The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-07-30
Lesson for August 2
PHILIPS MISSIONARY LABoRs

LESSON TEXT-Acts $3.50.
GOLDEN TEXT - Therefore they
that were scattered abroad went every
where preaching the word.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Philip Tells a
Stranger About Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC--Philip An Early
Missionary.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
Ic-Pioneering for Jesus.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Gospel Breaks over the
Frontier.
!. Philip Preaching In samaria
wv. $50.
In taking the gospel to the Samari-
tans we see the broadening Of the
scope of Christianity. Philip was one
Of the seven so-called deacons. He
went to Samaria and preached Christ
showing that Gods purpose included
these despised people. Christ is the
true message of the evangelist. Not
Christ as an ethical teacher or as an
example, but Christ as the Savior from
sin through the offering of himself on
the cross as a substitutionary ransom.
u. Philip Preaching to the Ethiopian
(Acts S:26-39).
Following the preaching to the Sa-
maritans, the gospel was preached to
the Ethiopian who was in all proba-
bility a Gentle. In his conversion we
see the gospel in its outreach to the
ends of the earth.
1. Philip meeting the Ethiopian
wv. 26-30).
a. Leaving work by divine direction
". 26). The Lord called Philip away
from a great work in Samaria and
specifically directed him to this man.
The Spirit of God directed him to go
near and join himself to the chariot.
The tactful question put to the treas
urer gained him a seat by his side.
The mission which at first seemed so
unpromising was now clear.
b. An officer of state seeking the
way of salvation wv. q. 2S). The
Ethiopian had been to Jerusalem to
worship. Despite his high official po-
sition he was not ashamed Of the
worship of God. The journey from
that far-off country required hardship
and expense, but to one whose soul
yearns after God this is all joy.
c. A providential meeting in the des-
ert wv. 90, 30). The coming together
Of these two men was clearly the pre-
determined way of God.
2. Philip preaching to the Ethiopian
wv. 30-35).
a. The Ethiopian's employment on
the way ". 30). He was reading the
Word of God. The particular portion
was the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah.
A most excellent way to spend ones
time while travelling is to read Gods
Word. 1t is through Gods Word that
the individual is shown the way of life.
b. The need of an interpreter
". 81. The Ethiopian was reading
one of the clearest testimonies to the
Messiah in the Old Testament, yet he
was unable to understand it. The
Ethiopian, a great statesman, needed
an interpreter of the Scriptures. The
gospel needs to be experienced before
one can be witness to it's saving pow
er. The human mind in its natural
state is blind to spiritual things, maxi
ing the work of an evangelist indis-
pensable. Preaching the Word of God
will always be necessary. God has
designed that through the foolishness
Of preaching, men shall be saved. VAL
liable, indeed, as the Bible is in the
hands of men, the touch and influence
Of the believing man who has expert
enced the work of God in his own
heart is needed.
c. Philips message wv. 32-35). He
began at the scripture which the
Ethiopian was reading and preached
unto him Jesus. This shows us that
the person presented in the fifty-third
chapter of Isaiah as suffering in the
stead of others was Jesus Christ, also
that the central theme of the preach
er's message should be Christ crucified.
He did not preach Jesus as a great
teacher, but as Savior who had suf-
fered and died in the stead of sinners.
The vicarious atonement is a note
which is at the very heart of the
message Of every evangelist.
8. Philip baptized the Ethiopian
wv. 36-3S). AS a result Of Philips
preaching. the eunuch proposed bap-
tism. When Christ is truly received
men will desire to confess him in
baptism. Where this desire is lacking
the gospel in its fullness is evidently
not preached. The Ethiopian might
have offered many excuses as to why
he should neglect this important ordi-
nance, but like every man who is hon.
est before God, he was willing at any
cost to render obedience.
4. The Ethiopian rejoicing ". 39).
Having been baptized, he went on his
way rejoicing. Confession of Christ
and obedience to his Word always
brings joy.