The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-01-22

MAY be used with missionary applica-
tons
LESSON TExT-Acts st-2A
GOLDEN TEXT-Ye shall be witnesses
unto me both IN Jerusalem. and In all
Jddea, and In Samaria and unto the ut
termost part OF the esrth.-Acts rs
ADDITIONAL MATERiAL~-lI Kings
T:2i-sl. Luke o'a3-s5 John 4i-t2
PRIMARY ToPiC-relllns Others About
Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIC-Petcr and John IN a
Strange City.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP.
IC-Three Missionaries and Their Tri,
umphs
T. Preaching the Word Everywhere
". ~.
After the stonlng Of stephen the
enemies Of the Lord we're more active
than ever In their efforts TO stamp
out the new faith. With Saul as their
leader they rushed back 10 the city.
dragged from their homes and i'm.
prisoned those who confessed Christ.
In this the devil overreached himself
Cor the believers took flight and went
everywhere preaching the word The
time had come for the witness bearing
10 extend beyond Jerusalem aud Ju-
dea. Preaching was not confined TO
the twelve The Lord thus makes the
devils wickedness 10 further his own
purpose. Frequently. In the hour ~
trial Christians see more clearly their
duty and bestlr themselves 10 perform
II. n Christians will not move on.
the Lord win shove them on.
~. Philip Preaching the Gospel In
samsria. wv. 5i3).
Hitherto the gospel had reached
and q Jew N preaching 60 Samaritans
and Samarltans are rejoicing In the
gospel Of Christ proclaimed by a jew.
His preaching was fruitful for multi.
tudes believed hls message Much JOY
In this Samaritan city followed the re
ception 81 the message Roth Samar.
iinns and Jews were looking for
Christ. so they were glad 10 know that
the Christ had come. Chris II the
one name ana person who viii break
down race prejudice. In him there
IL unity and real brotherhood. for he
II the universal man. The only hope
OF the world II Christ
SO great was Philips success that
Simon Magnus professed faith and was
baptized. Simon was a sorcerer who
by magical devices had made n great
reputation. gaining control Of many
OF the credulous and ignorant. 80 that
they regarded him as some great one
- - -.
from this sorcerer TO the gospel OF
Christ.
~. Peter ard John Sent to Samar.
u wv. i4-iT).
The church at Jerusalem sent two
Of Its best men To encourage the work.
They dscerned that the Spirit had not
yet fallen upon the believers. so they
laid hands upon them and the Spirit
was given unto them. These Samnri-
tans were really converted. regener
sted. but had not yet been filled with
the Spirits gift. Believers should
srek the Spirits gift nj once for this
will exclude the interests Of the world
The mission Of Peter and John shows
the unity OF the church--the mother
church gave sanction 20 the new work
In Samaria. Much OF the work Of the
modern evangelist IL failure be
cause II Is not properly followed up
BY those who viii Instruct and bring
the converts into relationship with the
Aving church.
~. simor's Wicked Request (vv
1920.
When Simon saw that the power Of
Peter exceeded that which he pos
sessed and that II was received
through the laying on 81 hands, he Of
fered money for the gift This act re-
veals the hypocrisy OF THE man. He
professed faith and was baptized. fol.
lowing after them for n selfish end
To desire and seek the gift OF the Splr-
II for selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT II 20 he
guilty OF Simon's sin. All traffic in
T, sncred things has been called "Sl.
mony." from the name % this sorcer-
or. Peter told Simon that he had
neither part nor lot In this matter.
= that he should repent OF his wicked
ness and pray 10 God for forgiveness.
ne rtqu'Sftu te'eI W pihs i"I hnh-
Simon practlced the art OF sorcery
for gain and influence Now that he
found his profits diminishing and his
influence waning. he endeavored 10 ac-
quire new power. All persons who
use their religion TO further their am
billions TO get gain are guilty Of this
rin. Sometimes men join the church
for business social and political rea-
sons; sometimes official positions are
coveted for the prestige and power
they give. Let all who are using the
name OF the church for business pur-
poses be warned by Peters rebuke
Let Simon's doom be a solemn warn
ing 10 all
The Goal.