Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-01-30

bhoooN iEAI-ActS Ni-EO,
GOLDEN TEXT-Ye shall be witnesse
unto me both In Jerusalem, and In al
Judea, and In Samaria, and unto the ut
termost part OF the earth-Acts is,
ADDITIONAL MATERlAI4-II King
F'A-3l; Luke lO:3S-35: John 4:l-42.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Telling Others Abou
Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIc-Peter and John In Z
Strange City.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR Tor
IC-Three Missionaries and Their Tri
umphs.
|. Preaching the Word Everywhere
". ~.
After the stoning Of Stephen the
enemies Of the Lord were more active
than ever in their efforts to stamp
out the new faith. With Saul as their
leader they rushed back to the city,
dragged from their homes and I'M
prisoned those who confessed Christ.
In this the devil oyerreached himself,
for the believers took flight and went
everywhere preaching the word. The
time had come for the witnessbe bearing
to extend beyond Jerusalem and Jul
dea. Preaching was not confined to
the twelve. The Lord thus makes the
devils wickedness to further his own
purpose, Frequently, In the hour Of
trial, Christians see more clearly their
duty and beStir themselves to perform
1t. If Christians will not move on,
the Lord will shove them on.
II. Philip Preaching the Gospel In
samaria. wv. 5-13).
Hitherto the gospel had reached
only Jews: now its scope broadens
and jew is preaching to Samartans,
and Samaritans are rejoicing in the
gospel of Christ proclaimed by Jew.
His preaching was fruitful for multi
tudes believed his message. Much JOY
In this Samaritan city followed the re-
ceptlon Of the message. 1t is always
thus; the gospel is good tidings of
great joy" duke 2:10). Both Samar-
ltans and Jews were looking for
Christ, so they were glad to know that
the Christ had come. Chnst is the
one name and person who viii break
down race prejudice. In him there
is unity aid real brotherhood. for he
Is the universal man. The only hope
Of the world is Christ.
So great was Philips success that
Simon Magnus professed faith and was
baptized. Simon was a sorcerer who
by magical devices had made a great
reputation, gaining control of many
of the credulous and ignorant, so that
they regarded him as some great one
from God ". 100. The people turned
from this sorcerer to the gospel Of
Christ.
III. Peter and John Sent to Samar.
la tvv. l4-17).
The church at Jerusalem sent two
Of Its best men TO encourage the work.
They discerned that the Spirit had not
yet fallen upon the believers, so they
laid hands upon them and the Spirit
was given unto them. These Samari-
fans were really converted, regener-
nted, but had not yet been filled with
the Spirits gift. Believers should
seek the Spirits gift at once, for this
will exclude the interests Of the world.
The mission Of Peter and John shows
he unity Of the church-the mother
church gave sanction to the new work
n Samaria. Much of the work of the
modern evangelist is failure be-
'ause 1t Is not properly followed up
~ those who will instruct and bring
he converts into relationship with the
living church. The interval OF time
which elapsed between the baptism
md the reception of the gift Of the
Spirit. In the case Of these Samari-
ans. Is no warrant for the Second
blessing" Idea. for under right infu-
nee and teaching the believer should
It once enter into the fulness and JOY
# salvation.
~. slmon's Wicked Request wv.
S-24).
When Simon saw that the power Of
'eter exceeded that which he pos
essed and that 1t was received
through the laying on Of hands, he Of
cred money for the gift This act re-
eals the hypocrisy OF this man. He
rofessed faith and was baptized, fol.
owing after them for selfish end.
% desire and seek the gift of the Spir-
for selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is to be
uilty of Simons sin. All traffic in
aered things has been called Isl
lony." from the name of this sorcer-
r. Peter told Simon that he had
either part nor lot In this matter,
hat he should repent of his wicked
ess and pray to God for forgiveness.
lie requested Peter TO pray for him.
We do not know whether he repented
r not. We need not be surprised that
Asses ofshypocrlsy should develop at
mes of great revival; indeed we may
xpect them.
Simon practiced the art of sorcery
,r gain and influence. Now that he
)und his profits diminishing and his
ltluence waning. he endeavored to &C.
uire new power. All persons who
Sc their religion to further their am
tions to get gain are guilty of this
n. Sometimes men join the church
,r business, social, and political rea-
ms; sometimes official positions are
,veted for the prestige and power
ley give Let all who are using the
ame of the church for business pur-
,ses be warned by Peters rebuke
ct Simon's doom be solemn warn.
g to all
----------------~