Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-01-29
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY l
pErER AND JOHN IN sAMARIA.

Clay be used with missionary applica-
tions)
LESSON TEXT-Acts S:4-25.
GOLDEN TEXT-Ye shall be witnesses
unto me both in Jerusalem. and in all
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the ut
termost part of the earth.-Acts 1:8-
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-II Kings
! 17:24-31; Luke 10:33-35 John 4:1-42
PRIMARY TOPIC-Telling Others oout
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Peter and John in a
Strange City.
|. INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
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,
4 dragged from their homes and i'm
prisoned those who confessed Christ.
In this the devil overreached himself,
for the believers took fight and went
everywhere preaching the word. The
time had come for the witness.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
| it. If Christians will not move on.
! the Lord will shove them on.
H. 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 Samaritans,
/ and Samartans 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-
| ception of the message. Both Samar-
itans and Jews were looking for
! Christ, so they were glad to know that
! the Christ had come. Christ is the
| one name and person who will break
down race prejudice. In him there
| is unity and 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
i by magical devices had made great
reputation, gaining control of many
! of the credulous and ignorant, so that
| they regarded him as some great one
from God ". 10Y. The people turned
/ from this sorcerer to the gospel of
| Christ,
| nj. Peter and John Sent to samar-
! ia wv. HID.
The church at Jerusalem sent two
of Its best men to encourage the work.
They discerned that the Spirit had not
vet fallen upon the believers, so they
laid hands upon them and the Spirit
was given unto them. These Samari-
tans were really converted regener
ated, but had not yet been filed with
the Spirits gift Believers should
seek the Spirits gift at once. for this
Wal exclude the interests Of the world.
The mission of Peter and John shows
the unity of the chureh--the mother
church gave sanction to the new work
in Samaria. Much of the work of the
modern evangelist is failure be-
cause 1t is not properly followed up
by those who will instruct and bring
the converts into relationship with the
living church.
~. simon's Wicked Request wv.
1920
When Simon saw that the power of
Peter exceeded that which he pos
sessed and that it was received
through the laying on of hands, he Of
fered money for the gift This act re-
veals the hypocrisy of this man. He
professed faith and was baptized fol-
lowing after them for selfish end.
To desire and seek the gift of the Spir-
1t for selfish ACKNOWLEDGMENT is 10 be
guilty of Simon's sin. All traffic in
sacred things has been called Isl
mony" from the name of this sorcer-
er. Peter told Simon that he had
neither part nor lot in this matter.
that he should repent Of his wicked
ness and pray to God for forgiveness.
He requested Peter to pray for him.
SiAon practiced the art of sorcery
for gain and influence. Now that he
found his profits diminishing and his
influence waning. he endeavored to ac-
quire new power. All persons who
use their religion to further their ann
billions to get gain are guilty Of this
Z sin. Sometimes men Join the church
A for business social and political rea-
! sons; sometimes Official positions are
i coveted for the prestige and power
/ they give. Let all who are using the
/ name of the church for business pur-
/ poses be warned Ivy Peters rebuke !
I Let Simons doom be solemn warn
ing to all