The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-09
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST Is.
Lesson Text: sPauI at Jerusalem" :"
Acts XXI, 27-39 - Golden
Text: Phil. l., 20 -
Commentary.

81. And when the ssyen days were almost
ended the Jews which were OF Asia, when
they saw him in the temple, stirred up all
the people and laid hands on him." After
parting with the elders or Ephesus Paul and
his companions continued their voyage and
In due time landed at Tyre In Syria then on
to Ca5ares, where they tarried some days
with Philip and his daughters. after which
they continued on to Jerusalem and we're
gladly received by the brethren. Then that
Paul might not seem to the Jealous lawkeep-
ers to disregard any Of the laws and so pre-
vent their anger he does questionable
thing, which does not accomplish any good
Both at Tyre and at Cesares Paul was
warned by the Holy Spirit not to go to
Jerusalem oversees 4, 1D, but he would not be
persuaded (verse 14).
2S. "Crying out. Men of Israel, help. This
is the man that teacheth all men everywhere
against the people, and the law, and this
place." Not word of truth in either of
that Paul could truly say, "Thsy laid to my
charge things that knew not" i.
29. For they had seen before with him in
the city Trophimus and Ephesian whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the
temple" Their last, charge, therefore, was
grounded on mere supposition. In their
fancied zeal for God they were disobeying
the very commands OF Gods. for 1t is written,
'Let none of you imagine evil against his
brother in your heart" Czech. vii, 10; viii,
17). They knew nothing Of the love which
thinketh no evil, is not easily provoked, re-
joioeth in the truth, hopeth all things q Cor.
Kill, sly.
80. "An,i all the city was moved. and the
people ran together, and they took Paul and
drew him out Of the temple, and forthwith
the doors were shut" How much Of the
kL..o hn t,pao 70 raliOTnn
and apparent zeal for God What righteous
indignation CD and the whole city moved,
but It Is all the work of the wicked one. Be
calm, Paul, for the unseen Almighty One
careth, and leSions OF angels are ready to DO
His bidding. See II Kings vi 16, II, Ps.
xxxiv., Z Math. xvi. So.
81. .And as they went about to kill him
tidings came unto the chief captain OF the
band that all Jerusalem was In an uproar.
Death Is the DEVILS last and worst that he
can do to q child Of God, but even then he
is only black servant to usher us into the
presence OF our Lord, who has taught us not
to fear them which kill the body (Math. x,
28). He has taught us not to be offended IL
we are put out OF the company OF religious
people, and even if they kill US (John xvi,
l,2)
32. "And when they saw the chief captain
and the soldiers they left beating OF Paul. =
This was probably one of the three beatings
| which he speaks of in II Cor. XII, 25 His
back had many scar ere this, but he took
pleasure in all dstressss for Chrlst's sake il
only the power of Christ might rest upon
him CI Cor. xii, 9, 10Y. We do well always
to consider Him thar endured such con-
tradiction Of sinners against Himself lest we
be wearied and faint IN our minds, for not
many OF US have, like Paul, resisted unto
blood (Heb. xiii. 8. 4).
SO. :'Then the chief captain came near and
took him and commanded him to be bound
with two chains and demanded who he was
and what he had done" OF these bonds
also he had been torewarned (verse II and
chapter Xxx. 23), but thess were neither his
first nor his last chains for Jesuss sake
chains were but for time and for the glory
of God, but we road OF everlasting chains for
lost spirits dude 8; II Pet. IL, ~. Not
present suffering. but the eternal is to be
feared (Math. x, 28; XIV, 80, Al Rev. xiv,
10. II XXX, Is; xxi. 81
"a. .:And some cried one thing, some an
other. among the multitude, and when he
could not know the certainty for the tumult
he commanded him to BIZ carried into the
CASTLE" This Is very suggestive OF the tu.
mutt OF to-day among religious people. There
Is such crying OF one thing and another by
higher and lower and no critics, by the dif.
ferent denominations and by the posts and
press that It would almost seem impossible to
know the certainty OF anything, but those
who cling to the book may know and will
know IL they only take God at His word lisa.
viii, 20 Il. w..
IS. And when he came upon the stairs 80
1t was that he was borne Of the soldiers for
the violence OF the people," Violence and
strife In the city, sure enough (Ps w.. 81.
But the day will come when Jerusalem shall
be called city OF truth when her walls shall
be salvation and her gates praise; when the
work Of righteousness shall be peace, and the
effect Of Righteousness, quietness and assur-
I ance forever Czech. viii, 3; sa. TX, lS'
xxxii., 17).
36. IF or the multitude OF the people fol.
lowed after, crying, Away with him !" So
they cried out concerning his Master duke
xiii. 1S, John XIX, 19), and He taught us
that we must expect His treatment II faith
full unto Him John XIV, 20). How few OF
us in these days seem to be counted worthy
OF this honor! Is it because we are 30 little
like Him. so unfathful to testimony. so
mixed up with the world, or is 1t because we
fear suffering for His sake?
81. And az Paul was to be led into the
castle hs said unto the chief captain, May
speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou
speak Greek?" During this .uproar and
tumult Paul was doubtless communiny with
his unseen Friend and Master. His heart
would be saying IL am Inlne, " boru, lOt
Thy service What wilt Thou have, me to do?
(chapter xvii, %; tx, 6)? Captain and
soldiers and angry mob were nothing to him
as compared with his own Captain.
SO. Art not thou that Egyptian which be-
fore these days msdest an uproar and led
dest out into the wilderness 1000 men that
were murderers?" Here is u compliment for
a.faithtul follower OF the meek and lowiy
Jesus. A. man who preached peace and
went about rescuing people from the hands
OF the father OF all liars and murderers
John viii, AZ to be accused OF. being the
leader OF 1000 murderers-that Is q feather
for your cap, Paul, more fellowship with
YOUR Master. Blessed privilege to be mis-
understood and falsely accused If only for
His sake.
80. But Paul said. I am man which am
a Jew OF Tarsus, city in Cllicia, u citizen Of
no mean city. and I beseech thee suffer me
to speak unto the people" Though suffer-
ing in body from the beating and the rough
handling, his heart longed to tell If possible
once more the story Of Jesus The false ac-
cusation was not worth noticing but 1t was
worth while to get another opportunity to
speak OF Jesus Fellow believer we are citl-
zens of no mean city Compare Phil. ill.,, 20.
With Rev xxi, g. Isyour heart 80 stirred BY
this heavenly citizenship that you long
above all things TO speak Of Him?-Lesson