Allowing the probability
that Simon was known to favour the cause of
Christ, I have no means of ascertaining whether
he were a Jew or a Gentile: for ecclesiastical
history furnishes nothing respecting him beyond
what is furnished by the evangelists. In the book indeed of the Acts of the Apostles, where the
prophets and teachers in the Church of Antioch
are enumerated, there are mention of "Simeon that was called Niger;" and many have imagined that
this might be "Simon the Cyrenian"--the surname
Niger, or black, being
thought to accord with the birthplace; for Cyrene was a city and province of Libya in Africa. If
this identity were determined, there would be no
doubt as to Simon's having been a Jew: but
itis merely the resemblance in name which has
led to the supposition; and even
this resemblance is insufficient to support
any theory; for the same Evangelist speaks of
Simon the Cyrenian, and of Simeon, called Niger. We must therefore be content to remain ignorant
in regard of the individual who bore the cross of Christ; and we may find that this
ignorance will not interfere with the lessons
to be drawn from the occurrence. Simon's Mother
must have taught him from a child to love Jesus,
It is obvious that he was a follower of christ
because he was there to carry his cross. How
close are you to Jesus?
Allowing the probability
that Simon was known to favour the cause of
Christ, I have no means of ascertaining whether
he were a Jew or a Gentile: for ecclesiastical
history furnishes nothing respecting him beyond
what is furnished by the evangelists. In the book indeed of the Acts of the Apostles, where the
prophets and teachers in the Church of Antioch
are enumerated, there are mention of "Simeon that was called Niger;" and many have imagined that
this might be "Simon the Cyrenian"--the surname
Niger, or black, being
thought to accord with the birthplace; for Cyrene was a city and province of Libya in Africa. If
this identity were determined, there would be no
doubt as to Simon's having been a Jew: but
itis merely the resemblance in name which has
led to the supposition; and even
this resemblance is insufficient to support
any theory; for the same Evangelist speaks of
Simon the Cyrenian, and of Simeon, called Niger. We must therefore be content to remain ignorant
in regard of the individual who bore the cross of Christ; and we may find that this
ignorance will not interfere with the lessons
to be drawn from the occurrence. Simon's Mother
must have taught him from a child to love Jesus,
It is obvious that he was a follower of christ
because he was there to carry his cross. How
close are you to Jesus?