Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-03-17

what thou readest ?-Acts $50.
Beginning at verse four, chapter
eight, we enter upon the second great
division of the Book of the Acts. II
marks the beginning of preaching out.
side of Jerusalem and also the employ.
ment of lay-preachers. The persecu.
tion of the Jerusalem church was
chiefly led by Paul (v. 81 and result
ed in a wider dissemination of the
good news " A.. Philip the deacon
went to Samaria where multitudes
heard and saw (vv. 5, 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
w. 9-24). The apostles returned to
Jerusalem ". 25) leaving Philip to
continue his great revival in Sanaria.
|. Divine Preparation. Wv. 26, 27 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 Jewish
proselyte. having adopted their re
iigion, and was returning from wor
Shipping at Jerusalem.
II. DiIigent Study. v. 27-29. 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 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
list, 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 oul
desire to do personal work. Philil
took each stel as directed by the Hol!
Spirit. If we are attuned to the Spir
it's small voice" we will surely hea
his go near" which will send us tt
those whom we may win for Christ
1t is true that this passage from tn
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscur
and, apart from Jesus of Nazareth il
reconcilable. I'm his humiliation hi
judgment justice) was taken away
fair trial not given; his genera
tion who shall declare" (Am. R. v.
i. e., his contemporaries who anon
them considered that he was cut Of
out of the land of the living (Ne,
Cent Bible). Prof G. A Smith ha
declared that none but prejudice
Jews have ever denied that this grea
prophecy, known as the ffty-third {
Isaiah, was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazs
reth, and achieved all of it's details i
him alone" Philips question was
pertinent one; good for this preser
time, and the eunuch's reply wa
much more frank than many pr,
fessed Christians of today would b
willing to admit We have one VIII
is ready to guide even as God mt
this rulers need John 1925; 16: 13
1 Jno 2:20. The Importance of III
derstanding is great Matt 13: l.
1920, 24:15. The two portraits her
presented of the Messiah are seemin
ly irreconcilable and are still gres
puzzle to the Jews. Prince {
Peace, despised and rejected; Suffe
ing Savior, King eternal; there al
many such seeming paradoxes. In
dels and rationalists have propounde
such theories as suffering Israel
but how can the sufferer be represen
ed as suffering for the sins of othel
, than himself? ". 4, 5, s, 9, II, 1.
; and these others be my people q.
; Israeli verse eight.
Philip began" at that same poll
:. of contact and preached Jesus" i
, deed this chapter is full of Chris
Jesus is the central subject of a
; Scripture. Philip explained the h
, initiation of Christ and the glories
the Messiah's kingdom. There is l
higher work than to help others to
clearer vision.
: ". Declared Faith. v. 36-40. tt
q eunuch had doubtless seen the rite
y baptism in Jerusalem and at the fir
. opportunity he desired to make pu
, lie his new found faith Baptism
confession and a symbol (Rom. 6:
g. and Immediately after the eunuct
, declaration of faith ". 80 Philip
: once administered the rite, aft
which, his work being done, Philip
i, whisl1ed away while the eunuch jo,
: neyed on rejoicing"
! These two men were total stranger
yet this wayside conversation gal
one who must have heralded far t
), Gospel as he witnessed along his 10,
> ney and in his home land
Philip made Caesarea his home a,
twenty years later met Paul in til
a city (Acts 21:S).
y. Philip worked without the mach
cry of an organized movement" a
evidently without any emphasis up
% the offering.
s Do we look for the Spirits person
l. leadings?
o. Are we ready for every opportunit
t. Can we tell men the way of Ii
@ how to become a Christian?
Is How many Sunday school teache
8. can intelligently use the word of G
m in answering the inquiry, What MI
m do to be saved?'
Ot ---------------
g Need That Is Greatest.
Only as the impulse toward sery
takes the place of the desire for sal
n ton do we become truly saved.