Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-01-14
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for January II. 1897
"A Multitude Conver1ed-Acts 2:32-47.

/ SOLDEN 1E&I.-Ihe promise IS unto
are afar off.-Acts 2.39
THE SECTION includes the remainder
Of the chapter from the end Of our last
| lesson.
TIME.-sunday. May q. A. D. 30. The
feast Of Pentecost. Whitsunday The same
Gay - the last lesson, but continuing into
| the days following.
LESSON NOTES.
Peters Sernon.-Ns. 1881 An up
per room, with 100 persons gathered in
it, was the scene of marvellous mir
acle. The sound, the flaming tongues
/ possibly still remaining. the speaking
/ il all languages by unlearned people,
were like the ringing Of the great bell
| Of the universe" as John Foster puts
it. and drew crowds around the house.
Naturally, those who heard languages
they could not understand. and who
were not in sympathy, imagined that
/ the disciples were speaking drunken
nonsense.
| Peters sermon may be thus outlined:
/. Introductory, gentle but emphat.
ic and reasonable denial of the charge.
1t Was based on ignorance of the real
| facts. The charge was absurd on the
face of il. The excitement Of wine
could produce no such results as were
here manifested, and never did (Vs. IA,
80.
2 The theme was that Jesus Of Naz-
areth was the promised Messiah.
3. The Argument. Because what
they saw was the fulfllment Of the
promises in their own Scriptures con-
corning the Messianic times Tvs. 16-2I).
Because Jesus of Nazareth. who had
sent Spirit, had proved by His Divine
works that lie was the Messiah. God
had set His seal to the fact (Y. 22D.
Because He was raised from the dead.
as their Scriptures had foretold, ana
was now at the right hand of God US.
1880.
because of the gift of the Holy Spirit
Of which they had just learned (V. 80.
The Inquirers.-Vs. 31-40 First. Con-
victed Of Sin. 81. They were pricked. :
Pierced as a sharp instrument. causing
sharp and sudden pain. And said unto
Peter and 20 the rest of the apostles:"
The meeting nov evidently broke up
into fragments, personal conversation
with inquirers following the public SER
mon. What shall we do?" They must
do something, They could not remain
as they We're. How can they escape the
dauger2 Where can they find forgive
ness and peace? Every door Of hope
seemed shut in their faces But 4 great
Zeal IS done when men begin 10 inquire
the way.
"Repent:" Change your mind and
purpose. and the corresponding con
duet. "Be baptised:" As the rite which
expressed their willingness publicly to
accept Jesus as their Son and Messiah
1t was confession of their faith, IN
or into. as coming wholly under the
sway of ''the name of Jesus (Sayiour)
Christ (the Messiah" For" unto. as
result, "the remission of sins" in
Guiding (l) forgiveness, the taking
away of the penalty, and (e) the taking
away of the sin itself, the disposition 10
sin. the love of sin. the practice Of sin
The Young Conyerts.-V. Al. "They
that gladly" The II. V. omits gladly.
as do the oldest MSS. All who received
the Word We're baptized, but doubtless
they did it gladly. 1t was the most
joyful act of their lives. Compulsory
religion is no religion. Were bap-
TIED" as the profession Of their faith.
and their new life in Jesus 1t is NOT
said that they were all baptized in one
day. They were added" to the num-
Der of Christians Three thousand
souls" This was a glorious beginning
for the new church.
Picture of the First Christian Church.
e. - 4
lastly" persistently against every
hindrance from within and without
It is steady, persistent work that tells
not ftful Efforts In the apostles doe
trine:" i, e.. as in L. r.. teaching And
fellowship:" They were like one low
ing family And in breaking OF
bread" The New Testament phrase for
the Lords Supper, in remembrance of
jesus, a new conservation of His serv-
ice, new inspiration of love And in
prayers: Il. v, the prayers. Ofcourse,
they prayed IN secret; but this doubt
less, refers 10 praying together.
4S. And fear:" Reverential awe in
the presence Of the mysterious power,
working snch wonders of grace and
love. And many wonders:" Miracles
which awakened wonder in those who
saw them, and thus drew the attention
Of the people.
a. And all that believed we're to-
rcther:" They had one central home;
they constituted q social community
/ by themselves, separated from the rest
Of the people, not hy local or phvsi-
cad barriers, hut by their own mutual
sympathies" And had all things com
mon" Looked upon their possessions
not as their own. but held them as sub
! iect to The use Of the church as they
were needed.
/ 45 sold their possessions" landed
property, "and goods" personal prop
erty. And Iarted:" distributed
'them IS every man had
reed" whether citizens ar strangers.
t"D;d car the5r meat;' s. s. took their