The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-31
SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
APRIL 4.
Lesson Text: "Peter Working Mira
cles," Acts tx, 32-43-Golden
Text: Acts tx, 81
Commentary.

49, "And it came to pass as Peter passed
throughout all quarters, he came down also
to the saints which dwelt at LYDIA. Inc
last we heard Of Peter be was with John
preaching the word OF the Lord as they re-
turned from Samaria to Jerusalem, having
witnessed the great work OF the Loro
through Philip in Samaria (chapter will,
25). In Jerusalem the number OF disciples
multiplied greatly, and great company OF
the priests believed (chapter vi, y. In all
the land the churches had rest, and wore be-
ing built up, and were multiplying, walking
in the fear OF the Lord and in the comfort Of
the Holy Ghost (chapter ix., 3I. Peter
seems to be itlnerating little and helping
the saints here and there. Notice this name
''saints." We nre not called to be saints,
but we are called saints (Rom. l., z, omlttln8
the italics; also 1 Cor. l., p by virtue of our
oneness with Christ. Every believer Is
saint.
ss. "And there he found a certain man
named Enas, which had kept his bed eight
wears and was sick Of the palsy" Wewould
infer that Enas was one of the saints to
whom Peter came, and finding him In this
helpless condition he had compassion upon
him. Possibly Enas and others had been
praying TINT the Lord would send some one
that way through whom health might come,
remembering Math. xviii, 10. How very
suggestive Of the utter helplessness OF the
sinner is the condition OF this paralytic who
had been eight years in bed.
"a. "And Peter said unto him, Enas,
Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Arise and
make thy bed. And he arose Immediately"
Peter was greatly used of the Bord In
the healing OF the body rs we'll as OF the
soul. See chapters ill.,, 6, 7; ", Is, 16. 1t
would seem that some were healed even by
the shadow of Peter falling upon them.
95. "And all that dwelt at LYDIA and
SaroD saw Him. and turnsd TO the Lord.
God saw that this showing forth OF His
power through Peter would be the means OF
many turning to Him. He does not heal all
who are sick, but to this day He does, both
with and without medicine, heal many who
are sick. he knows whether it Is best for us
to abide here or be with Him ut home, and
whether, abiding here, 1t Is best for US to be
sick or we'll. The great thing is to gloritY
God that people may turnto Him (Phil. l.,
20; John xviii, 4).
Sc. "Now, there was at Joppa certain
disciple named Tabitha, which by interpre'
tation is called Dorcas. This woman was
full OF good works and aims deeds which
she did," She was Christian indeed, one
of the kind that is missed when she goes
away. All who truly receive Christ are
saved (John l., 12). Disciples are those who
live npon His word ard follow Him fully at
any cost duke xvi, 26, 27). Those who are
both OF these and also full OF good works
and kindness to the poor must come speci.
nlly near to the heart OF Christ. for he, be.
ing full OF the Spirit, went about doing good
and healing the oppressed.
81. "And 1t came to pass in those days that
she was sick and died, whom, when they had
washed. they laid her in an upper chamber"
Her workdays over, she Is absent from her
body and present with the Lord; she has de-
parted to be with Christ, which Is far better
iPhil. l., 21, %; II Cor ", 81; she has truly
experienced a great gain. We are not told
II her sickness was long nor if she suffered
much, but sho has gone from them, and all
they have OF her is the body in which she
lived and wrought among them. No, they
have also her good works and blessed mem
ories OF her.
So. "They sent unto him two men, desir>
ing him that he would not delay to come to
them" LYDIA was not far from Joppa, and
the disciples, hearing that Peter WAS there,
sent thus urgently for him, for they longed
to have Dorcas with them once more. This
Is the natural longing OF the heart to keep
our loved ones with US even though we know
that their departure is their gain.
SO. gall the widows stood by him weeping
and showing the coats and garments which
Fondly remembered by what she had done,
they make US think OF the words: "Blessed
are the dead which die In the Lord from
henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they
NAV rest from their labors. and their works
to follow them" (Rev. xiv, 13).
40. "She opened her eyes, and when she
saw Peter she sat up" Many miracles OF
healing had been wrought through Peter,
but this is his first case OF resurrection from
the dead. Alone with the dead body, ne
poured out his soul to God, doubtless plead
ing the promises of God, the commission IN
Mnth. K, 8, the assurance OF John XIV, IL.
and iwithal asking In complete submission TO
the will Of God John xiv, 13, IA; I John ".
ii, 15). He must have received some assur-
ance that his request was granted, for he
turned to the body and said, "fabitha,
arise" And she sat up, looking upon him:
Al. And he gave her his hand and lifted
her up, and when he had called the saints
and widows presented her alive" There are
three resurrections OF the dead ID the Old
Testament, three In the life OF Christ. and
this is the first of three after his ascension
(Acts XIV, 10, 20; XX., 12). We have no
# cord of any utrerances OF those who had
been dead and had been brought back to this
world. Paul says it was not possible for him
to utter what he heard in paradise Ql Cor.
xii, A., doubtless when he was stoned to
death at Lystra. :,
AZ. "And it was known throughout all
Joppa, and many believed in the Lord" The
resurrection of Lazarus led to many believ-
ing on Jesus (John Kill, I'D, and here Is an
oth"r case in which the Lord saw that res
direction would he the means OF leading
many to Him. 1t does not seem ms II Dorcas
would have been sent from paradise back to
earth without her consent. She may have
been informed of the results that would fol-
low. and for the sake OF winning these souls
10 Christ for Christ's sake she doubtless came
back cheerfully tor His pleasure. We DO not
know OF any results from the resurrection or
tke,many who rose when Christ did (Math.
xvii, 50. 5S), but there was a reason for
their resurrection, and no doubt the result
which God intended. think they went with
Christ to glory. while the nine previously re-
ferred to probably died again.
49, "And 1t came to pass that he tarrled
many days in Joppa with one Simon, tan
ner." And here we will find him in our next
lesson. Preaching the gospel, healing the
sick, raising the dead or just tarryinS with
Simon, he IS about his Masters business and
doing as occasion serves him, knowing that
God is with him Il Sam. ~, D.-Lesson
Helper.
tNcr DhED