The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-03-02
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Peter Unmasks Falsehood And
Hypocrisy
By HIGHT e. MOORE

bewitched the people of Samaria
with his magic arts and led many
of them to believe him divinely
endowed. Finding himself sur
passed by Philip both in ability
to work wonders (for Philip could
heal while he could not) and in
hold upon the people. he made a
profession of faith and was bap-
tized. That he Joined the dis
ciples with sinister motive is
clear. (2) The aim of hypocrisy
was apparent partly in the con-
Stunning intrest he had in 1.-The
miracles and signs which were
done" by Philip rather than in
the evangelist's spiritual ministry.
Also when Peter and John upon
arrival from Jerusalem laid their
hands upon Samaritan believers
who received the Holy Spirit,
then the real character of the
sorcerer appeared. for he was
but a sorcerer still. He offered
to buy from the Apostles the
power to bestow the Holy Spirit.
(3) The anathema upon hypocr-
isy was pronounced instantly, al
most Indignantly, by Peter who
utterly repealed the idea. Let
the sorcerer and his silver perish
together! He made the blunder
of his life in thinking that ne
could obtain the gift of God with
money. As a matter of fact such
a man with such a spirit had
neither part nor lot in particle
of the Holy Spirits power. And
the reason was at hand, his heart
had not been regenerated and SO
was not right before God. (4)
However Peter gave the antidote
for hypocrisy. He called upon
the sorcerer to do two very fun
damental and necessary things.
The first was to repent of his
wickedness; and the second was
to pray the Lord for forgiveness.
On these conditions there was
still hope for Simon though he
had the poison and corruption of
sin typified by the gall of venom
of reptiles, and though confirmed
in habits of sin as if bound with
the ropes or shackles of inquiry.
(5) The answer of hypocrisy does
does not show a change of heart
since it did not exactly carry out
the apostles instructions. In
stead of praying himself the sor-
cerer asked the apostle to pray
for him and; the burden of the
prayer he desired was that none
of these things should come upon
him. Whether Simon did more
than this we do not know for he
instantly drops out of sight.
BE TRUTHFUL AND
HONEST
First, Be truthful and honest
in heart. Conceived thsi thing
in thine heart" The sincere spirit
is rarer than the truthful ton
que. The honest heart is more
seldom found than the honest
deed. Yet truth and honesty are
primarily spiritual qualities. In
terweave the mwith the souls in
most fiber.
Second, Be Truthful and Hon.
est in Aim. Satan filled thine
heart to keep back part"
One can never be truthful and
honest by accident. The whole
drift is the other way. There
must be definite aim, fixed en-
deavor, constant and consistent
conquest of all that hinders.
Third, Be truthful and Honest
in Claim. "Tell me whether We
sold the land for SO much" Pro-
fession is good when it is good;
but false profession is deceiving
and may prove disastrous. An
anias and Sapphire expected to
equal or excel Barnabas in repu-
tation; but they were hypocrites
and should not have been church
members at all.
Fourth, Be Truthful and Hon
est in Ownership. "Was it not
thine own" Nothing is said
against the ownership of prop
erty, if rightly gotten and used.
The trouble arises when place is
given to dishonesty and n.y.
pocrisy.
Fifth, Be Truthful and Honest
in Philanthropy. Brought a GER
tain part" Are there not many
today who desire credit for more
than they do? They want to ap-
pear sacrificial without making
sacrifice.
Sixth, Be Truthful and Honest
in Worship. Laid it at the
apostles feet" Right mot the
house of God walked the hypo-
critics of the olden time and
piled their shadowy art. Where
else ought we to be so veracious
and clean of soul?
Seventh, Be Truthful and Hon.
est in Appreciation. "He offered
them money = Thy silver perish
with thee" Silver cannot buy
spirituality. Miraculous power is
not a thing of barter. The HOLY
Spirit is not for sale. Simon the
sorcerer sinned previously when
ne started simony. Peters de-
nunciation of the sorcerer was
terrific. No wonder the hypo-
critic WINGED under it.
Eighth, Be Truthful and Hon.
est in Influence. "Great fear
came on ALL" To think of An
anias and Sapphira is to think of
lying and its doom. To think of
Simon the sorcerer is to think of
simony and the curse upon it.
10 think of YOU and me. is il to