The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-03
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST
Lesson Text: "The Apostles Conf.
dence in God" Acts fv., 19-31-
Golden Text: Acts iv., 81
Commentary.

dence in God" Acts fv., 19-31-
Golden Text: Acts iv., 81
Commentary.
10. "But Peter and john answered and
said unto them whether it be right in the
sight of God to hearken unto you more than
unto God judge ye" Remember that these
are two Galilean fishermen, uulearned aud
ignorant men verse 13, standing in the
presence of the greatest dignitaries of the
Jews religion, even in the presence Of at
least two Of the very men who had Jesus
put to death tverse o., but they have no
fear. They are like the friends of Daniel in
the presence of the king Of Babylon and see
only one thing to do dan. ill.,, 1918, and
are ready to do it. The presence of Jesus
is more to them than the presence Of any or
all of these men. and by His grace they will
do right in His sight
90. For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard" When
jeremiah was reproached for the Word of
'iod he said hastily that he would speak it
no more, but it was fire in his bones, and
he could not keep quiet Jer. Xxx. 8, 81. So
it was with these men and with Paul Il
John j., 1-3; Acts XIII, 15). If then we can
easily keep quiet the question is have we
seen in Jesus nothing worth mentioning? II
So how different from that man Of Gadera,
who published through the whole city how
great things Jesus had done unto him luke
viii, 81.
81. 80 when they had further threatened
them they let them 60, finding nothing how
they might punish them, because Of the peo-
ple-for all men glorifed God for that
which was DONE" How often the people
are ready to believe but are kept back by
the rulers. There would be many more be-
levers in full Gospel TO-DAY if they were
not kept back by the blindness and false
teachings of many preachers. As in Jer-
emiah's day the prophets lied in the name of
the Lord and perverted His words, so it Is
now Jer. xiii, l6, 81, 25, 36. And like
those rulers they would fain shut up these
who SPEAK the whole truth.
%. "For the man was above forty years
old on whom this miracle OF healing was
Showed" Jesus healed people who had been
years luke viii, 43; xiii, 16; John ", s.,
but this notable case he LETT for Peter and
John; handful on purpose for these glesn-
ers in His field Ruth H., 16). There is moth
ing too hard for the Lord tJer. xxi, IN,
and when we meet special difficulty let us
see in it great opportunity for God to work
and glorify Himself.
%. "And being let go they went to their
own company, and reported all that the
They knew just where to find their friends,
and without hesitation they seek those who
were gathered in Jesus's name, and who were
perhaps praying for the prisoners. Think
Of Jesus at the age Of twelve not found
with the other boys, but with the learned
men in the temple, and probably asking
some wonderful, gu sstions( Luke H.. 49,.
"a. And when they heard that they
lifted up their voice to God with one accord
III H<>l hoo
made heaven and earth and the sea, and all
that in them is." They think at once of
their great and faithful Creator to whom
Peter in one of his epistles teaches us to
commit our souls II Peter iv., l9l Compare
Iss. xxxvu., 16: 1I., %; xiii, 5. q; Jer.
xxi, u. They evidently believed that
their God had power to do as He pleased
both in heaven and on earth (Dan w., 35,.
25. 'Who by the mouth Of thy servant
David hast said, Why did the heather rage.
and the people1magine vain things?' Ob.
not David's words. The words were
the words of God. Compare Ex. iv.,
~: II Sam. xiii, :: Jer. ] , 9; John Xii,
40, and be foolish enough in r6e eyes of
earth's wise men to believe in verbal in
spiration.
26. "The kings OF the earth stood lip and
the rulers were gathered together against
the Lord and against His Christ" See in
the third verse of rhis second psalm from
which we are quoting how He that sltteth
in the heavens laug at all mans vain and
puny efforts against Him. Compare lisa.
viii Q. 10. 11xvii., 3a-95: E1. xiv, -.
" hen will men learn that all thoughts
against God are vain thoughts and must
perish. Surely it is very evident the
carnal mind Is eumlty against Goa" (Rom
viii, -.
Il. For truth against Thy holy child,
Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod
and Pontius Plate, with the Gentiles and the
people o. Israel, were gathered together
There was tul.ilIment OF part OF Ps. ii. in
the treatment or Jesus by Jews and Gentlles
at His cruc,tix xion. So surely shall verse 3
he fulfilled when Jesus shall sit on David's
throne at Jerusalem Luke j., 80 33, and
versts S. 9 shall also be fulfilled when ne
COMES Ill glory. trnging all His saints With
Him REV. H., 20 20.
2S. For t. DO whatsoever Thy hand and
Thy counsel determined before To be done"
God declares the end from the beginning,
ana from ancient times the things that are
not vet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all my p.easure" lisa. Xvi. 10y.
And vet men are iree to accept or refuse
His gracious invitations Of mercy John ",
4U: Luke xiv, lS; John ill.,. 16I. AS surely as
CHRIST suffere 20 surely snail he reign ont
only sucn as suffer with him shall reiei. with
Him III Tim. u, J.
90. "And now. Lord, behold their thr eat
enings, and grant unto Thy servants, that
with all boldness they may speak Thy
wordr 1t is the Word Of the Lord that
shall do the work, for it is the same word
that made the heavens FPS xxxiii., O.. The
Word Of God in the power Of the Spirit Is
the Fire and Hammer that breaks the rock
in pieces Jer. xiii, 81. As to all threat
ening words or letters, we have only to say,
Lord, behold them! Just spread them be
fore Him, and let Him see to it Use. xS1vii.,
Il: Ps. 1xxvii :, 81.
80. "By stretching forth Thine hand to
heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done by the name of Thy Holy Child Jesus"
They remembered His promise concerning
signs and wonders in Mark xvi, II, Is.
81 "And when they had prayed, the
place was shaken where they were assembled
toye..her, AMI they were all filled with the
Holy Ghost, and they spake the word OF
Con with boldness." An immediate answer
to their prayer, as in the case OF Daniel and
Elijah dan. tx, 81; ! Kings xviii, 81. 3sl.
The topic upon wdich they spake is given
in verse 80, and makes Us long to know
Him and the power of His resurrection. but
it cannot be apart from the fellowship OF
His sufferings lPhil. ill.,. lO. Yet tremble
not at the thought, for the glory will far
exceed the sufferings Rom. viii, lS), and
where His love leadeth we surely cannot
fear tn follow Lesson Heloer.