Lesson for October 28, 2012: Philip Baptizes a Man from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-39)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD.
______
By Sam E. Stone
Someone has said the book known as “The Acts of the Apostles” could more accurately be titled, “Some of the Acts of Some of the Apostles.” Philip was not an apostle, yet he was a key figure in the early days of the church. He first appears in Acts as one of the “seven men” called to “wait on tables” in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). When next seen, he is preaching powerfully in Samaria (8:4-8). Later Philip is called an evangelist (21:8), an apt description.

The Scene
Acts 8:26-29
God gave direct and personal guidance to Philip. This depiction, “an angel of the Lord,” occurs four other times in Acts (5:19; 7:30-38; 12:7-10; 12:23). Philip had last been seen performing miraculous signs as he proclaimed Christ in Samaria. From this successful work, the Lord called him to reach just one individual some 50 miles away. “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” Desert means the region was uninhabited, not a waterless stretch of sand dunes.
On his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official. This man had come all the way from Ethiopia, south of Egypt. He had traveled many days to attend a feast in Jerusalem. He was likely a God-fearing Gentile, though he could have been a Jew or a proselyte. While unable to enter the temple, such a person could worship in the Court of the Gentiles (Deuteronomy 23:1). The official was reading from the book of Isaiah. His devotion to God is shown as he studied a scroll containing the book of Isaiah in the Greek language. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” God’s message came this time through the Spirit, rather than an angel (Acts 8:26).

The Message
Acts 8:30-35
Philip ran up to the chariot. Prompt obedience to God is always good! He heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip recognized the words of Isaiah. “Do you understand what you are reading?” he inquired. He began the conversation tactfully, showing interest in the official, and determining where he was spiritually. Always a wise way to begin an evangelistic conversation!
“How can I . . . unless someone explains it to me?” The nobleman had a humble, teachable spirit. Inviting Philip to ride with him, he opened his heart to the truth of the gospel. The section quoted is from Isaiah 53, one of the clearest predictions of the Messiah in the Old Testament. It is sometimes called the “Suffering Servant” passage. Comparing the submissive spirit of Jesus to that of a lamb prepared to be slaughtered, Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would not seek to defend himself. The prophecy’s clear fulfillment is seen in Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary.
The Ethiopian asked, “Who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” His question is one that had puzzled Jewish scholars for years. The meaning did not become clear until the prediction was fulfilled in Christ. Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. What a text! What wonderful news! No doubt he pointed the nobleman to Isaiah’s description of the Messiah, then showed how perfectly the prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth. He obviously outlined the plan of salvation, telling him the terms of forgiveness outlined in Scripture (Acts 2:38), since the man requested baptism.

The Decision
Acts 8:36-38
“Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” The eunuch obviously had learned that baptism was both his duty and his privilege. His question has been raised by untold thousands of repentant believers through the centuries. The obvious answer is, “You should do it!”
Some manuscripts include the eunuch’s confession of faith. Since these are later ones, however, most modern translations omit the verse. Most Bible scholars feel certain this verse was not in the original text. It likely was added later to describe the normal procedure when a new believer confessed Christ as lord prior to baptism.
The eunuch ordered the chariot to stop and he and Philip went down into the water together. There Philip baptized him. Clearly New Testament baptism is by immersion in water (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
________
*Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2009, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

Lesson for October 21, 2012: Simon Wants to Buy Power (Acts 8:2-24)

Acts 8:2-24

King James Version (KJV)

² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
³ As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
⁶ And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
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.
⁸ And there was great joy in that city.
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:
¹⁰ To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
¹¹ And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
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.
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.
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:
¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
¹⁹ Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
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.
²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
²³ For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
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.

Lesson for October 7, 2012: Stephen Defends His Faith

Acts 6:8-15

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
⁹ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
¹¹ Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
¹³ And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
¹⁴ For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
¹⁵ And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Stephen Defends His Faith (Acts 6:1–7:53)

Stephen Defends His Faith (Acts 6:1–7:53)

Are You really a Brother?

I have been hearing a lot lately about my brother this, my brother that, from some folks that do not know what that really means. (because their actions say something different) If I am truly your brother, then why did you break into my house, steal from me, try to destroy me, lie to me, lie on me, and get mad when I say something about it! If you are truly my brother, sister, etc. if you need something all you have to do is ASK me, not steal from me! The enemy does that, not a brother!

Matthew 12:50 King James Version (KJV)
50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

...

Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

The Dangers of Foot in Mouth Disease!

Today, I am asking all of you that know the words of prayer to be in prayer for those that are in need of Major Surgery today: "Removing Foot from Mouth" Lie so much that they forget what lie they told and on what dates they told them and always have so much to say loud and wrong. Lord help them and Lord help us all.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Psalm 123:3
Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Lesson for September 2, 2012: Faith Calls for Perseverance (Hebrews 10)

Hebrews 10

King James Version (KJV)

10 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

² For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
³ But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
⁴ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
⁵ Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
⁶ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
⁷ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
⁸ Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
⁹ Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
¹¹ And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
¹² But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
¹³ From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
¹⁴ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
¹⁵ Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
¹⁶ This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
¹⁷ And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
¹⁸ Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
¹⁹ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
²⁰ By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
²¹ And having an high priest over the house of God;
²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
²³ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
²⁴ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
²⁷ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
²⁸ He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
³⁰ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
³² But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
³³ Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
³⁴ For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.