The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-11-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The First Christian Missionaries--Acts 13'
1-lS-Icasan fnr NnxeIuher IA. 16Q2.


sion OF SINS should be preached in His name
among all Lations. Luke 2i:H.
PAUL--Aged 43 lin A. d. 55). From this time
onward in the narrative, he is called Paul Git
tle), Roman name, instead Of Seu his He
brew name. The reason is probably because ho
is to be the apostle of the Gcntiles, ana travel
ing In the Roman empire. The Romans would
naturally use that nanc without any action on
his part.
CrnouMsTANcEs. with chapter is begins the
second part Of the Acts, the history Of missions
to the hcathcn. tits devoted chiefly to the Ia
bors OF Paul After the release OF Peter as de-
scribed IN last lesson, Paul and Barnabas re-
turned from Jerusalem TO Antioch, where they
seem TO have made their headquarters for some
years They brought back with them John
Mark
DocTRrNE.-It is the duty OF Christians to
preach the Gospel to oil the world.
LESSON NOTES.
1. ''The church that was at Antioch.''
This church had been founded eight or
nine years. The Gentiles had been ad-
mitted to the church here for four years,
and great numbers had been added to
the church under Paul and Barnabas.
'Prophcts and teachers:' The prophets
were those with special insight
compare HID. By teachers are
meant stated ard permanent teach
ers, answering somewhat to the
pastor of a modern church 'Symeon
that was called Niger The first
name points ous the man as Of jew
ish origin, and the second is o Latin adj
iective-blacli. "Lllcius of Cyrene:" a
province of Northern Africa. He may
have been one of the men of Cyrene
mentioned Acts 11:1o, 20, as carrying the
Gospel to Antioch. "Manaen:" (the
{ Nf la L.
Israeli "the foster-brother:" Herod
Antipas, son of Herod tie Great, ap-
pointed by his father tetrarch of Cali
lee and Perea. This is the Herod who
murdered John the Baptist.
@ "As they ministered to the Lord:"
in religious service, for the purpose of
learning the Lords will in reference to
His work "And fasted:" Fasting ex-
presses their intense earnestness, their
spiritual hunger which overpowered all
sense of bodily hunger. "The Holy
Ghost said" BY the mouth of some of
the prophets present, or by the impulse
of simultaneous and general inspira-
ton. We must be careful not to limit
the ways in which the Holy Ghost
speaks to us.
8. when they had tasted and
prayed" in special service for that
purpose. And laid hands on them"
as a sign thatothe church thus accepted
them as their missionaries, and pledged
themselves to sustain them by their
sympathy, their prayers, and whatever
aid they might need. "They sent them
away" AS their own missionaries.
4. Sent forth by the Holy Ghost:"
As related above, not the church, not
Paul, but the Holy Ghost originated the
missionary enterprise. "Went down"
(the river Orontes) unto Seleucia:" The
seaport of Antioch, 161l miles distant
in direct line. .'They sailed TO Cy-
prus:" Cyprus lies so t. 100 miles south
west of Seleucia. The inhabitants in
general were Greeks, but vast numbers
of Jews were interspersed.
8. And when they were at Salmias:'
The Greek capital of Cypress on its east
ern shore, nearest Seleucia. "They
proclaimed the word of God:" Gods mes
sage of love and salvation through Jesus
the Christ. I'm the synagogues:" These
were the most convenient places, and it
was also their rule always to offer the
|. Gospel to the Jews first, and then to the
Gentiles ''And they had also john"
John Mark, author of the Gospel ac-
cording to Mark, cousin of Barnabas,
and son of Mary, of Jerusalem (12:12, 25).
"As their attendant" Helper or assist
ant.
8. when they had gone through the
whole island unto Paphos:" Now Baffo,
at the western or opposite extremity of
the island, about one hundred miles
| from Salamis. IA certain sorcerer:"
Rather, magician. The maeicians did
| not merely pretend to foretcll the
| future, but also to influence it. "a
false prophet" Not only one who pre-
tended to foretell but was unable, but
false in character and aims, misleading
men, teaching false doctrines, seeking
only his own profit. "Bar-Jesus:" Son
of Jesus or Joshua
| 8. But Elymas:" An Aralnaic word
meaning a magian, a wise man. THE
sorcerer:" The magian, the magician.
"Withstood them" Because ho saw that
his influence and power were gone, if
Scrgius Paulus accepted the gospel.
o. saul, called PAUL." See introduce
ton. "Filled with the Holy Ghost:"
The original implies sudden access of
spiritual power. "Fastened his eyes on
him." Gazed piercingly, intently.
10. 20 full Of all guile" Deceit, false
ness of character and life. "Villainy:"
Unscrupulousness in evil. ''Son of the
devil" snd like his father in character
and action. Enemy of all righteous
ness" Therefore opposed to Jesus, the
Sun Of Righteousness. "Pervert the right
ways of the Lord" Referring not to
perverting men, but Gods ways with
men to save them.
II. "Dehold the hand of the Lord"
The affection came not from Paul, but
from God. "And thou shalt be blind
not seeing the SUM-" This phrase indi-
Gates total blindness. 'Eor a season"
indicates that this blindness was tenn
porary.