The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-03-17

Copyright. 1916. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR MARCH 19
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.
LESSON TEXT-Acts S:26. 40.
GOLDEN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. thou
what thou readest?-Acts $50.
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 ". - and result
ed In a wider dissemination of the
good news " ~. Philip the deacon
went to Samaria where multitudes
heard n saw (vv. 5, 81 and where a
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
". 9-24). The apostles returned to
Jerusalem ". 25) leaving Philip to
continue his great revival in Samaria.
1. Divine Preparation. Wv. 26, 81 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. 1873. The Samaritan road
joined tho 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
prcselyte, having adopted their re-
ligion, and was returning from wor-
Shipping at Jerusalem.
II. DiIigent Study. " 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
Up 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. $3.50. This statesman gives us q
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 evange1-
list, seem to accept all of Isaiah with
out reservation. This method Of read
s~~ ef,1Svy Sc %ho 1ro fhof u,i11 cyvro1u
secure for us revelations from God.
III. Direct Instruction. ". 1895. 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 eco 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, if.
reconcilable. I'm his humiliation his
judgment Custice) was taken away
a fair trial not given; "his genera
tion who shall declare" Gam. R. W
i. e., his contemporaries who among
them considered that he was cut of
out of the land Of the living New
Cent. Bible). Prof. G. A. Smith has
declared hat none but prejudiced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy, known as the ifty-third OF
Isaiah, was fulfilled in Jesus of Naza.
reth, 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
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. 2:2O. The Importance of I'M
Outstanding 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
Gu dS SuASIluS LUZ Luc S1uS VI Olucls
than himself? ". 4, 5, 8, 9, II, 12)
and these others be my people, Il. e
Israeli verse eight.
Philip began" at that same poin,
of contact and preached Jesus" in
deed this chapter is full of Christ
Jesus is the central subject of al
Scripture. Philip explained the hu
initiation Of Christ and the glories o.
the Messiah's kingdom. There is nj
higher work than to help others to &
clearer vision.
~. Declared Faith. v. 36-4O. TIL.
eunuch had doubtless seen the rite o
baptism in Jerusalem and at the frs
opportunity he desired to make pub
lie his new found faith. Baptism i.
confession and a symbol (Rom. 6:1
g. and Immediately after the eunuch',
declaration of faith (v. 80 Philip a
once administered The rite. affe,