The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-01-14
THE SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
JANUARY IL.
Lesson Text; "a Multitude Convert.
cd Acts H.. 32-47-Goldon
Text: Acts H., 30-Com-
mentary.

MED Him Is the oue who Is chosen by the
Spirit to be H,s m~outhpiece to this multitude.
Being filled with the Spirit takes away all
thought OF self and all fear OF man. He first
quotes from Joelii., 1882. and says here is q
iulhllment OF the words of that prophet. He
then speaks OF Jesus OF Nazareth md the
wonders wrought by God through Him, and
openly charges them with His death. He
then quotes from the words of David In Ps.
xvi. concerning ii $ resurrection aud con-
tinues in the words Of this first verse OF our
lesson.
80. Before Ho died He said that He was
going back to the Father who had sent Him.
and that He would send down from heaven
the Holy Spirit, whom they now saw and
heard in these disciples (John xvi, 5-S).
Here, then, was the evidence that Jesus Of
Nazareth was really the one He professe6 to
be, and not an impostor or blasphemer.
Here was the evidence that He whom they
crucifled was now alive from the dead and
actually in heaven.
"a. 30. David did not rise from the dead.
lie did not spenk OF his own resurrection In
Ps. xvi, but of Him OF whom he said In Ps.
en-, l, "rhe Lord said unto my Lord. Sit
thou on My right and un il | mako thy foes
thy footstool." David, rs to his spirit, Is
certainly in glory, but his body still sleeps
In the dust otthe earth.
SO. Peter, therefore, by the Spirit, insists
that tbs very same Jesus whom they cruel
fled God has raised from tho dead and taken
to HIS wi right haul, thus making him
Lord and Christ and declaring Him to be tho
long promised Son OF David to sit on David's
throne, and tho Son Of Abraham in whom all
the promises to the fathers are to be fui-
filed.
81. The Spirit. by His words through
Peter, took hold of their hearts, convinced
them OF their sin aud led them TO cry out,
"Men and brethren, what shall we dor"
There was no urging on tho part of Peter
that they should come forward to the peni-
tent bench, or raise their hands for PRAYER,
or sign II card declaring their intention to
lead a new life. however helpful these meth.
DDS may sometimes be.
80. When Jesus was on one occasion asked
"What shall we doy" His answer was. "Bc.
lieve on Him whom God hath sent" John
vi. 90, 29l. Peter says, by the same Spirit.
"Iiepent and DO baptizei." which is another
way OF saying, "Believr." To believe that
Jesus was their Messiah would be complete
change of mind or repentance on their pnrt,
outward confession that they had received
Him. To receive Him would secure the for.
g~iveness OF oil their sins John l., y; l John
H.. l2).
SO. The promise il TO all who will come
that they shall in no wise be cast out John
vi, Sd. There were some illustrations OF
households being saved, ia in Gen. VIII, 4;
xviii, 10; xix, II: Joshua H., Is. He cnlis
all who hear and bids them rome without
money and without price. TIE God who
sought out ard restored Adam and Eve, who
sent angels to rescue Lot and his family. who
pleaded 50 earnestly with backslIding Israel
DER. ILL, -, 14). is our God aud the sane
Interchangeable Jehovah.
40. Perhaps some OF tho ''many other
words" He used might be found in ls1. l.. IS:
KILL, %; w., 3. 4: Eek. xxxyl., 26. for those
are the Spirits own words to sinners. Peter
did not think to save the generation or racs
OF Jews, but He did expect. like Paul, to save
some OF them (l Cor. ix., 22l.
Al. Receiving His word, they received lin
and thus became children OF God (John l..
IL; VI, 50; xrii., y; Jns. l., 2il Peinr baps
tized, they confessed Him aud had The aSsur.
ance that He would confess them belore the
Father (Math. x, 32). But think OF 5000
doing so! Would not some evangelisis be
tempted TO make d demonstration over lhat2
Whoever heard Of such a result from one ser.
mon? This was the Lords doing and must
have been marvellous in their eyes.
AZ. "rhey continued steadflslly. that
Is. they believed firmly, for there is no other
way to be established. Compare III Chron.
xx., 20, with lsa. VII, y. This verso seems
to say that they were instructed. They
talkei with each other Of these things, U.s.
peclally OF Him. They commemcrH:od His
death. They were much in prayer. How
sorry they would be that they hal not re-
ceived Him sooner! How they would long
for His return, and with what zeal they
would testify Of Him!
43. The wonders and signs wrought by the
apostles would doubtless DO on the line OF
Mark xvi, 1920, and being such as He Him
self wrought when He was on cath would
add to their testimony that He was still alive,
though invisible. and had all power in
heaven and on earth. Ii was the Lord work.
ing with them and confirming the word with
signs following MARK xvi, %.
a. One great family bound together by
His love to them, and their love to Hun and
to each other, having u great desire to
please Him md that others might receive
Him too. They doubtless believed tnat all
He had was theirs and thus were drawn To
share all they had with each other. Tho
Spirit controlled all, and il was n ~forctGste
OF heaven upon the earth.
40. Earthly possessions lost their W,trac-
ton; they were no use except as they could
use them for Him by spending then upon
His who were in need. The Spirit o! Him
who though He was rich, yet for our saEes
became poor, had taken hold OF them. md
they counted nothings so precious as His love.
and the privilege of showing some love 10
Him. The first gave their own seiSes 10
the Lord I'll Cor. viii. %, and then to each
other by the will Of God. Tho same spirit
to-day would Ill tho treasures OF tho mis-
sion boards end put many workers in The
field. =.
46. With one accord. with cladness and
.singleness OF heart. This described their
daily life of service unto HIN whoa they
had received rs Saviour aud coming King.
1t Is the third time wo have met the phrase
''With one accord" See l., Il; H.. /.
A. Praising God is II good way 10 Draw
people unto Him, AMI thus they will be- added
to tho church. In chapters ", "a; H., "a we
read OF people being added to the Lord. ana
that Is the only renl addition that will s'ani.
Thus they are truly added to the chGrch
which Is the body Of Christ. People NAV %
added to the membership OF a church WIN
out being added to the Lord, but II they be-
come a part OF Christ by faith In lin they
are then a part OF the church, and 1t matters
little what denomination they belong to.
The Lord Ill US with His Spirit TO serve i'm
with gladness and singleness Of heatt.-Lts'
son Helper.
stirring Up tho Mora Claim.