183 The apostles laid fyands upon the be lievers and they received the Holy Ghost. This was the anointing power, %-the gift of the Spirit for service. They had already received the Holy Spirit on believing (John 7:37-39). There can be no life from God without, the indwelling Spirit. There was no virtue in the apostles by which they im parted this power. >, Ananias, the un known, laid his hands on Paul (Acts 9:17), and humble disciples at Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:3). This was a special gift for testimony and service. The Spirit gives to every man severally as He wills (1 Cor. 12:11). All should seek to be filled, (Eph. 5:18). (3) THE SIN OF SIMONY, vs. 18- 25. Simon was a sorcerer,— the self-con stituted priest of the Samaritan city. He was a magician, an imposter, who practiced the black arts—witchcraft, or divination. He pretended to be a mes senger from Heaven, and as the Sama ritans and all the world were in a state of expectation, they readily fell into the toils of this taskmaster. The advent of Philip changed the course of the crowd and the tide flowed toward the evangelistic meetings. Simon saw that this man Philip had greater power than he, so he decided to become a follower of the new order. Many were being baptized, and he fol lowed suit. It is said he “ beheld and saw” (vs. 13-18), not that he believed. He received baptism, but not the Word. The Lord never trusted such (John 2:23, 24). He sought to purchase spiritual gifts, — a sure sign that he was not a true believer. His aim was selfish. He sought under false pretenses. He ac cepts the fact of' Christianity, but not, the Christ of Christianity. He has a head, but not a heart belief. He is still
THE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S a flaming evangel, the forerunner of Paul, and .well qualified for service among the Samaritans. 3. Th© Preaching. He preached the Word unto them. He preached Christ crucified, Christ caught up and Christ coming. This was the theme of the early church, and it is the Gospel. No true preacher preaches his own word, but “ Thy Word,” (John 17:14; 2 Tim. 3 :15 ); all the Word, (Col. 1 :25 ); his tory, prophecy, parables, Old Testa ment types, New Testament doctrines,— grace, glory, and the things of the king dom. The disciples did not seek to adapt the Gospel to the Scribes and Pharisees, nor to trim it to suit the spirit of the age. 4. The People: “With one accord gave heed.” They heard the Word, they heeded the Word, they were healed by the Word. The Word of God was declared, the work of God was demonstrated, the wretched hnd wicked were delivered. There was joy in that city,— of course there was,— and there will be joy in any city when the demons are driven out, the palsied made whole, and the lame made to walk. There is nothing like thef Gospel to bring joy. Joy is a word peculiar to the Christian. Believers have a joy which cannot be taken from them (John 15:11-16, 22), and,: they have the power to create joy not only in a city, but in the presence of the angels of God (Luke 15:10). “ Joy to the world, the Lord has come,” and “ joy to the believer, He is coming again.” Joy is the fruit of the Spirit and proves that the Spirit was at work through Philip. 5. The Power: The good news of the Spirit’s work soon reached Jerusalem and the apostles delegated Peter and John to go down and help in the good work. That Peter was not a pope is fully attested by the fact that he was sent by others.
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