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| 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. |
And Saul – An energetic man, on whichever side of a question he stood. God seems to be specially on the lookout for just such earnest characters. R2110:1
One of the chief persecutors of the Church. R4329:5, 1433:1
Probably had attended the same synagogue as Stephen. R5858:1
Was consenting – Was doing an evil work, but did not realize this. R5357:1
A great persecution – Served to test and sift those who had named the name of Christ and became the Lord's means of spreading the truth in every direction. R2959:3
Corresponding to a persecution which may shortly be expected in this harvest season. R2959:6
Jerusalem – The principal city of Palestine and the resort of pious Jews from all quarters of the world. R2959:3
The death of Stephen marked the beginning of an epoch of persecution, especially in Jerusalem where for some years the Gospel found considerable root. R4329:5
Scattered abroad – Except the apostles. D480
"When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." (Matt. 10:23) R2960:3
Each believer is exhorted to be a burning and shinning light before the world in general. Hence the Lord broke up the commune, and scattered the believers, to preach the Gospel to every creature. R1862:5
There is a disposition to be together and have the comfort and support of fellow travelers in the narrow way. But this does not seem to be God's plan; we are scattered, so that we may let our light shine. R367:3; D480
A commune of believers is opposed to the purpose of the Gospel age. The Lord broke it up, and scattered the believers everywhere. D480; R1862:5,6
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| 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. |
And devout men – Who were not afraid or ashamed to be counted among the friends and brethren of the faithful martyr. R1432:6
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| 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and dragging off men and women committed them to prison. |
Havock of the church – The same conditions exist today. R5172:6
Into every house – Armed with the necessary legal authority. R4329:5
Committed them to prison – Those who had charge of the synagogues were not always bad people, but they were mistaken, as was Saul. R5172:6
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| 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. |
Scattered abroad – Because they openly declared the truth. R942:5
Jerusalem having had its full period of favor, the church having been rooted and established, the divine plan let on to a wider work. R2109:6
The persecution caused all except the apostles to leave Jerusalem. It actually helped to spread the truth. R1433:1
So that everywhere the truth was preached. R4337:4
Communism is not the Lord's arrangement. D480; R1862:5,6
Went every where – The work done in Judea following our Lord's crucifixion was a harvesting work to that nation. That harvest extended beyond Palestine, but even then it always applied "to the Jew first," until A.D. 70. R4337:1
Preaching the Word – Teach publicly. R984:4
They all preached. R942:5, 984:4, 670:2
Greek, euaggelizo (evangelize), to tell good news or tidings. R670:3
Not preaching ourselves, nor human theories and traditions. R4336:6
No mention is made of fairs, festivals, suppers or shows, to raise money for salaries or for church erection. R4336:3
Greek, logos; intention, plan, purpose or expression. R421:2, 338:1
Instead of money, titles and respect, they got stripes, imprisonments and revilings--driven from their homes. R670:5
There was no division into clergy and laity. All the early church were preachers, and if persecuted they went everywhere, preaching the word. R2110:1, 984:4
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| 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. |
Then Philip – Deacon Philip was not the Apostle Philip. R4329:6, 2960:2, 2110:2, 1433:2
The evangelist. E207; R1957:2
The city of Samaria – Samaria was the capital of a district called Samaria, whose people were of mixed blood, Jewish and Gentile. R2960:3
This incident occurred at least 3 years after our Lord's death, after the close of the seventieth symbolical week, and the full end of Israel's special favor. R2960:4, 4330:2, 2964:6
This preaching at Samaria was probably three years after the conversion of Cornelius. R4330:2
The dispensational change had occurred. The middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles had been broken down. (Eph. 2:14) R4330:2
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| 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. |
Gave heed – The work of grace flourished amongst the Samaritans very promptly after the door of opportunity swung open to them. R4132:3
Miracles which he did – Attested that Philip was a servant of God, and drew attention to the message he delivered. R4329:3
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| 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. |
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| 8 And there was great joy in that city. |
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| 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: |
Called Simon – Had long been a spirit medium. R4329:6, 266:1
Used sorcery – Simon Magus practiced some of Satan's wily arts, known at that time as "Black Art." R2960:5
Today the great deceiver variously presents himself as a Higher Critic, Evolutionist or Christian Scientist. R2960:5
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| 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. |
Great power – Thus did Satan use his power to delude the people. R266:1, 2961:1
To whom they all gave heed – God warns people not to believe any one whose teachings are contrary to the Word, no matter what powers they may exercise. (Isa. 8:19) R266:1
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| 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. |
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| 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. |
Concerning the kingdom – He explained that the kingdom would be spiritual; he preached the second coming of Messiah, and consecration. R2110:4
Baptized – Greek, dipping; immersion. R444:3, 1541:2
