The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-03-16

Beginning at verse four, chapter
eight, we enter upon the second great
n 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 persecu-
ton of the Jerusalem church was
chiefly led by Paul ". 81 and result
ed in a wider dissemination. of the
good news " ~. Philip the deacon
went to Samaria where multitudes
heard and saw wv. S, 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.
I Divine Preparation. Wv. 26, 27 a.
The marvellous way God leads us;
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
% 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
If Egypt, who was probably Jewish
proselyte, having adopted their re-
Ci0
Shipping at Jerusalem.
II. DiIigent Study. v. 27-29. Philip
overheard this high Official as he was
'eading aloud from the prophecy by
isaiah, probably from the Greek
translation. The Spirit directed Phil
p to join himself to this evidently
lonest inquirer. not because of his
wealth and position but because he
vas a seeker after truth John TIT,
3s. 25:9). This statesman gives US a
most simple and practical illustration
". % R. W of how to study the Bible
md 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 |
tut reservation. This method Of read
ng study is the one that will surely |
'ecure for us revelations from God.
III. Direct instruction. v. 30-35. We
10 not advocate indiscriminate assault
1pon every passing stranger in our
1esire to do personal work Philip
.ook each step as directed by the Holy
Spirit If we are attuned to the Spir-
is small voice" we will surely hear
~ ~, Ill
hose whom we may win for Christ.
t is true that this passage from the
prophet Isaiah is somewhat obscure
md, apart from Jesus of Nazareth, ir-
"In his humiliation his
Judgment Cjustice) was taken away
! fair trial not given; his genera
ion who shall declare" Gam. r. W
: e., his contemporaries who among
hem considered that he was cut off
out of the land Of the living New
Cent. Bible). Prof G.. A. Smith has
declared that none but prejudiced
Jews have ever denied that this great
prophecy, known as the fifty-third Of
saiah, was fulfilled in Jesus Of Naza>
eth, and achieved all Of it's details in
lin alone" Philips question was
pertinent one; good for this present
ime, and the eunuchs reply was
much more frank than many pro- :
essed Christians of today would be
Wiling to admit. We have one who
S ready to guide even as God met
his rulers need John 1925; 1913;
Jno. 2:2O. The Importance of un-
erstanding is great Matt. 1919,
500, 24:15). The two portraits here
resented of the Messiah are seeming
Y irrecOncilable and are still a great
uzZle to the Jews. Prince Of
'eace, despised and rejected; Suffer
ng Savior, King eternal; there are
lany such seeming paradoxes.
w. Declared Faith. " 36-40. The
much had doubtless seen the rite of
aptism in Jerusalem and at the first
pportunity he desired to make pub
c his new found faith. Baptism is
onfession and a symbol (Rom. 6:1-
and Immediately after the eunuch's
eclaration of faith (v. 80 Philip at
nee administered the rite, after
'hich, his work being done, Philip is
'hisked away while the eunuch jour-
eyed on ''rejoicing.'
These two men were total strangers, |
ct this wayside conversation gains /
ne who must have heralded far the |
ospel as he witnessed along his jour- II
ey and in his home land
Philip made Caesarea his home and Il
wenty years later met Paul in that II
lty (Acts 21:8).
Philip worked without the machin II
~ of an ''organized movement" and II
vidently without any emphasis upon II
1e Offering II
Do we look for the Spirits personal III
III