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The Sabbath School

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 36.

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The Sabbath School

International Series.

LESSON I.—SABBATH, OCTOBER 2, 1897.

THE GOSPEL IN SAMARIA.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 8:4-24, R. V.
4 “They therefore that were scattered abroad went about 5 preaching the Word. And Philip went down to the city of 6 Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs 7 which he did. For from many of those which had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many 8 that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.”
9 “But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of 10 Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one; to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This 11 man is that power of God which is called Great. And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed 12 them with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and 13 women. And Simon also himself believed; and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.”
14 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto 15 them Peter and John; who, when they were come down, 16 prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they had been 17 baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they 18 their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, 19 Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto 20 him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part 21 nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For 23 I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of 24 iniquity. And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken shall come upon me.”

QUESTIONS.

1. What did those do who were scattered abroad by persecution after the death of Stephen?
2. Where did Philip go? What did he do there?
3. How was his preaching received? What manifestation accompanied his words?
4. What showed the work to be of God?
5. What did the Gospel cause in that city?
6. What noted character was there at that time? What had he been doing? For whom were all his efforts put forth?
7. How great had his influence been? How had the people regarded him?
8. Why did they thus run after him?
9. When Philip preached, to what did he direct their attention? Whom did he announce as the great one? When the people believed Philip’s preaching, what followed?
10. When all the people believed and were baptized, what did Simon do?
11. What tidings came to the apostles in Jerusalem? What did they do?
12. What did they do when they came to Samaria?
13. What was yet lacking in the experience of these Samaritans?
14. What did the apostles do, that they might receive the Holy Ghost?
15. What desire did this awaken on the part of Simon? What did he do?
16. Why did he desire this power?
17. What was Peter’s reply?
18. What did he say that Simon did not have? What was the condition of his heart?
19. What exhortation did Peter give him?
20. What did Peter say was his condition?
21. How was Simon affected by these solemn words?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Whom did Philip preach?
2. Whom did Simon preach?
3. When men preach the Word, to whom do they draw disciples?
4. When they teach perverse things, to whom do they draw disciples? Cite a text showing this.
5. Did Simon desire the Holy Spirit? What was it that he asked for? Is it possible for one to impart to others that which he does not himself possess? Of whom does the Holy Spirit testify? Of whom did Simon desire that the Spirit should testify? Why was Simon’s heart not right with God? See Hab. 2:4.
6. For what did Simon ask Peter to pray? Of what does a truly penitent man think rather than of personal consequences to himself?