The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-06
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
SEPTEMBER 10.
Lesson Text: "Paul at Rome," Acts
xviii, 2O-31-Golden Text:
Rom. l., documentary.

for you to see you and to speak with you. De-
cause that for the hope OF Israel am bound
with this chain" During the three months
at Malta many miracles were wrought by
Paul in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
many must have heard the gospel Oversees l.
11). In due time arriving at Rome, Paul
was suffered to dwell by himself with a
soldier that kept him, and after three days
he called together the chiefs of the Jews and
made known to them why he was a prisoner
and why at Rome. Before Agrippa he had
spoken Of the hope of the promise made OF
God unto the fathers as something concern
ing the 12 tribes (xxvi. SD.
81. sand they said unto him, We neither
received letters out OF Judea concerning
thee, neither any OF the brethren that came
showed or spake any harm Of thee" They
did not have daily papers with the news from
all the world In each issue. 1t may have
been some comfort to Paul to know that
tongues In this part OF the world had not yet
opened fire On him. He had been enjoying
bis share of 1t elsewhere and had found some
pleasure In 1t Oh Cor, xii. 10Y.
%. "But we desire. to hear Of thee what
thou thinkest, for as concerning this sect we
know that everywhere 1t is spoken against"
In chapter XIV, 5, the followers Of Jesus are
not been spoken against at Rome up to this
time. 1t would now be evident to him that his
Master had, and his fellowship would besure
to come. But Paul was ready, for his prayer
was to know Him, and the power OF His
resurrection, and the fellowship Of His suf-
ferings phil. ILL.,, 10Y.
%. "He expounded and testified the king
dom OF God, persuading them concerning
Jesus both out OF tho law of Moses and out OF
the prophets from morning until evening"
Having gathered unto him In his lodging
xofT r. H. ls1 o.
preached unto them Jesus as Son Of David
and coming King from their own Scriptures
(chapter xviii, 2, 8; xix, 8; xiv, 14).
Doubtless Acts xiii, 16-41. Is fair sample of
his preaching and reasoning. BE sought to
convince them that Jesus OF Nazareth was In
deed the promised Messiah. that 1t was all
foretold that He should die and rise again.
and that now they we're to receive Him, serve
Him patiently and faithfully and wait for
His return (Acts ILL, 1921; I Thess. l., Q, 10;
Titus IL. 11-13).
a. 'And some believe the things which
we're spoken, and some believed not" We
are nowhere taught that the good news will
be universally received in this age. Some
seed will fall by the ways;de and some on
rocky soil, but a portion will find good
ground some will be saved, and the church
shall be completed (Math. xiii, 1923; Cor.
TX, 30; Eph. ", 27). Even in the next age,
when satan shall be bound there will be de-
ceivers who will only yield feigned obedi-
ence and will follow satan when he comes
out OF the pit ops. Xvi, 8, margin ; Rev. Ky,
7,S).
25 "And wnen they agreed not among
themselves they departed after that Paul had
spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost
by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers"
That 1t was not the prophets who spake or
wrote, but God by His spirit through the
prophets is everywhere taught. Compare
Acts l., H., II: iv., 25, and notice who it Is
that speaks. David In his last words said,
1.-THE Spirit Of the Lord spake by me, and
His word was in my tongue" III Sam. xiii,
q. Peter says it was the Spirit of Christ VINO
spoke through the prophets Il Pet. l.. 10. ~.
26. 'Hearipg ye shall hear and shall not
understand, and seeing ye sha y see and not
perceive" 1t WAS not very encouraging to
the prophet to be told that the people would
neither perceive nor understand his message,
but Jeremiah and Ezekiel had thesame pros
pect before them. ';They shall fight against
thee" "The house of Israel will not harken
unto me" DER. L., 19; Eek. ILL.,, y. The
messenger Of the Lord has only to~delirer
the message faithfully (Jer. xiii, 2S), sure
that it will accomplish the Lords pleasure
Elsa. w., 1D, and take refuge and comfort in
Luke K. 16.
81. '.For the heart OF the people is waxed
gross, and their ears are dull OF hearing, and
their eyes have they closed, lest should heal
them" The difficulty is not on Gods side,
but wholly on the side OF man, who will not
listen to God. It is written that the Lord
hardened the heart OF Pharaoh and also that
Pharaoh hardened his own heart (EX. x. l,
20, 27 viii, Is, 32.) The Lord did it by CIV
ing him q command which he would not
obey. and Pharaoh did it by refusing to obey
the Lords command. God Is always right,
but man wrong.
%. BE it known therefore unto you that
the salvation OF God Is sent unto the Gen.
tiles, and that they will hear it" Compare
chapter xiii, 4G, At. ITO the Jews first,
was Paui's motto and custom (Ron. l.. l6).
Had it been continued to this day who can
tell what the result might have been? Obedi,
ence is our part. Results arc with God. ana
He will see to it. That God would gather
from Jews and Gentiies without distinction
and on the ground OF simple faith in Christ
those who would form the body OF Christ was
mystery revealed to Paul Rom. xvi, 20,
26 Eph. iii. 1-12.)
90. "And when he had said these words the
Jews departed and had great reasoning
among themselves" The word preached
does not profit unless it is mixed with faith
in those who hear 1t (Heb. iv.. 2.) The
weapons Of our warfare are intended to cast
down reasonings and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge CT God
and bring into captivity every thought to the
obedience OF Christ (II Cor. K, 5, margin. }
To profit by the word we must receive it with
meekness (Jas. l., 21.)
80. And Paul dwslt two whole years in his
own hired house and received all that came
in unto him. doubtless accomplishing the
will of God and glorfying God as much as
when journeying through Asia and Macedo-
mia. Being no longer able to go to people,
God brought people to Him, and though he
was bound he rejoiced that the word OF God
was not bound III Tim. H., 81.
81. preaching the kingdom OF God and
teaching those things which concern the
Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence. 40
man forbidding him. The adversary can
not hinder beyond Gods permission, and 1t
was His pleasure that for these two years the
word should have free course. The book
opens with Jesus between His resurrection
and ascension preaching the Kingdom. and
with the question OF the disciples. Lord,
wilt Thou ut this time restore again the
kingdom to Israel" (Acts l., 3, 81? 1t closes
with Paul 1T Rome in II hired house still
preaching the kingdom. After these lo00
years we ara still more or less bound. but
preaching Jesus Christ and still waiting for
the kingdom while we continue to pray:
'sThy kingdom conle" II We had more OF
Paul's spirit and faithfulness. we would do
more to hasten the Gdom.-Lesson
HELPER