Chapter 11
The Gospel in Samaria
[This chapter is based on Acts 8.]
After the death of Stephen there arose against the believers in
Jerusalem a persecution so relentless that "they were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria." Saul
"made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling
men and women committed them to prison." Of his zeal in this cruel
work he said at a later date: "I verily thought with myself, that I
ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which
thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in
prison. . . . And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled
them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities." That Stephen was not the only one
who suffered death may be seen from Saul's own words, "And when
they were put to death, I gave my voice against them." Acts
26:9-11.
At this time of peril Nicodemus came forward in fearless avowal of
his faith in the crucified Saviour. Nicodemus was a member of the
Sanhedrin and with others had been stirred by the teaching of Jesus. As
he had witnessed Christ's wonderful works, the conviction had fastened
itself upon his mind that this was the Sent of God. Too proud openly to
acknowledge himself in sympathy with the Galilean Teacher, he had sought
a secret interview. In this interview Jesus had unfolded to him the plan
of salvation and His mission to the world, yet still Nicodemus had
hesitated. He hid the truth in his heart, and for three years there was
little apparent fruit. But while Nicodemus had not publicly acknowledged
Christ, he had in the Sanhedrin council repeatedly thwarted the schemes
of the priests to destroy Him. When at last Christ had been lifted up on
the cross, Nicodemus remembered the words that He had spoken to him in
the night interview on the Mount of Olives, "As Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
up" (John 3:14); and he saw in Jesus the world's Redeemer.
With Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus had borne the expense of the
burial of Jesus. The disciples had been afraid to show themselves openly
as Christ's followers, but Nicodemus and Joseph had come boldly to their
aid. The help of these rich and honoured men was greatly needed in that
hour of darkness. They had been able to do for their dead Master what it
would have been impossible for the poor disciples to do; and their
wealth and influence had protected them, in a great measure, from the
malice of the priests and rulers.
Now, when the Jews were trying to destroy the infant church,
Nicodemus came forward in its defence. No longer cautious and
questioning, he encouraged the faith of the disciples and used his
wealth in helping to sustain the church at Jerusalem and in advancing
the work of the gospel. Those who in other days had paid him reverence,
now scorned and persecuted him, and he became poor in this world's
goods; yet he faltered not in the defence of his faith.
The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in
giving a great impetus to the work of the gospel. Success had attended
the ministry of the word in that place, and there was danger that the
disciples would linger there too long, unmindful of the Saviour's
commission to go to all the world. Forgetting that strength to resist
evil is best gained by aggressive service, they began to think that they
had no work so important as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem
from the attacks of the enemy. Instead of educating the new converts to
carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger of
taking a course that would lead all to be satisfied with what had been
accomplished. To scatter His representatives abroad, where they could
work for others, God permitted persecution to come upon them. Driven
from Jerusalem, the believers "went everywhere preaching the
word."
Among those to whom the Saviour had given the commission, "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19), were many from
the humbler walks of life--men and women who had learned to love their
Lord and who had determined to follow His example of unselfish service.
To these lowly ones, as well as to the disciples who had been with
the Saviour during His earthly ministry, had been given a precious
trust. They were to carry to the world the glad tidings of salvation
through Christ.
When they were scattered by persecution they went forth filled with
missionary zeal. They realised the responsibility of their mission. They
knew that they held in their hands the bread of life for a famishing
world; and they were constrained by the love of Christ to break this
bread to all who were in need. The Lord wrought through them. Wherever
they went, the sick were healed and the poor had the gospel preached
unto them.
Philip, one of the seven deacons, was among those driven from
Jerusalem. He "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those
things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles while he did.
For unclean spirits . . . came out of many that were possessed with
them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And
there was great joy in that city."
Christ's message to the Samaritan woman with whom He had talked at
Jacob's well had borne fruit. After listening to His words, the woman
had gone to the men of the city, saying, "Come, see a man, which
told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? They went
with her, heard Jesus, and believed on Him. Anxious to hear more, they
begged Him to remain. For two days He stayed with them, "and many
more believed because of His own word." John 4:29, 41.
