The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-26
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTEIsNATICNA LESSON FOR
OCTOBER 80.
Lesson Text: "The Gospel Preached
1T Antioch" Acts XII. 1880
Golden Text: Acts XII, II
Commentary.

10. ''They which were scattered abroad.
Travelled preaching the Word to none but
unto the Jews only" This takes us back to
chapter viii, IA, where we learn that all ex-
cept the apostles were scattered abroad by
persecution and went everywhere preaching
the Word; but they had not learned that
''every creature" Mark xvi. Is, meant
Gentiles as we'll as Jews. They went under
the orders of Math. K, 5, 6, rather than the
late orders. not understanding that the
kingdom being postponed the Gospel is now
for all, that out of Jews and the Gentiles the
new man, the body or church, may be
formed.
20. "And some Of them spake unto the
Grecians preaching the Lord Jesus" This
was at Antioch. in Syria. Grecians ara
mentioned again in chapters vi, l. TX, 90.
and are said by Young to include all Jews
born cut of Canaan. The preaching in these
days was wholly concerning the Lord Jesus;
there was no lecturing by the preachers up
On the topics of the day
y. And the hand Of the Lord was with
ther, anu great number believed and
turned to the Lord" Ezra learned even in
his day that The hand Of our God is upon
all them for good that seek Him but His
power and His wrath is against all them
that forsake Him" Ezra viii, 22,. See the
latter clause illustrated in Acts xiii, II.
As to the good hand, or the hand tor good,
remember the words of Jesus, Without
Ne ye can do nothing" and be strengthened
by lisa xii, l3.
90. They sent forth Barnabas, that he
should 60 as far as Antioch" 1idings Of
the work of the Spirit of Antioch having
reached Jerusalem, this son of consolation,
who had given himself wholly to the Lord
(Acts iv., 81, 81, is sent forth to strengthen
and comfort them. Barnabas had lett all
for Jesus, had put himself and his property,
too, in the Lords hands for His service.
13 ''Who when he came, and had seen the
grace OF God, was glad, and exaorted them
all that with purpose Of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord" No sinner deserves
to be saved: if we had our just deserts we
would all be sent into the outer darkness,
away from God forever. But the grace or
uudeserved favor OF God brought Jesus to
Calvary in our stead, and every sinner saved
is manifestation Of the grace of God. Being
cleave unto Him as Ruth to Naomi, or as
Ittai to David Ruth l., 16, II; II Sam. xv.,
21) Weare not to follow people nor cleave
unto them, hut laying aside every weight
and besettlng sin, run with patience, looking
unto Jesus Heb. xii, l, 81
a. For he was a good man and full Of the
Holy Ghost and of faith; and muca people
man was Stephen (Acts vi, 81 the light OF
whose life was so bright that the self right
eous hated him unto death. When we are
filled with the Holy Spirit God will be seen in
us (Ial. j., 24) and people will be drawn to
Him. Not all will be drawn in this age OF
election; whosoever will may come, and all
whom God has given to Christ viii come
John ill.,, 16; vi, 81
25. "Tnen departed Barnabas TO Tarsus
for TO seek Saul" A glance at the map will
show Tarsus to be across the bay from Al
tioch, perhaps fifty miles distant. When
Saul first came to Jerusalem after MS con-
version, and the disciples were all afraid OF
him, it was Barnabas that took him and tes-
titled on his behalf and gave the Others con-
foence in him, after which Saul returned to
Tarsus (Acts ix., 26.30,. 1t was but natural
that now Barnaoas, being 80 near to him,
should seek him out as a fellow laoorer.
26. s.And when he had found him he
brought him unto Antioch" The three
noints in this verse are the return to An
tioch; the years work thsre and the name
.'Chrlstian' first used. We are not toll OF
q special work of the Spirit at Tarsus, and
vet we cannot think OF Saul being idle there.
1.-THE wind bloweth where it listeth.' Be-
levers are at first only babes in Christ, and
need to be instructed and built up; this the
brethren did during their year as Antioch, ana
10 doubt many more were addei TO the Lord.
The name of Christ became so proninen5 in
these Gays ttor 1t was fauts manner 70
prove from the Scriptures that Jesus was
the Christ. lx., '22J that tse believers were
called Christians See the name elsewhere
only IN Acts xvi, 2S; Pet. iy., III.
%. And III these days came prophets
from Jerusalem unto Antioch" prophet
is one who speaks for God, VINO represents
God before the people, carrying message
tor God. 1.-The prophet chat hath dream let
him tell a dream, and he that hath my word
let him speak my word faithfully" lhen
spake Haggai, the Lords messenger, III the
Lords message unto the people. saying, | am
with you, saith the LorI" der. xxnl., %;
Hae. J., i3y. You are His prophet If you
bear message from Him.
Is. And there stood up one or them
named Agabus and signihed by the Spirit
that there should be great dearth through
out all the world, which came to pass IN tho
days or Claudlus Caesar" Whatever the
Spirit says will surely como to pass, for THE
council OF the Lord standeth forever, the
thoughts of His neart for all gener ratlons."
srrhe Lord OF Hosts hath sworn, saying,
Surely as have thought, so shall IL come TO
pass; and as have purposed - snail 1t
stanu" (Ps. 111li., IL; lsa. XIV. "a. Jesus
had said that this whole age till He come
again would be characterized by war.
famine, pestilence, etc., but that His people
are not to be troubled (Math. xiv, 6, 81.
90. Then the disciples, every man ac,
cording to his ability, determined to send
relief unto the brethren which dwelt m
Jrdea." Thus the members Of the house.
hold of God minister TO each other, some IN
spiritual things and some in temporal
things. The love that does not love to give
is not the love of God, for 'God so loved
that He gave" 1t is not the Quantity we
give that God notes so mucn as the. heart
that gives it. IF there be first a willing
mind it is accepted according to that a man
hath and not according to that he hath not"
III Cor. viii, ~.
81. (which also they did, and sent 1t to
the elders by the hands Of Barnabas and
Saul" There was not only readiness TO
will, but also performance OF the same.
The religion that only promises but never
performs that vows but never pays, tnat
saws but never does, is only false religion.
1t is faith without works, and therefore
dead: it is hypocrisy. See Jas. l., ~; H.,
1911: John lii, II, il. Christ manifested
His love by giving himself for US. II any
man have not the Spirit Of Christ he Is
mona Of His Il John iii., 10y. - Lesson
Helper. -
Nrw eupdirata haa haan formed