The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-03-16
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. II
marks the beginning OF preaching out
side Of Jerusalem and also the employ.
ment OF iay.preachers. The persecu.
ton Of the Jerusalem church was
chiefly led BY Paul ". ~ and result.
cd In q wider dissemination of the
good news " ~. Philip the deacon
vent to Samaria where multitudes
heard and saw wv. 6. 81 and where .
remarkable work Of grace attended
his dealing with Simon Masnus. who
thought he could buy the gin Of the
Holy Spirit bestowed by the apostles
". s-2D. The apostles returned to
l Jerussism ". 2s) leaving Philip to
continue his great revival In samaria.
I. Divine prsparstIoo. w. rs. 81 ..
The marvellous way God leads US;
ways We DO not comprehend. to &C
complish his great designs 10 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 obcying this new command
Heb. lI;O. The Samaritan road
Joined the great jerusalem highway
TO Egypt In the midst OF uncultivated
pasture land. Philip carried sealed
orders" and - he came to Cana he
met this man from the region south
OF Egypt. who was probably Q Jewish
proselyte. having adopted their re-
ligion. and was returning from wor-
shipping at Jerusalem.
n. pIiIssnt study. " 1929. Philip
overheard this high oficial as he was
reading aloud from the prophecy by
Isaiah. probably from the Greek
translation. The Spirit directed Phil
70 to Join himself to this evidently
honest inquirer. not because OF his
wealth and position but because he
was q seeker after truth John 1911.
Ps. $3.50. This statesman gives US .
most simple and practical illustration
". IS 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 our
desire to do personal work. Philip
took each step as directed by the Holy
Spirit. n 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.
II Ia true that this passage from the
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscure
and. apart from Jesus OF Nazareth. ir'
reconcilable. In his humiliation his
Judgment (justiceD was taken away
q fair trial not given; his genera.
ton who shall declare" Gam. r. W
l. g.. his contemporaries who smong
them considered that he was cut on
out OF the land OF the living New
Cent. Bibiel. Prof @. A. Smith has
declared that none but pretudiced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy. known as the fifty.third OF
Isaiah. was fulfilled in Jesus OF Nsza
reth, and achieved all Of its details In
him alone" Philips question was q
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 10 admit We have one who
Is ready to guide even as God met
this rulers need John 1895; 1913:
I Jno. 2:20. The importance OF un
derstanding is great Matt. 1919
1920. 24;l5). The two portraits here
presented OF the Messiah are seeming
" irreconcilable and are still a great
puzzle to the Jews. Prince ol
Peace, despised and rejected; Suffer
ing Savior, King eternal; there are
many such seeming paradoxes.
= Nv. 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 1!
confession and a symbol rom. 6; |
81 and Immediately after the eunuch''
declaration OF faith ". sd Philip a
once administered the rite, aftel
which. his work being done. Philip II
whisked away while the eunuch jour
neyed on rejoicing"
These two men we're total strangers
yet this wayside conversation gain
one who must have heralded far thu
Gospel as he witnessed along his jour
ney and In his home land.
Philip made Caesarea his home ant
twenty years later met Paul In tina
city (Acts 2i:S).
Philip worked without the machin
cry OF an organized movement AM
evidently without any emphasis upol
the Offering.
DO we look for the Spirits persona
leadings?
Are we ready for every opportunity
Can We tell men the way OF life
how TO become a Christian
How many Sunday school teacher
can intelligently use the word OF Go
In answering the inquiry, What mus
] do to be ssved3"