And when His disciples were driven from Jerusalem, some found in
Samaria a safe asylum. The Samaritans welcomed these messengers of the
gospel, and the Jewish converts gathered a precious harvest from among
those who had once been their bitterest enemies.
Philip's work in Samaria was marked with great success, and, thus
encouraged, he sent to Jerusalem for help. The apostles now perceived
more fully the meaning of the words of Christ, "Ye shall be
witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
While Philip was still in Samaria, he was directed by a heavenly
messenger to "go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from
Jerusalem unto Gaza. . . . And he arose and went." He did not
question the call, nor did he hesitate to obey; for he had learned the
lesson of conformity to God's will.
"And, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a 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, was returning, and
sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet." This Ethiopian was
a man of good standing and of wide influence. God saw that when
converted he would give others the light he had received and would exert
a strong influence in favour of the gospel. Angels of God were attending
this seeker for light, and he was being drawn to the Saviour. By the
ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch with one
who could lead him to the light.
Philip was directed to go to the Ethiopian and explain to him the
prophecy that he was reading. "Go near," the Spirit said,
"and join thyself to this chariot." As Philip drew near, he
asked the eunuch, "Understandest thou what thou readest? 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." The scripture that he was
reading was the prophecy of Isaiah relating to Christ: "He was led
as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his sheerer, so
opened He not His mouth: in His humiliation His judgement was taken
away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from
the earth."
"Of whom speaketh the prophet this?" the eunuch asked,
"of himself, or of some other man?" Then Philip opened to him
the great truth of redemption. Beginning at the same scripture, he
"preached unto him Jesus."
The man's heart thrilled with interest as the Scriptures were
explained to him; and when the disciple had finished, he was ready to
accept the light given. He did not make his high worldly position an
excuse for refusing the gospel. "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 baptised? And Philip said, If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand
still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the
eunuch; and he baptised him.
"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. But Philip as found at Azotus: and passing through he
preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."
This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by
such missionaries as Philip--men who will hear the voice of God and go
where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who
cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women
are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up
from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are
on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.
An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who
was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the
footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify
their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to
Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is
not God's way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their
fellow men.
In the trust given to the first disciples, believers in every age
have shared. Everyone who has received the gospel has been given sacred
truth to impart to the world. God's faithful people have always been
aggressive missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honour of
His name and wisely using their talents in His service.
The unselfish labour of Christians in the past should be to us an
object lesson and an inspiration. The members of God's church are to be
zealous of good works, separating from worldly ambition and walking in
the footsteps of Him who went about doing good. With hearts filled with
sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in need of help,
bringing to sinners a knowledge of the Saviour's love. Such work calls
for laborious effort, but it brings a rich reward. Those who engage in
it with sincerity of purpose will see souls won to the Saviour, for the
influence that attends the practical carrying out of the divine
commission is irresistible.
Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going
forth to fulfil this commission. Everyone who has received Christ is
called to work for the salvation of his fellow men. "The Spirit and
the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come."
Revelation 22:17. The charge to give this invitation includes the entire
church. Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message
from hill and valley, saying, "Come."
It is fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul-saving depends
alone upon the ministry. The humble, consecrated believer upon whom the
Master of the vineyard places a burden for souls is to be given
encouragement by the men upon whom the Lord has laid larger
responsibilities. Those who stand as leaders in the church of God are to
realise that the Saviour's commission is given to all who believe in His
name. God will send forth into His vineyard many who have not been
dedicated to the ministry by the laying on of hands.
Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation are
still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in some
line of active service. To these Christ is saying, "Why stand ye
here all the day idle?" and He adds, "Go ye also into the
vineyard." Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond
to the call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do
not stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work
to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members.
Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of
the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to
his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed
work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfilment of the gospel
commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will
return to this earth with power and great glory. "This gospel of
the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14. |
