The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-07
SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
APRIL IL.
Lesson Text: "Conversion OF Corne-
lius," Acts K, 3O-44-Golden
Text: Acts T., Accom-
mentary.

Text: Acts K, Accom-
mentary.
80. Peter and six men from Joppa (chapter
N., 12) have arrived at the house OF Corne-
Illus, the Roman centurion In C@sarea. Cor
nelius was just and God fearing man, much
given to prayer and good deeds and beloved
by all the Jews Of the city Oversees l. Q. 22),
yet not q saved nun (chapter xi.. ~. But
God saw his earnest desire. and in the way
as He had before brought Philip to the
,eunuch. Cornelius, with his kinsmen and
friends, welcomed Simon Peter and the
brethren, and Peter, having explained why
he, Jew, had come to uncircumctsed
gentiles, asks for what intent they had sent
for him, and Cornelius here begins his story.
81. IA man in bright clothing" is his
description of the angel who came to see
him. The appearance OF the angel at the
sepulcher was like lightning, and his raj
ment white as snow (Math. xviii. 81. Some
KILL, 49,. The angels message was, Thy
prayer is heard and thine aims are had In
remembrance In the sight Of God"
II so. Heaven is interested In Simon Peter
also and knows Just where to find him and
how to make him willing to take this jour
ney and do this work. Consider the "all
things working together" In this record-the
hungry man, the delayed dinner, the trance,
the vision, the visitors. and everything just
at the right time. Be not afraid to believe
that heaven Is interested In you, and have
faith In God.
SS. Immediately the centurion sent to
Joppa. Peter did we'll to come, and now
they are ready to hear the message from the
God OF heaven. They were assembled before
God to hear the message from God through
Peter. They wanted none OF Peters thoughts
or wisdom or eloquence, but only what God
had commanded him to speak. The Lord
Jesus Himself only spoke what the Father
commanded Him (John xiii, 49), and every
messenger Of the Lord may take all possible
comfort from Ex. w., 12; Jer. l., 6-9, etc.
81. "Of truth perceive that God Is no
respecter Of persons" Thus Peter began his
message. God took great pains to teach him
this oversees 11-16), and he never forgot It,
but long afterward referred to it in Pet. /,
II. See also Paul's reference to the same in
Rom. II, II. II necessary, God will give a
vision or send an angel to instruct US, but
blessed are the simple and teachabls who,
like Mary, sit at Jesus feet and hear His
word Nuke K, 39).
IS. But in every nation he that feareth
BIN and worketh righteousness Is accepted
chapter iy, IL, and the great truth that there
is none other Saviour besides Jesus Christ,
but wherever any one, Jew or gentle, earn
estly seeks after God, He will regard them
and so reveal Himself to them that they may
be saved. To conclude from this verse that
II we do the best we know how We are safe
would be perversion OF Scripture, for by
the deeds Of the law (and the law Is holy
no flesh can be justified (Rom. Iii. 20.24.
Sc. "Preaching peace by Jesus Christ. "
Made nigh by the blood OF Christ, for He is
our peace, having made peace through the
blood of His cross. The work OF righteous.
ness shall be peace, and the effect OF right
eousness, quietness and assurance forever.
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord jesus
Christ Eph. II, 19. "A; Col. l, 20; Isa- xxi,
IT; Rom. v, y. That which every soul needs
| is peace, peace with God, and 1t cannot be
found apart from Jesus Christ.
81. "That word, say, ye know which wa!
published throughout all Jud4a." They haG
heard Of Jesus. they knew something OF the
way, but they needed clearer light. They
evidently knew something OF the deeds o1
the law. Of prayer. OF almsglving, OF the one
living and true God and the righteousnes
which he required, but they knew not the
way to get it. They we're ignorant OF Gods
righteousness (Rom. <, 81.
SO. Jesus Of Nazareth was righteous and
did righteousness. he was God manifest IN
the flesh and set forth before mon perfectly
the righteousness which God required Of
man. He never pleased Himself nor lived
unto Himself; but, being filed with the
Spirit, went about showing men by word
and deed the love and goodness Of God
He revealed God to men; He glorihed
| God.
S9 Peter was with Him during all. Bis
| public life and saw His acts and heard His
words and as an eyewitness could testify
| that He was what He proiessed to be, tai
| Son OF God, the Messiah OF Israel, tht
Saviour of sinners. He saw Him cleanse
| the leper, heal the sick, raise the dead and
send the penitent sinner away with the as
surance OF all sins forgiven. He also saw
Him cruciied on Calvary.
40. "Him God raised up the third day and
showed Him openly" All Scripture CON
cerning His life and death and resurrection
had been fulfilled, and that to the very
letter, and, as He In His lifetime had re-
neatedly foretold, He rose from the dead or
| The third day, taking out OF the tomb TIE
very same body that was put in the tomb
having the unmistakable evidences OF the
nails through His hands and feet and the
spear thrust into His side. -.
Al. "Not to all the people, but unto wit
nesses chosen before Of Cod" Unbelieyer:
have not seen Jesus since He was crucifed
but as many as $40 Of the disciples saw Hin
at once after His resurrection q Cor. xv.. 81
and He appeared not less than ten diHeren,
times, and He actually ate with them, as
Peter says duke XIV. AZ.
~. "It is He which was ordained OF God
to be the Judge OF quick and dead" He vii
Judge His redeemed at His own judgment
seat (Rom. xiv, 10; II Cor. ", 10). He ano
His redeemed will judge the nations wher
He shall come In glory, bringing His saints
with Him (Muth. XIV, 81, 80; I Cor. VI, 2
Col. ILL.,, ~, and then at the end OF the thou
sand years, at the great white throne, He
will Judge the ungodly who took no part II
the first resurrection.
4s. "ro Him give all the prophets witness
that through His name whoever telieveta IN
Him shall receive remission OF SINS" Bee
lisa. l., is; xliii., 25; XIV. %; Jer. ILL, Il
XXI. "a; Mic. vii, 19; Ps. xxxii., l, q ell:
l2, as some OF the places where the prophet:
testify that through Him is the forgiveness:
Of sins as free gift without any works OF
merit en- our part.
A. "While Peter yet spake these Woro:
the Holy Ghost fell on all them which hearc
the word" and thus on uncircumcised gen
tiles God wrought as He had done at Pente
cost on circumcised Jews, and they Wer
tbara ond then hoDtiZed (yer5eS 10, ~. J.