The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-20
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
JULY Fl.
Lesson Text: 1.-THE Lame Man
Healed" Acts ILL, 1-16-Gold-
en- Text: Acts ILL.,, 16-
Commentary.

va ASAps Avs ~
Commentary.
1. "Now Peter and John went up togethe
into the temple at the hour OF prayer, beins
time of the evening sacrifice, about thret
o'clock in the afternoon. It was the hour al
which Jesus died on Calvary (Math. xvii :.
1850. We are reminded that prayer car
be acceptable only through the merits oil
Jesus our sacrifice. See Rev. viii, g. 4
Compare David and Daniel praying thres
times day FPS. w., 10: Dan. vi, lOl.
2. "And certain man, lame from his
mothers womb, was carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate Of the temple" This
man, over forty years Of age (chapter w.,
s2, had apparently no thought OF ever be-
ing healed, but desired only the aims Of the
worshipers, that thus he might exc out q
living. We wonder why, when Jesus healed
the man born blind John ix., II, probably
at the same gate, He passed by this man,
who was also afflicted from his birth. Did
He purposely leave this man for Peter and
John to heal?
8. s'Who, seeing Peter and John about to
60 into the temple, asked an aims" How
many there are who are spiritually lame
and like Mephibosheth, lame on both feet
through the fault of another-Adam and
his sin I'll Sam. iv., 4; i1.. 49,; who know
nothing of the Kings table, but desire only
temporal gifts.
4. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon
him, with John said, Look on us.n They
must have passed him many time before,
for he was there every day, but now they
are by the Spirit in them led to give heed
to him. If we were always filled with the
Spirit then God would work in US Phil. H.,
13; Heb. xiii, Ply and we would see many an
opportunity Of making Him known to the
people whom We meet and pass unnoticed
every day.
5. "And he gave heed unto them expect
ing to receive something OF them" 1t was
money be wanted, and for money reached
out his hand, as almost any one will. He
little thought Of the durable riches and
Righteousness prov. viii, 1S, which were
within his reach.
8. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have
none; but such as have give thee; in the
name of Jesus Christ Of Nazareth rise up
and walk" THERE'S something more than
money which can be had without money
lisa. iv., y. Money for which all people
toll cannot give health of body at all times,
and never health Of soul (Ps Xix, 8, n. But
Jesus, Who is heavens riches for body and
soul, may be had by all John l., 12; vi, 81;
Ill, 1e; Rev. xii, ~.
z. "And he took him by the tight hand
and lifted him up; and immediatei his feet
and ankle bones received strength. ."'eI Iod in
Peter reached out the hand to him, <and
wrought through Peter in the name of
Jesus on behalf Of the lame man, according
to Mark xvi, 20. Why may not every be-
lever believing Isa. XII, 13 be used at least in
some measure in the same way. According
to your faith (Math. *. 29.
5. And he, leaping up, stood and walked,
and entered with them into the temple, walk
ing and leaping and praising God" Long
before had the prophet said that such things
as this would come to pass lisa. xxxv. D..
But who can tell ths feelings OF this man
under this sevenfold manifesto ton Of the
power Of Jesuss name? Whatd do we know OF
the power Of this name?
9. 'tAnd all the people saw him walking
and praising God" When God works
nightly people must see it; ami If there are
no works Of God manifest in us, where is
the evidence that God is in US? Ifpeople
glorified God in Paul (Gal. l., 24) why not in
us also? Perhaps we have not PauPs am
bition Phil. l., %; ill.,, s-l4)
10. "And they knew that it was he; and
they were filed with wonder and amaz lament
at that which happened unto him." The
change was marked and unmistakable. Per-
haps some Of them would think Of the man
born blind, whose eyes Jesus mad opened and
be compelled to conclude that this Jesus
although crucifed was yet alive. That Is
what believers are now on earth for, that
the mighty works Of God may be seen in
them and Jesus thus made known III Cor.
iv., 1N.
Ii. And as the lame man which was
healed held Peter and John, all the people
ran together unto them, greatly wonder.
ing" The healed man naturally c.un2 to
healed and the healers. There being bat
little of the power Of God in the church to-
day, the crowd have to be drawn by enter
tainments and suppers and concerts; but let
some OF the power that was seen on this occa-
sion be again manifest and the things which
now disgrace the church shall speedily
vanish.
u. .'Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at
this, or why look ye so earnestly on us?'
Thus Peter spoke to the people as with won,
der they gazed first at the healed man and
then at the apostles. Not knowing God the
invisible, people will gaze upon and wonder
at the visible instruments whom Goa is
graciously pleased to use. And as soon as
the instrument is willing to be magnihed the
power ceases II Cor. j, 2y.
'13. THE God Of Abraham, and OF Isaac,
and of Jacob, the God Of our fathers, had
glorihed His Son Jesus, whom ye delivered
up." With the power Of the risen, ascended
and glori6ed Jesus manifest in the healec
man, Peter now breaches unto them Jesu:
and the resurrection according to the Scrip.
lures of the prophets Verse 1a), urging them
to repsntance and to look for the return OF
Christ to restore all things tverses 1921.
II. "But ye denied the Holy One and the
Just, and desired murderer to be granted
unto your He faithfully and fearlessiy
charges home upon them their sin. not only
of preferring murderer to the Holy One'
Consider the testimony Of men and demons
to the holiness of Jesus, Mark l., 2S, ~;
Math. xvii, 4, 19, 54l.
Is. "And killed the Prince OF Life, whom
God hath raised from the dead; whereof We
ara witnesses" Man cruciaed the Son OF
God, but God raised Him from the dead and
and gave Him glory (Eph. j., 20; Pet. l.,
21J, Saying, "Sit Thou at Ny right hand un'
til I make Thine enamies Thy footstoor US.
cx., /; Acts H., 1886.
IL. And His name, through ia lth IN his
name hath made this man strong Inc
faith of Peter and John in the name OF
Jesus brought perfect soundness to this man
who had been for over forty years cripple.
What has our faith in Jesus ever acco:i-
plished for others? Consider the faith OF
the four in Mark IL, 3, 5. do believe that
the very same Jisus whose name Is won
derful, and for wnom nothing is too wonder
full lisa. i1., 8; Jer. x1Iii., IL is alive TO-
day.-Lasson Helper.
A RIDICULOUS craze is reported to
be spreading in sections of Michigan,
nrnuinr ont. of a desire to raise money