The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-01-14
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for January ~, 1897
"A Multitude Converted-Acts SsSa.A5.

"a Multttudo C0nv0fte0-ACto St01sA1s
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.]
GOLDEN TExT.-The promise IL unto
you, and to your children, and to all that
are afar off.-Acts 2:S9.
THE SECTION includes the remainder
Of the chapter from the end OF our last
lesson.
TIMn.-sunday. May %, A. D. 30. The
day AZ the last lesson, but continuing into
Lesson NOTES.
Peters Sermon.-Vs. 1881. An up
per room, with 120 persons gathered in
It was the scene of a marvellous mir
acle. The sound, the flaming tongues
possibly still remaining, the speaking
in 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:
1. Introductory, a gentle but emphat-
ic and reasonable denial of the charge.
It was based on ignorance of the real
facts. The charge was absurd on the
face of it. The excitement of wine
could produce no such results as were
here manifested. and never did (Vs. IA,
15).
2. The theme was that Jesus of Naz-
areth was the promised Messiah.
8. The Argument. - Because what
1Sn $,,1G ant N$ 1,a
promises in their own Scriptures con-
cerning the Messianic times (vs. 1921.
Because Jesus of Nazareth. who had
sent theSpirit, had proved by His Divine
works that He was the Messiah. God
had set His seal TO the fact ". 22).
Because He was raised from the dead,
as their Scriptures had foretold, and
was now at the right hand of God Tvs.
33-35).
Because of the gilt of the Holy Spirit
of which they had just learned (v. 33).
The Inquirers.-Vs. 37-4O. First. Con-
victed of Sin. 81. "They were pricked."
Pierced as sharp instrument, causing
sharp and sudden pain. "And said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles:"
The meeting now evidently broke up
into fragments, personal conversation
with inquirers following the public SER
mon. "What shaSl we do?" They must
do something. They could not remain
as they were. How can they escape the
danger? Where can they find forgive
ness and peace? Every door of hope
seemed shut in their faces. But a great
deal is done when men begin to inquire.
the way.
Repent" Change your mind and
purpose, and the corresponding con-.
duct. "Be baptised:" AS the rite which
expressed their willingness publicly to-
accept Jesus as their Son and Messiah.
1t was a confession of their faith. en-"
or into, as coming wholly under the
sway of "the name of Jesus (Saviour)
Christ (the Messiah)." For" unto, as,
a result, "the remission of SINS" in,
cluding (D forgiveness, the taking
away of the penalty, and (2) the taking
away of the sin itself, the disposition TO
sin, the love of sin. the practice of sin.
The Young Converts.-V. Al. ''They
that gladly:" The R. v. omits gladly,
as do the oldest MSS. All who received
the Word were baptized, but doubtless
they did it gladly. 1t was the most
joyful act of their lives. Compulsory
religion is no religion. ''Were bap-
tized:" 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 glorious beginning
for the new church.
Picture of the First Christian Church.
VS.. 4e-47. AZ. "They continued stead
fastly:" persistenly against every
hindrance from within and without.
1t 10 steady, persistent work that tells.
not fitful efforts. "In the apostles doc.
trine:"i 1. e., as in R. ", teaching. sand
fellowship:" They were like one low
ing famly. sand 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" R. ", the prayers. OF course,
they prayed in secret; but this doubt
less, refers to praying together.
43. sand fears" Reverential awe in
the presence Of the mysterious power.
working such 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. sand all that believed were to-
gether:" They had one central home;
they constituted a social community
by themselves, separated from the rest
of the people, not by local or physi-
cal barriers, but by their own mutual
sympathies." "And had all things com-
mon:" Looked upon their possessions
not as their own, but held them as sub.
ject to the use of the church as they
were needed.
As. SOLD their possessions" landed
property, "and goods" personal prop
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