented OF the Messiah a seeming
V 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.
W, peeIafed Faith. v. ss-4o. The
sunuch had doubtless seen the rite Of
baptism IN Jerusalem and at the first
opportunity he desired to make pub
| llc his new found faith. Baptism Is
confession and a symbol (Rom. e:1-
- and Immediately afta Ahe eunuch's
aeclar -tion Of faith ". 80 Philip at
nnce 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 hera1ded far the
Gospel es he witnessed along his Jour
uey ana IN his home land. 6
Z, phiIip made oaesarea his homo and
twenty years later met Paul in that
city tActs at:s).
ph!lip worked without the machine
cry Of an organized movement" and
evidently without any emphasis upon
the offering.
20 No look for the Spirits personal
leStingH7 VIZ
Are we ready for every opportunlty7
/ Can we tell men tho way Of lie,
how 70 become o Christian?
How many Sunday school teachers
can int diligently use tho word Of God
4 IN answering the inquiry, ''What must
i n Al In bp saved ~ 76