The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-19
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
JULY 23.
Lesson Text: tsPaul at Corinth,"
Acts xviii, 1-11-Golden Text:
Cor. L., 1S-Comme ntary.

Atncns and came to Corinth." His testi-
mony was not in vain at Athens. for some
clave unto him and believed. See previou3
verse. He did not expect that all the seed
would fall on good soil q; neither are we 80
taught. But he did know that Gods word
would accomplish His pleasure and not re-
turn void. and that his labor was not in vain
in the Lord Elsa. w.. II; Cor. 1v., 53). His
aim was 'by all means to save some Q Cor.
tx. 22), and this he accomplished. Tha
church OF Christ is made up Of an elect num-
Der out OF all nations, given unto Him out OF
this world (Rev. ", 8; Eph. l., 4: John xviii,
g.. and to this end we, like Paul, should seek
to get the gospel everywhere.
Q. "And found a certain Jew named
Aquila. born In Pontus. lately come from
Italy with his wife Priscilla (because that
Claudius had commanded oil Jews to de-
part from Rome). and came unto them"
We cannot help remarking that after 1900
years the Jews are still commanded to de-
part from cities, and countries on the face OF
the earth. It Is the same sad old story as In
the days OF Paul. It is the fulflllment OF
words spoken through Moses over 5000 years
ago. See Deut. xviii. 63-66. But if the
curse has come so literally and 50 fully the
blessing shall also come, and ':the days of
their mourning shall be ended" ''for He
that scattered Israel will gather him." and
the time it even now at hand elsa. lx., 20, 81
Jer. XXI, 10; Eek. xxxvii., 81. 22).
8. "And because he was of the same craft
he abode with them and wrought, for by
their occupation they were tentmakers."
While Paul believed and taught that they
who preach the Gospel should live OF the
Gospel I Cor. ix., 14), he also took pleasure
in working at his trade that he might min
lister to his own necessities and give the
Gospel freely (Acts Xxx, "a Cor. iv., II, II :;
Thess. H., 9; II Thess. ill.,, 81. It is
great advantage under some circumstances
to bs able to do, this now and thus stop the
mouths OF those who say OF the preacher,
it." I am glad that had three years ex-
perience of ministering to my. necessities by
working seven hours day, that L might
freely give all the rest Of my time to dis
tinctively religious work.
4. And he reasoned in the synagogue
every Sabbath and persuaded the Jews and
the Greeks" He doubtless did as at Thessal-
onics and reasoned out Of the Scriptures,
opening and alleging that Christ must needs
have suffered and risen again from the dead.
and that this Jesus Is the Christ Chapter xviii,
9, 81. From his conversion his one story was
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son Of God (chap-
ter tx, 20-22).
S. And when Silas and Tlmotheus were
come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in
the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus
is the Christ" The R. V. says that he was
constrained by the word" This reminds
us Of jeremiah, who, when the word Of the
Lord was made reprosch unbo him and q
derision daily, said he would not speak any
more in His name, but the word OF God Yves
such fire in his heart that he was constrained
to speak (Jer XIX, 8, 81.
6. And whent they opposed themselves and
blasphemed he shook his raiment and said
unto them, Your blood be upon your own
20 unto the Gentiles." It was his custom
everywhere to preach the gospel to the Jew
first (Rom. l., 1G) and then to the GENTLE.
Compare their conduct at Antioch in Pisdia
(Acts kill, As. 46). When any one Is duly
warned Of danger and refuses to take heed.
his blood Is on himself (Ezek. xxxiii., 4, 81.
Those who obey not the gospel shall be pun
ished with everlasting destruction (II Tness.
l., 8, 81. AS to shaking ones rsiment see
Neh. ". -.
7. .'And he departed thence and entered
into q certain mans house named Justus,
one that worshiped God, whose house joined
hard to the synagogue" When one door is
shut another ls sure TO be open, and some
times, as In this case. next door to the one
closed against US. When the Lord opens Il
door for us, no power can shut 1t, and when
a house or city IL closed against US or our
message we have only to move on In His
name (Rev. ill.,, 8; Msth. <, 14). 1t is not US
that they i'll treat, but Him whose message
we bear Nuke K, 16).
8. "And Crlspus, the chief ruler Of the
synagogue, believed on tho Lord with all his
house, and many Of the Corinthians hearing
believed and were baptized" The chief
ruler cannot always control the other rulers,
whether he be president OF a nation, mayor
Of city or only ruler OF synagogue but
the time will come when there will be Chief
Ruler to whom all others shall yield perfect
obedience. He will be this same Jesus whom
Paul preached. but Hs will then be King OF
Kings and Lord OF Lords. All kings will fall
down before Him; all nations shall serve
Him (Rsv. xix, 16; Pa. lxxii., 11). 1t was
splendid victory for the Lord and His servant
to have the chief ruler and his household re-
ceive the despised Nazarene as Israers Mes
slab. Many must have been helped by tis
example to do likewise Here again, as at
Athens, Paul is privileged TO save some and
help complete the church.
9. ::Then spake the Lord to Paul in tho
night by a vision. Be not afraid. but speak
and hold not thy peace" Hs was probably
being tempted like jeremiah, to whom We
have already referred. He says in Cor. H.,
8, that he was with them in meekness, and
in fear, an y much trembling. His Master
had observed this, and hence this vision and
great comfort. Compare Josh. l., 0; Jer l.,
II. What exceeding great comfort there Is
In these "fear nots" Of our Lord from Gen.
nv., 1, to Rev. j., II, but we get no benefit
unless we appropriate them to ourselves. II
we arc the Lords and in His service, we may
take His promises right to our hearts
10. .iFor am with thee, and no man shall
set on thee to hurt thee, for | have much
people in this city," One OF the largest
promises In the Bible. If not the verY largest.
is the ~ am with you" Of Jehovah. See how
He gave it to Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Isaiah,
Jeremiah. Haggai' and the apostles (Ex. lii,
70 Josh. j.. s Judg. vi, 1G; Isa. xii. 10;
Jer. L.. 8. 10; Hag. l., 10; H., 4; Math.
xviii, 20).
six months teaching the word OF God among
them" He did not teach science nor phi
losophy nor did he lecture upon the great
men Of the day. He did not try to prove
that the books OF Moses and the Psalms had
many authors, and that there must have been
two Isaiahs. bur believing all things written
in the law and in the prophets acts XIV.
14) be taught the Scriptures. He preached
the Kingdom OF God and taught the things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts
xviii, 3l), saving none other things than
those whicn Moses and the prophets did shy
should come (Acts XVI, 22). Lesson
Helper.
EXPLOITATION Is improving tho
popular knowledge Of the Sahara.
Instead Of being largely below the
sea, the greater part Of 1t is from
8, 900 to 5000 feet above that level: