The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 11, 1897

The Sunday School

International Series.

Lesson IX.—Sunday, February 28, 1897.

THE DISCIPLES DISPERSED.

NOTE.—The present lesson treats of still another way in which the church achieves victory through the opposition of her foes. Let the teacher give a brief outline of the growth of the church up to this time, including her triumphs over the various obstacles thrown in her way. The church is now about seven years old. Hitherto the Jews had been careful and guarded in their treatment of the apostles and their followers, for they feared the common people; but through perjured testimony they had gained the sympathy of many, and had thus “stirred up the people.” With a substantial backing behind them they soon show what is in their heart.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 8:1-17, R. V.

1 “And Saul was consenting unto his death. 2 And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 3 And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 4 They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the Word. 5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. 6 And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. 7 For from many of those which had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice; and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city. 8 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one; 9 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. 10 And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 11 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 women. 12 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed. 13 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John; 14 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 15 for as yet he was fallen upon none of them; only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 16 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”

Golden Text.—“They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” Acts 8:4.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) How did Saul stand with reference to Stephen’s death? Verse 1, first clause. (2) To what trial was the church subjected at this time? Ib., second clause. Note 1. (3) What was the result? Ib., last clause. (4) What is further mentioned in regard to Stephen? Verse 2. Note 2. (5) In what work did Saul engage? Verse 3, first clause. Note 3. (6) How thorough was this work? Ib., last clause. (7) What was done by those who fled from the hand of Saul? Verse 4. Note 4. (8) What did the persecution do for the Samaritans? Verse 5. (9) How was Philip received at Samaria? Verse 6, first clause. (10) What helped the Samaritans to believe in him? Ib., last part. (11) What work did Philip do in connection with his evangelistic labors? Verse 7. Note 5. (12) What followed Philip’s work? Verse 8. (13) Who is introduced in verse 9, and what had he done? (14) What influence had he exercised over the people? Verse 10, first part. (15) What had they come to believe in regard to him? Ib., last clause. (16) Why did the people hold him in such regard? Verse 11. (17) What was the result of Philip’s teaching? Verse 12. (18) How was Simon affected by the work? Verse 13, first clause. (19) What did he do? Ib., last part. Note 6. (20) What followed the report of this work among the Samaritans? Verse 14. Note 7. (21) What was the work of Peter and John? (22) What was the extent of the work then done among the Samaritans? Verse 16. (23) What was the result of the work of the two apostles? Verse 17.

NOTES.

1. At that time.—The original implies that this persecution commenced, or at least was in existence, on the very day of Stephen’s death. The leaders had seemingly gained two important points: they had stirred up the people, and compassed the death of one whose power was recognized by all; and they lost no time in following up and pressing this apparent advantage.

2. And devout men.—These were evidently Jews who deprecated the mob-like actions of the leaders, and testified to their sentiments by giving decent burial to the martyred Stephen.

3. Made havoc of the church.—To the onlookers it would seem that the church was being torn limb from limb and devastated, as a lion might ravish and rend his prey; but in reality it was like the blast of the gale through the ripened flower garden, bearing aloft and scattering far and wide the fluffy pappus with its pendent seed, to germinate and bear its fruit wherever the blast might suffer it to drop. And the fiercer the gale, the wider will the seed be scattered.

4. Went everywhere preaching the Word.—The bitterness of persecution should never cause any to lose faith or trust in God and his work. They may not have understood God’s purpose in permitting their dispersion, but a mighty, guiding hand was at the helm, and they were content to trust, believe, and work on. Many had lost their earthly possessions, but we would gain no hint of it from their zeal in the Master’s service.

5. And many . . . were healed.—Philip, following in the footsteps of Christ, combined the work of teaching the way of salvation with that of healing the sick; and we find this to be true in the work of others of the apostles.

6. Wondered, beholding the miracles.—The belief which was manifested by Simon was evidently the mere assent of the mind to the facts. It did not seem to affect or touch the heart. He saw what he knew was beyond his power. His former followers were turning to its influence, and he could at least lose nothing by following their example. His subsequent offer to purchase the power which the apostles possessed reveals his object in joining himself to the believers—that he might profit thereby.

7. Samaria.—This people has been called the bridge between the Jews and the Gentiles. For hundreds of years they had preserved their half-and-half condition. The Pentateuch was their Bible, but they had not come out from under the influence of heathen customs sufficiently to disregard the forms of heathen worship. The Christians made a test of this matter. If God accepted this new class of believers, Christians could not do less than to receive them. The gift of the Holy Spirit was the test. It would seem that God had designed a people for a keystone in the bridge over which his message should go to the regions beyond, and the Samaritans were that people. With this view of the work, how fitting for the Saviour to use a Samaritan as the one to succor the unfortunate man who had fallen among thieves.