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1992-11-09
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THE GOSPEL IN SAMARIA AND JUDAH, 8:4-11:18
1. THE MINISTRY OF PHILIP, 8:4-40
A. PHILIP IN SAMARIA, 8:4-25
1. How did Saul's persecution affect the gospel, 8:4? It spread the
gospel wherever the Christians "were scattered abroad" and therefore
had the opposite effect of the purpose for which the persecutions took
place.
2. Comment on the term "preaching" in 8:4: This refers to the proclaiming
of the good news as best as each could, wherever there was opportunity.
3. Account for Philip's success in Samaria, 8:5-8: The people believed
Philip because the miracles he performed constituted divine
credentials and required no spiritual perception.
4. Wherein did Simon's sorcery consist, 8:9-11? In having astonished the
public by taking advantage of its credulity and superstitious
inclinations by means of charms, jugglery, and incantations.
5. What seems evident concerning Simon from:
(1) 8:12-19? That Simon believed in the genuineness of Philip's
miracles in contrast with his own, which were merely deceptions.
(2) 8:20-24? That Simon was still bound by a spirit of
self-aggrandizement and commercialized religion, seeing an
opportunity for material gain.
6. What may be observed from:
(1) 8:22? That sin does not lie alone in the act, but also in the
thought behind the act and that, therefore, repentance and
forgiveness must extend to the thoughts.
(2) 8:24? Simon seemed concerned only about the consequences of his
sin, not about his state, and so sought only remission of the
penalty, not a change of heart.
B. PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN, 8:26-40
1. Of what important principles of service is 8:26-40 a brilliant
example?
(1) Of being "labourers together with God" I Cor. 3:9.
(2) Of "the Lord working with them," Mark. 16:20.
2. Who was this eunuch, 8:27? He was a proselyte to Judaism and, as a
keeper of the law, had come up all the way from the upper valley of
the Nile to Jerusalem to worship at one of the feasts.
3. Note some remarkable facts:
(1) In relation to Philip, 8:27: The instantaneous, unquestioning
obedience which he rendered to an unusual direction, given
without explanation.
(2) In relation to God, 8:27: The wisdom of divine strategy in
selecting a man of such high position whose influence in favour
of the gospel would be enormous.
(3) In relation to the Ethiopian, 8:28, 32-33: The power of divine
providence exercised over the Ethiopian so that he was reading
the most suitable passage in the most suitable book at the most
suitable time.
4. What, concerning Philip, is to be observed in 8:29-35?
(1) The guidance of the Spirit in clear and precisely spoken words.
(2) Philip's unhesitating response without protest or question.
(3) The wisdom granted to Philip in opening the conversation in the
most effective manner calculated to provoke the most suitable
response.
5. What is apparent from 8:35-39? The phenomenal effectiveness of
Philip's ministry.
6. Comment on this entire incident in view of 8:39 in the light of 8:25
and 8:40: This incident was a parenthesis in Philip's ministry.