For a time after Pentecost, the apostles preached repentance of sins and used immersion as a token or sign of putting away of sin. R444:3
Both men and women – But not children. F448; NS54:3
Baptism was the custom of all the apostles--not merely with the Jews, but also with the Gentiles. F448; NS54:3
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| 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. |
Then Simon himself – There are many of the Simon Magus class in the nominal churches, and even amongst those who have received present truth, who have never discerned the real spirit of the Gospel; but who look at it from a mercenary point of view. R2961:4, 1433:5
Believed also – Cast in his lot with the believers. R2961:4
Was baptized – The admission into the Church, on profession of faith in Christ and by baptism, of one who was not a true convert to Christianity and who was not really consecrated. R1433:2
The expression "Believe and be baptized," implies a mental development beyond that which infants possess. CR75:3
The real baptism is that which cannot be seen, except in ones conduct. R1544:2
Water immersion, though a public profession of Christ by the one immersed, was not necessarily an endorsement of such by the apostles and the church. R1544:2
He continued – Even in those days there was a nominal church which comprised both the wheat and the tare element. R1433:2
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| 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: |
The word of God – The Scriptures do claim to be the Word of God. R1584:3
Sent Peter and John – So our colporteuring evangelists, after stirring up the pure minds, introduce the "Studies in the Scriptures." F257
Before Pentecost, John was one who had desired to bring down fire out of heaven to destroy these very people and their city. (Luke 9:54) How much change the Gospe R2961:1
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| 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: |
The Holy Spirit – The "gifts" were conferred by the laying on of the hands of the apostles. E207
Many who possessed those miraculous "gifts" lacked the seal and witness of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 13:1-3) E247
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| 16 (For as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) |
Name of the Lord – Into the name of the Lord Jesus, immersion into Christ's death. R1544:4
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| 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. |
Their hands on them – The hands of the apostles. F284
Not to give them authority to preach, but to impart the gifts of the Spirit. F284; R1957:4
The object of those gifts was the establishment of the early church. R2764:5, 4330:1
Only an apostle could convey the gifts of the holy Spirit. R3152:5, 2764:4, 1433:3, 376:2
Those who received the gifts from their hands could not re-communicate those gifts to others. R376:2, 2764:4, 1433:3
Received the Holy Spirit – With an outward manifestation of their acceptance with God in the receiving of the gifts then conferred upon members of the Church. R1433:3
The begetting of the holy Spirit in the early church was indicated by certain miraculous gifts. R4872:2
The gifts of the Spirit might be imparted instantaneously; but the fruits of the Spirit could only be had by growth. R2961:2
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| 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, |
The apostle's hands – When those who received the gifts died, the gifts themselves ceased. R4872:3, 2961:1; E207
Philip, although possessed of the holy Spirit, did not possess the power to communicate such gifts to others. R2110:2, 1998:3, 1957:2; E207
Offered them money – It was the apostolic privilege of bestowing these gifts upon others, which Simon wanted to purchase with money. R1998:3
Implied that he was not begotten of the holy Spirit. R4330:4
A spiritual gift is not to be used to procure temporal comforts. R2567:2
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| 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. |
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| 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. |
Thy money perish – It took the Apostle's sharp word to awaken him to a realization that he was now dealing with God and holy things. R4330:4
The gift – The possession of these gifts did not always indicate saintship. R1433:5; E247
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| 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. |
Neither part nor lot – Up to this time Simon has passed for a thoroughly converted man. Now Peter tells him with great plainness that he is still unregenerate--merely a spectator and not a participator in the spiritual things. R2110:5
It required the exercise of special powers conferred upon the apostles to keep the community from being imposed on by such selfish characters. R1421:5
Heart is not right – Peter's rebuke to Simon was a severe one, indicating death as the reward for hypocrisy, if persisted in. R1433:5
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| 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
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Repent therefore – Peter was not uncharitable; he kindly urged the sinner to repentance. He at least saved the church of Samaria from the imposition of one whom otherwise they would have esteemed as a brother. R1433:6
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| 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. |
In the gall of bitterness – We must distinguish as between the flesh and the spirit, however outwardly respectable they may be. NS403:5
Many professed Christians are indulging in false hopes, in thinking they are the Lord's people. NS410:4
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| 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. |
Pray ye...for me – Indicates some measure of repentance, due only to Peter's plain rebuke. R1433:6
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| 25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. |
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| 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. |
