The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-04-28

International Lesson for May 2. 1877
-Paups Ftrst Missionary journey
-A.ts ra.I-u4

ARRANGED from Peloube:'s Notes.l
GOLDEN TExT.-Go ye int all the world
and preach the Gospel to every creature
Mark 1915.
The section includes the lesson. and re-
view OF Pauls conversion and early Chris
tian life, In Acts 0:l-30 and Gal 1:l3-24
TIME.-The missionaries probably start
ed in the autumn of A. ID. As Lewin). or the
spring of A. R Z; e fhi%sTfyS,R
i. A Great Missionary Church.-Vs.
4, 2. 1. The church that was at An
tioch:" Its earliest beginnings were
eight or ten years before, by those scat
tered by the persecution at the time of
Stephen (S:1, 4; 1l:l0). and during
A. ID. 40-43 it had wonderfully in
creased through the reception of the
Gentiles. Prophets" Those most
open TO receive, and able to speak, the
truth of God revealed to them.
2. "As they ministered to the Lord:"
The peculiar Greek word here used for
service (from which comes our word
Liturgy refers specially TO religious
services, such as prayer, fasting, sing
ing, preaching, and the Lords Supper,
and also charitable giving to those in
need (Heb. 10:11; Rom. l5:17), which
should be religious service.
III. The First Missionaries.-Vs. 2, 3.
2. 1.-The Holy Ghost said" In answer
to their prayers and to their spirit of
service. Separate me-" !. e., set apart
for this special work. For the work
whereunto l have called them" Paul
was called definitely at the time of his
conversion, Barnabas perhaps in more
general way, by fitness. by Providence,
by an inward call, by spiritual longing.
III. Missionary Experiences in Cy-
prus.-Vs. 4-12. 4. Sent forth by the
Holy Ghost:" AS related above, not the
church, not Paul, but the Holy Ghost
originated the missionary enterprise.
Departed unto:" went down OR. w
the River Oroptes. "Seleucia:" The
seaport of Antioch, 1914 miles distant
in a direct line. "They sailed to Cy-
prus:" Cyprus lies so to 100 miles south
west of Seleucia.
5. "And when they were at Salamis:"
The Greek capital of Cyprus on its east
ern shore, nearest Seleucia. They
preached the word of God:" Gods
message of love and salvation through
Jesus the Christ.
6. Gone through the isle:" The word
for gone through is one used, not mere
ly to express travelling, but the process
of going over the country as a mis-
sionary for the purpose of evangeliz-
ing. Unto Paphos:" Now Baffo, at the
western or opposite extremity of the is
land, about 100 miles from Salamis. "A
certain sorcerer:" Rather, magician,
a wizard (wise-ard). The magicians
did not merely pretend to foretell the
future, but also to influence it, by the
control which they claimed to exercise
over the inferior gods or demons.
Z. (which was with the Deputy" AS
one of his train which always accom-
panied Roman governor; friend and
associate. This position was an hon
orable one, gratifying at once to ambi-
ton, to vanity, and to worse passion.
"A prudent man." r. ", "a man of I'm
derstanding:" of practical ability, of
good common sense and judgment.
There must have been something in Ely
mas, or such a man would not have
made him companion. But in the
darkness of that age of general unbe-
lief as to the future, when even Cato
and Caesar confessed to the senate that
the belief in a future existence was
fabulous" a Thoughtful mind would
catch at everything that gave hope of
eternal life, at least so far as to investi-
gate. Called for Barnabas and Saul"
This shows his sound mind. He would
search wherever there was hope of more
light.
9. saul, who also is called PAUL."
Hitherto, by his association with tho
Jews, he had been called by his Hebrew
name. Now, entering upon his Gentle
work in the great Roman world, it was
natural that his Roman name should be
used, as it is henceforth. FILLED with
the Holy Ghost:" The tense of the
Greek participle implies sudden ac-
cess of spiritual power, showing itself
at once in insight into character, right
eous indignation, and provision Of the
Divine chastisement.
10. 30 full of all subtilty:" Guile,
deceit, falseness of character and life.
Mischief" Villany, unscrupulousness
in evil "Child Of the devil" And like
his father. "Pervert the right ways of
the Lord" Elymas' magian tricks, his
teachings about spirits and the other
world, were perversions of truth, which
as Jew he understood, making it
means of evil, and out of it degrading
error.
IL. "The hand of the Lord" not of
Paul. "And thou shalt be blind, not see
ing the SUM-" This phrase indicates
total blindness. In case Of partial blind
ness, the eye cannot discern objects, but
is able to recognize the light. "A mist
and darlness:" Expressing the grad
ual but swift progress of the blindness.
So comes into the soul the darkness Of
sin and error.
-. Then the deputy. . believed"
He realized the truth and power and
spirit of Paul in this transaction, and
the character Of his former teacher was
revealed. Being astonished at the doc
trine (the teaching) of the Lord" The
new truths from Heaven, the new views
of the love of God, the promises and
blessings of the Gospel, forgiveness of
sin, new life. the presence of the Holy