The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-18
THE SUNDAY.SCHOOL.

ID. D.-January Is.-PauI at Miletus.-
Acts 20.28-3S.
%. Take heed therefore. Therefore, be-
cause as Paul felt himself to be innocent
tsee previous verse; the guilt OF neglect
would fall upon them. Unto yourselves.
For only the one who has himself received
salvation can impart it to others: aud he
whose spiritual life is feeble can not give
power to the Church. To all the flock. The
Church Is fold, its members are the sheep,
and Its glorifed head the Shepherd. The
Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God is the agent
In choosing, calling aud sending forth work.
ers in the Gospel. Hath made you. By its
inward call, its recognition through the
Church, its bestowsl of personal gifts and of
fruits from labor. Overseers. In the Rev.
ver., bishops" as the same word is else
where translated, show ing that in the apos
tolic Church there was no distinction be-
tween elders and bishops. The reference of
the word to distinct order of the clergy
came long afterward. To feed the Church.
Literally, so shepherd the Church," the
verb here being from the same word as that
translated flock in the previous clause, Pur-
chased with his own blood. These words
bear mighty testimony to the fact that
Christ was not only man. but also God. ~
1t was divine blood that was shed for as on
the cross; how should We value It'll (2) The
true Church consists of those who have as-
cepted their purchased salvation.
%. For i know. He knew the dangers
impending, both as a careful observer of cur
rents of thought might know them, and as
an inspired prophet, to whom the future was
partly open. After my departing. Tse
word is ambiguous, referring either to his
absence or death, and was perhaps used in
tentionally for that reason. Grievous wolvs.
The ravaging perse cution under Nero, which
within ten years destroyed multitudes, and
caused the faith OF many to wax cold; or else
| the Jewish teacher, who endeavored to per-
| vert the church in the apostles absence.
80. OF our own selves.-FIom the men,
bership OF the Church. but not necessarily
| Though possibly referring to some of the
very elders whom Paul was addressing.
| Speaking perverse things. Asia Minor was
| full of seif-styled philosophers, some of
| whom became Christians, and originated
grave errors in doctrine. Some OF these
| teachers of heresy are named in PauPs later
letters, as Hymenaeus, Alexander, and
| Philetus. They encountered the Gospel
with strange theories, and founded
Practical notes.
Sects of misbelievers. (3) How careful
| should ties cheers be to stand firm on the
] fOrndatioDs of faith
direct others must themselves be vigilant.
By the space of three years. The history &C.
| counts for two years and three months oil
this period, and leaves an additional portion
of unknown duration. Ceased not to warn.
Rev. Ver., ITO admonish;" that is, to point
| Hon md hos 80 Il
them. With tears. These showed both the
earnestnese and the tenderns ss of his preech
ing. (4) The faithful tet cher must alsl
show affectionateness.
80. And now: Now that am leaving,
and can sdmonish you no more. commend
more than take the apostles place. Though
they no longer had Paul, they had Paul's
God to lean upon, which was far better.
And to the word of his grace. That is, the
truths of the Gospel, GODS message of grace
which they had received and could remem-
Der. Which is able. Rather. VINO is able y
for the clause must refer, not the word, bat
to God. To build you up. The foundation
of faith bad been laid. andsnow the structure
OF complete Christian character was to be
reared by the Almighty builder, through the
fundamentally of His word (5) 1t Is the
therefore we should feed upon it constantly
To give you an inheritance. The final glory
! of the redeemed, which will more than com
pensate for all their present trials. Then
which are sanctified. Those who have been
made holy" or fully devoted to Jesus Christ.
(6) Heaven is the abode of holiness, and
none but the holy can enter 1t.
SO. L have coveted. As an example tC
those whom be addressed, and not for self
gloritication, Paul calls attention to his owl
conduct. No nau's silver. He had live,
among them, not to receive from them ba
rrixro hon hn haof np an
Among the Orienta,s luxurious and expen
sive robes are q chief part OF wealth.
"a. Ye yourselves know. Since he hst
lived among them for three years. These
hands. Holding up before them his hand
marked with the signs of toll. Ministeret
made of Paui's trade at Ephesus, but in Act
Is, 3, We learn his occupation, and from va
rious epistles 1t is evident that he supported
himself as q tent-maker in all the place
where he preached; common custom
among Jewish teachers, adopted by Paul SC
that be might be indepenent, and not seen
to be seeking for gain while founding
churches. There was then no missionary
society to support workers in new fields
and no means in the church to maintain it
so that Paups conduct is here no rule TO
our time. ca True religion honors the work
shop no less than the parlor and the pew
Them that were with me- Perhaps referring
to some of Paups fellow-traveIers who wer,
unable to work; or the apostolic company
may have considered themselves as family
and placed their earnings in q commol
, purse.
50. 1 have showed you. Rev. Yer. STA
ell things gave You an example," How
that so laboring. They were urged to labor
not that they might gain, but that the,
might give. Support the weak. That is, th
sickly and feeble in the Church, who are IN
able to support themselves. (S) The Cos
pels first care is for the soul, but il does no
neglect the body. Remember. The use O
this word shows that the sentence which fol
lows had been taught to them by the apostle
The words Of the Lord Jesus. The word
here given are not found In any of the Cos
pels, and form the only sayings of Christ ad
ditionai 70 them which has been reported;
somewhat singular sact, for we might expcc
to ind many utterances of Christ in thu
epistles which refer to him frequently. /
Is more blesse to give than to receive. No
only referring to gifts of money or of mate
rial things. but to all gifts He who empart:
to another enjoys in himself the creates
blessing, whether it be knowledge, or treas
ure. or consolation. or spiritual gifts
Sc He kneeled down. Showing that thi
was one of the pastures of prayer in tn
early Church. and il is the only one definite
L. Ill L