Philip was in the midst of a great revival meeting. The Lord’s angel spoke to him and asked that he go at once to a certain road in a desert country. As Philip obeyed the Lord’s command, he met a wealthy Ethiopian who was the treasurer for the queen of the Ethio pians. The Ethiopian was reading from the book of Isaiah as he rode along in his chariot. The Holy Spirit told Philip to join the stranger in the chariot. After the Ethiopian had read some of the Scripture to Philip, Philip asked him, “Understandest thou what thou read est?” The answer was, “How can I, ex cept some man should guide me?” The Scripture was a prophecy of the death of the Lord Jesus. When the Ethiopian asked Philip of whom Isaiah was writ ing, Philip told him about the Saviour of whom Isaiah told. The Ethiopian readily received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and had his chariot stopped at a lake or river that he might be baptized at once. As they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away so that the Ethio pian saw him no more. The saved man went on his way home rejoicing at the new life that was his in Christ. What might have happened if Philip had not been well aquainted with the Word of God? The coming of the gospel into Ethiopia might have been delayed many years. Our Bibles are not just to carry to church on Sunday with us. We should become well acquainted with them, read and study them each day, and learn many of the verses, “by heart” that when the Holy Spirit needs us to speak to someone about the Saviour we shall know where to find the Scripture that is needed at once. This lesson stresses the importance of prayer in the development of the spir itual life. Prayer is one of the means placed at the believer’s disposal for growth in grace. It is the breath of the spirit which is in fellowship with God. We are taught in the Word to “ Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). In other words, there should be no long gaps in the believer’s prayer life. He should daily seek the Lord’s face that he may know the Lord’s will and have the strength to do it. Three passages are suggested for our study this week, each one presenting precious truth on prayer. The Pattern of Prayer Matt. 6:9-13 This is ofttimes called the Lord’s Prayer. However, it is better to call it the Disciples’ Prayer. In it the Lord shows the disciples how to pray. After T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S Oct. 22, 1950 GROWING THROUGH PRAYER Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:9-13 Phil. 1:3-11 Pointers on the Lesson
How Use the Bible? Acts 8:26-35
Oct. 15, 1950 USING THE BIBLE Psa. 19:7-11; Acts 8:26-35 Pointers on the Lesson
In the account of Philip leading the Ethiopian to the Lord, we have an excel lent example of how the Word of God may be used with utmost effectiveness. The ways of God sometimes appear strange. Philip was doing a great work in Samaria and souls were being saved. Was it reasonable that he should leave that work and go to a desert place to talk to one man? But God makes no mis takes and when Philip arrived in the vicinity of Gaza he found a man whose heart was receptive to the truth. He had been to Jerusalem to worship (v. 27) but apparently was returning to his country with his heart unsatisfied. But he was interested in the things of God and was reading from the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. This was Philip’s opportunity. In response to Philip’s question, “Un- derstandest thou what thou readest?” the Ethiopian replied, “ How can I, ex cept some man should guide me?” (w . 30, 31). This shows how possible it is for men to read the Scriptures most earnest ly and yet be totally ignorant of their meaning. It also shows how important it is for believers to know the Word of God so that they can explain them to those who do not understand. How did Philip use the Bible? He tactfully began at the place of the Ethio pian’s interest and from there quickly found his way to the Saviour. Happy is God’s servant who can do this! Let us pray for a practical knowledge of God’s Word that will enable each one of us from any point in the Word to lead needy souls to Jesus. Helps for the Children How Philip Used the Book Acts 8:26-39 Memory Verse: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth under standing unto the simple” (Psa. 119: 130).
The use of the Bible is indispensable to Christian growth. It is food for the soul. As the physical body cannot grow without continual nourishment, neither can man’s spiritual nature develop with out feeding upon the truth as found in the holy Scriptures. We need to know how to use the Word of God with the greatest possible effectiveness. Why Use the Bible? Psa. 19:7-11 The passage before us gives two good reasons why God’s children should make much use of the Bible. First, because of its character. Consider well the nature of God’s Word as it is presented in these few verses and see if there is any other writing that can begin to compare with the Scriptures. They are perfect and sure (v.7). This means that nothing needs to be added to God’s revelation and what it reveals can be absolutely depended upon. The Scriptures are right and pure (v. 8). This means that in the Bible man has a perfect standard of righteousness which if adhered to will make man pure. See the Golden Text: “ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). Then the Scriptures are shown to be true and righteous in every re spect (v.9). They are a chart which depicts the true course of rectitude. In the second place, the Bible should be carefully used because of what it can accomplish. It brings conversion and wisdom (v .7 ). It gives joy and enlight enment (v. 8). And the Scriptures sound a warning and offer reward (v. 9). What other book can do anything comparable to these things? No wonder the psalmist exclaimed, “ Thy testimonies are wonder ful” (119:129).
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