The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-09-30
1HE sabbath SCHOOL LESSON
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 3.

Jerusalem" Acts xxi, 1-l5-Golden
Text: Acts xxi, 13-Commentary ON
the Lesson by the Rev. ID. M. Stearns.
IS. "And when It came to pass that we
were parted from them we sailed unto
Syria AID landed at Tyre. for there the
ship was to unlade her burden" This is a
summary OF these three verses. quoting
from the r. Y. He was fastening. II 1t
were possible. to be at Jerusalem by the
day Of Pentecost (chapter XXX. I6), but as
they were dependent upon the possibility
OF finding vessel about to sail in the d.
rection In which they wished to journey.
and upon favorable winds, it would not
seem to us much like making haste.
1. "And finding disciples, we tarried
there seven days, who said to Paul through
the Spirit that he should not go up to Je-
rusalem." The Gospel had reached and
been received by some In this city, and so
the travellers and the residents were at once
friends. for there Is no bond like the blood
OF Christ. His redeemed ones are all citi-
zens OF heaven, but pilgrims. and strangers
here Phil. ILL.,. 20. r. "; Pet. H.. III. But
here Is n strange message to Paul which
makes us think Of chapter xvi. @. Z. when
the Spirit suffered him not to 60 into Asia
or Bithynia. In that case he was obedient.
Let us see how he acts now.
anu WutH We ltu uttOUl plSUNu InOSP
days We departed and went our way. =
and We kneeled down on the shore and
prayed" The Spirit had not said to stop at
Tyre. nor to proceed no farther, so II was
all right to move on. How touching this
parting scenei Men, women and children
accompany Paul and his companions
out OF the city, and all kneel on the
shore In prayer. SO In chapter xx., SO. before
leaving the elders OF Ephesus he knceled
down and prayed with them all.
6. "And when we had taken our leave
one OF another we took ship, and they re-
turned home again." These believers ut
Tyre may have been part OF the result OF
the visit OF our Lord (Math. xv., 2l-2S), or
who were scattered at stephens death
(Acts WILL, ~. There is just one thing for
disciples to be doing, whether at home or
abroad. and that is to walk worthy OF
our calling and show ourselves approved
unto God q Thess. H.. ~: III Tim. H., l5).
z. "And when we had finished our voy-
age from Tyre We came to Ptolamais and
saluted the brethren and abode with them
one day." Brief but blessed visits OF mon
OF God and foretastes OF the eternal fellow
ship Of the future. There would be but ono
topic OF conversation the kingdom of God
and the things concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ (Acts xviii, 80. but one book. the
Scriptures, and doubtless much prayer.
The believers would be. encouraged to be
steadfast and to do all in their power to
give the Gospel to others.
8. "We entered into the house OF Phillip,
the evangelist. which was one Of the seven,
and abode with him." Leaving Ptoemais,
they came to CRsarea which seems to be
Philips home. The last we heard OF him
was preaching in the cities from Azotus to
Cnsarea after he had led the treasurer Of
Queen Candace to Christ (Acts viii. 4O).
He Is still known as n bearer OF glad It'd
ings and was doubtless continually at 1t.
Why should not every believer be in some
large sense an evangelist, an ambassador
for Christi
9. "And the same man had four daugh.
ters, virgins which did prophecy" Daugh.
ters as we'll as sons are included In the
promise OF the gift OF the Spirit Ooel H..
2S; Acts H., ~. In the Old Testament
Miriam, Deborah and Huldah and In the
New the women whom He sent from the
sepulcher, and Priscilla and others are
notable examples OF women whom He used
as His messengers.
10, II. "Thus said the Holy Ghost, so
shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man
that owneth this glrdle and shall deliver
him into the hands OF the gentiles." Thus
testified q prophet named Agabus, who came
down from JudRa. and being with these
disclpies took Paul's girdle and significant
ly bound his own hands and feet with the
same. Thus for the second time Paul IL
warned not to go up to Jerusalem, and 1t IL
the Holy Spirit who tells him not to go.
~. "And when we heard these things
both we and they OF that place besought
him not to go up to Jerusalem" Now II IL
possible for a man to stand alone with God
and be all right, and It Is possible for man
to think he Is standing with God and be
standing with himself.
IS. "Then Paul answered, What mean ye
to weep and to break mine hearth for | am
ready not to be bound only, but also to die
at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Je-
sus." This is certainly right attitude Of
soul for a believer, and the only right atti-
tude--to be ready for life or death, pros
perity or advcrsity, II only God is gloriled
thereby-but my perplexity here is to know
what was the heartbreaking part OF this
affair to Paul. Was he so set upon getting
to Jerusalem at this particular time
that his heart would break il he did
not accomplish 1t, or was he so set
upon doing the will OF God that his heart
would break II he failed to do it2 Ii the
latter, then why not accept the voice OF tho
Spirit at Tyre and CTsarea and be satisfied
to be subject to the Spirit in this matter?
Is not perfect submission to the will OF God
the highest mission on earth? As one has
said;
Is not His will the wiscst; is not His way
the best?
And In perfect acquiescence is there not per.
feet rest?
IA. "And when he would not be per.
suaded we ceased, saying, The will OF the
Lord be DONE" Both Paul and Barnabas
could not be right in the matter OF John
Mark (Acts xv., BAD, and both parties
cannot be right in this case, but the breth'
rem yield to Paul and appeal to God. 1t is
good to say, "Thy will be done" but 1t is
better to do It without resistance. 1t Is
good to say, ut is the Lord; let Him do
what seemeth Him good" but 1t is better
to be wholly In His hand that He may un.
hindered do what seemeth Him good. The
after developments and the years OF wait.
ing as a prisoner (Acts xiv, 27), nll seem
to Indicate that this going to Jerusalem ut
this time was of Paul and not OF God.
15. "And after those days we took up
our carriages [R. ", our baggagel and
went up to Jerusalem" The Lord will
neither fail nor forsake His people, even
though they do not see His will clearly,
provided they really want to honor Him,
and Paul certainly wanted to-. magnify
Christ, even unto dying for Him. See
therefore the gracious visits and messages
of the Lord to His servant in his sore trou-
~ l. 4, xxxvtt III hnty