The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-01-31

unto me both in Jerusalem, and in al
Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the ut.
termost part of the earth.-Acts is.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-II King;
lI:A-3l; Luke 1o:S3-35: John 4:l-42.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Telling Others About
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Peter and John in q
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 theii
leader they rushed back to the city
dragged from their homes and i'm
prisoned those who confessed Christ
In this the devil overreached himself
for the believers took flight and went
everywhere preaching the word. The
time had come for the wltnessbearins
to extend beyond Jerusalem and Ju
dea. Preaching was not confined tc
the twelve. The Lord thus makes the
devils wickedness to further his OWL
purpose. Frequently, in the hour OF
trial, Christians see more clearly theiI
duty and bestir themselves to perform
it. If Christians will not move on
the Lord will shove them on.
~. 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 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
ception of the message. 1t is always
thus; the gospel is good tidings OF
great joy" duke 2:1O). Both Samar
itans and Jews were looking fol
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
Unity ICtl LOA 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 grea'
reputation. gaining control of many
Of the credulous and ignorant, so tina
they regarded him as some great one
from God ". 10Y. The people turned
from this sorcerer to the gospel OF
Christ.
~. Peter and John Sent to Samar
ia tvv. 14-1D.
The church at Jerusalem sent two
Of its best men to encourage the work
They discerned. that the Spirit had no
yet fallen upon the believers. so the!
laid hands upon them and the Spiri
was given unto them. These Samari
tans were really converted. regener
ated, but had not yet been filed will
the Spirits gift. Believers SHOULD
seek the Spirits gift at once. for thi!
will exclude the interests of the world
The mission of Peter and John shows
the unity Of the church-the mother
church gave sanction to the new worl
in Samaria. Much of the work of thu
modern evangelist is a failure be
cause II Is not properly followed NJ
by those who will instruct and brin,
the converts into relationship with tn,
living church. The interval Of tim
which elapsed between the baptism
and the reception of the gift of tn,
Spirit, i'm the case of these Samari
tans. is no warrant for the "secont
blessing" idea, for under right infiu
ence and teaching the believer SHOULD
at once enter into the fitness and 10.
Of salvation.
w. Simon's Wicked Request wv
1924.
When Simon saw that the power o
Peter exceeded that which he pos
sessed and that 1t was receive,
through the laying on Of hands, he of
fered money for the gift. This act re
veals the hypocrisy of this man. HI
professed faith and was baptized, fol
lowing after them for a selfish end
To desire and seek the gift of the Spir
It for selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is to b.
guilty of Simon's sin. All traffic II
sacred things has been called "Si
mony," from the name of this sorcer
er. Peter told Simon that he hat
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
We do not know whether he repente'
or not. We need not be surprised tina
cases of hypocrisy should develop a
times of great revival; indeed we ma
expect them.
Simon practiced the art OF sorcer
for gain and influence. Now that h
found his profits diminishing and hi
influence waning. he endeavored to az
auire new power. All persons VIII
use their religion to further their an
| billions to get gain are guilty of thi
| sin. Sometimes men join the churc
| for business, social, and political res
sons; sometimes official positions ar
coveted for the prestige and powe
they give. Let all who are using tn
name of the church for business pul
poses be warned by Peters rebuke
Let Simon's doom be solemn war;
ing to all!
| Happiness.