The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 10.

,sson Text: "Paul Prisoner at Jerusa-
lem," Acts kill, 17-30-Golden Text:
Peter w., 18-Commentary on the
Days Lesson by Rev. D. M. stearns.
II, 18. "Make haste and get thee quick
ly out Of Jerusalem, for they will not re-
ceiye thy testimony concerning Me-" In
our last lesson Paul was on his way to
Jerusalem In spite OF the Spirits warning
that he should not 20 (chapter XXI, 4, II,
12). He had not been many davs in Je-
rusalem when the Jews OF Asia laid hold of
him In the temple, drew him out and
would have killed him had he not been,
rescued by the chief captain with band
of soldiers and carried into the castle. He
asked permission OF the captain to speak
to the people, and having obtained it he
addressed them In Hebrew from the castle
stairs. He described his former life and
the manneE Of his conversion, and has now
come to the Lords message to him at Je-
rusalem. The child Of God who Is willing
to be wholly the Lords. may be sure Of the
Lords guidance in all things, and II 1t
should be necessary an angel from heaven
or the Lord Himself will see to 1t.
10. 20. "And said, Lord, they know that
imprisoned and beat in everv synagogue
them that believed on Thee" It Is all right
Is not for US to argue or reason with Him
when He commands us to do anything or
20 anywhere. he knows where and how
He can make the most use OF US. Heknows
who will receive testimony through this
one or through that one, and 1t is for US to
say, Here am I, send me where Thou wilt
and when Thou wilt"
81. "Aud He said unto me, Depart, for
will send thee far hence unto the gentiles."
We cannot expect the full blessing OF the
Lord unless we are ready for that work to
which He has called US (Acts xiii, q. May
1t not be that many ministers who cannot
seem to find an open door at home are be-
ing called far hence to some OF the millions
who have never heard Of Christ and cannot
hear until some one shall tell them? Let
each Christian ask, Gam I really willing
and obedient, and does my heart say hon
estly, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to
do?'"
o. "Away with such fellow from the
earth, for 1t Is not fit that he should live"
That the same privileges should be set be-
fore uncircumcised gentiles as before cir
cumcised Jews was 70 them intolerable,
and 1t was for this same thing that Peter
was called to account (chapter xi., 2, 81.
am not sure but the same spirit in worse
form is seen to-day when people Of one
church or denomination look down upon
and make little of work not done by them-
selves. The ambition Of churches or boards
or societies to excel each other instead Of
all uniting to honor Christ and complete
His church is tainted with the same spirit.
%, "a. "The chief captain commanded
that he should be examined by scourging
that he might know wherefore they cried
80 against him." Paul had been speaking
in Hebrew (xxii., y, Of which language
probably neither captain, centurons nor
soldiers understood word, and the idea
was that little suffering might bring from
him confession Of his wrongdoing. Paul
was certainly having rough time Of 1t, for
he had been beaten by the Jews xxi, 32)
and was now threatened with scourging by
the gentiles.
Is. Is 1t lawful for you to scourge a
man that Is Roman and uncondemned?"
This he said to the centurion who stood by
while the soldiers bound him with thongs
preparatory to scourging him. While Paul
was willing to suffer all that was neces-
sary for Christ's sake, and unjustly, too,
here was something wholly unealled for,
from which his Roman citizenship might
deliver him. I am writing this on the
North Pacific Ocean on my way to Japan
as start on my tour round the world for
Him that serve. carry with me pass
port from the Secretary OF State OF the
United States Government asking all Ma
tions not only to allow me safely and freely
to pass, but In case Of need to give me all
lawful aid and protection. AS child Of
God and citizen Of heaven I feel free to
accept and carry this and use 1t as occa-
sion may require, feeling no lack OF faith
In so doing.
26. "Take heed what thou doest, for this
man Is Roman" Thus said the centurion
- kha okotp Ao poH hno q q
the earth, 80 far are the privileges oi
heavenly citizenship above all those Of
earth. The devil could not touch Job,
neither could he have Simon Peter without
asking permission Of God Dob l., 10; Luke
xii, 81, R. W, and he that toucheth a
child Of God toucheth the apple Of His eye
Czech. H., 81. Let US rejoicel In our heaven.
ly privileges and walk worthy Of them.
27. "Then the chief captain came and
said unto him, Tell me, art thou Roman?
He said, Yea" SO believer should be
ready always to give to every one that ask
eth as definite an answer concerning his
standing In Christ. Paul did not think
or hope that he was Roman citizen. He
knew it and said yes. Any one who has
truly accepted Christ Is accepted In Him
and has redemption, even the forgiveness
Of sins (Eph. l., 6, D. and should never
hesitate to confess 1t to the glory OF God.
1t Is not honoring to God to think or hope
that we are saved. We should know 1t q
John ", 10, 13), and live it and ever gladly
acknowledge It.
%. "And the chief captain answered,
With great sum obtained this freedom.
And Paul said, But was freeborn." The
heavenly citizenship cannot be bought by
money, or good works, or any, merit what
ever on our part. Neither their silver nor
their gold shall be able to deliver them. "
"Not by works OF righteousness, which we
have done" (Zeph. t., 1S; Titus ILL.,, 81. See
also Rom. w., s; Eph. H., 8, 9. The only
way to become child OF God, an heir Of
God and a citizen OF heaven is by a new
birth, birth from above, even as our Lord
said in John ILL.,, 8, 5, 7, and / believe
careful study Of Jas. l., 18; Pet. l., 23
Eph. v, 26, with John vi, 63, will make 1t
very plain that the new birth Is wrought IN
us by the word OF God and the Spirit Of God
concerning our Lord Jesus Christ.
29, 80. Paul was saved from scourging at
that time, and we will In some way be saved
from all that it is not best for US to endure
q Cor. K, 13). The captain was still in
doubt as to the real cause OF the uproar,
and 80 called the chief priests and council
together that he might set Paul before
them. But Pauls testimony before the
council caused such disturbance that the
chief captain had to rescue him again and
bring him to the castle. Then followed the
discovery OF the plot to kill Paul, through
Paul's nephew, and his being sent under
guard OF soldiers to Felix, the Governor az
Casarea. Notice how in the midst OF all
this and OF Paul's seeming disobedience IN
going to Jerusalem at this time the Lord
was with him.-Lesson Helper.
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