Spake unto Philip – Possibly by a vision or a dream. R1438:2
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| 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, |
He arose and went – This occurrence must have taken place after the full end of the seventy weeks of favor upon fleshly Israel. R2964:6
A man of Ethiopia – Was unquestionably a black man. (Jer. 13:23) R3043:1; HG508:3
The Bible shows that God has manifested His favor toward the negro. HG508:3
A Jewish proselyte. R3616:4
Through him possibly introducing the good tidings into Africa. R2964:3
He belonged to the Kingdom of Meroe, on the Nile river. R2964:6
An eunuch – Not a Jew in the fullest sense, eunuchs not being fully accepted as proselytes, nor granted the privileges of the congregation. (Deut. 23:1) R2964:6
Of great authority – In high station under Candace. R4332:3
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| 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. |
Read Esaias – Aloud, after the custom of the time. R4332:6
Which he had probably purchased at Jerusalem at considerable cost. R4332:6, 2965:1
His manuscript was written in the Greek language, indicated by the word Esaias, which is the Greek form Isaiah. R2965:1
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| 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. |
The Spirit said – The Lord, by his Spirit, influence, power, directed and instructed Philip to approach the chariot. E273; R372:5
In what way the Lord's Spirit prompted him we are not informed. R4333:2, 372:5
Go near – The chariot probably overtook and passed Philip in the road, the eunuch driving leisurely, in order that he might read. R2965:2
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| 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? |
Heard him read – It was one of the Jewish rules that the faithful, in traveling, should read if they had no companionship. R2965:3
Understandeth thou – This was a test question, so to speak. R2965:4
So much depends upon a word in season, and the right word. R4333:2
Many of the Lord's people use too much tact in their presentation of the Gospel. R2965:4
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| 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. |
How can I – The same spirit of meekness that led the eunuch to desire a knowledge of God's Word, prompted him also to confess his ignorance of the meaning when asked. R1438:3, 4333:2
Not afraid nor ashamed to receive whatever assistance the Lord may provide. R2965:5, 1438:3
A heart in the right condition towards God and the truth. R4333:3
This Ethiopian evidently had a cleaner heart than the majority of the chief men in Israel. R3616:4
Many of our day are hindered from receiving the truth because lacking meekness, humbleness, teachableness. R4333:3
Our instruction is, "Preach the Gospel to the meek." (Isa. 61:1) R2965:6
He desired Philip – God sends his specially qualified representative to expound the Word. R1438:5
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| 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: |
To the slaughter – Divine providence was manifested in the choice of Scripture reading so that Philip might begin at the very foundation principle--how that Christ died for our sins. R1438:5
Justice could not demand sacrifice, but he laid it down in accordance with the Father's will. R4591:2
Opened he not his mouth – So Jesus did not resist. R5054:1
No man took from him his life; he laid it down himself, voluntarily. R4591:2
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| 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. |
His generation – Though in the dawn and vigor of his manhood he was cut off from life without any posterity to perpetuate his name, yet he is to have a numerous posterity. R1438:5
The Lord's posterity will be Adam's children on the earthly plane. R4333:4
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| 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? |
And the eunuch answered – Without inquiring whether he was an ordained preacher, or what sect he belonged to. R2965:5
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| 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. |
The same scripture – Showing God's usual method: he uses his inspired Word as the text, and sends specially qualified representatives to expound it. R1438:5
Preached unto him Jesus – Showing how his sacrifice was the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. R1438:5
He was ready to preach the Gospel to him and to accept him as a brother in Christ upon his confession of faith. 3043:1, 2966:2; HG508:4
Philip preached the Gospel in its simplicity, and the eunuch received it in like manner. R2966:4
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| 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? |
What doth hinder me – It did not take the eunuch long to decide what his course should be. His readiness of heart is indicated by his promptness to be baptized. R2966:2, 4333:6
Baptized – Which our Lord and his apostles practiced and enjoined upon all followers. R1539:3
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| 37 |
And Philip – The verse does not occur in any of the three oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts. R1438:6, 4333:6
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| 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. |
Both into the water – Philip did not say to the eunuch, "I will go yonder and fetch a little water in the palm of my hand and sprinkle it on your forehead." R2111:4
Baptized – Greek, dipping; immersion. R444:3, 4333:6, 1541:2,3
The Eunuch caught the force of baptism to such an extent that he embraced the first opportunity to be planted in the likeness of Christ's death. R760:2
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| 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. |
The Spirit – Power. E273
Caught away Philip – A miraculous transportation which Philip himself did not understand. R1438:6, 4334:1, 2111:4
Gave assurance of the Lord's supervision to Philip; and gave additional faith to the eunuch, that God was with Philip. R4334:1
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| 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. |
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