The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-02-08
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY IT,.
Subject; Jesus and Nioodemus, John
III, 1-1S-Goiden Texts John Ill. 18--
Memory Verses, 1d-1T-Coininentary
on the Days Lesson.

Subjects Jesus and Nioodemu., John
H., 1-1S-Goiden Text John ILL.,, 1e-
Memory Verses, 1d-1T-Coininentnry
ON the Days Lesson.
CoSNEorINa LINKs.--Aftcr Jesus left
Betbabara lie journeyed north up the Jor.
dan valley to Galilee, and over tue noun.
tains to Oaua, near Nnzareth. Here He
was present at a wedding. and wrought His
first miracle, turning the water into wine.
Thence with His mother and HIS brethren
He went down to Cnpernaum, about twenty
miles to the northeast on the sen OF Cali
le". where He remained n few days. John
2; 1.12. From hore II" went to Jerusalem
to attend the first Passover OF Ills mlnis-
try. John 2: 10 At Jerusalem He asserted
His authority by cleansing tho temple
from the traders. John 2: 1922.
/. "0f the Pharsees." very strict and
religious sect OF tue Jews. They we're or.
thodox and believed in the immortality Of
the soul aud a future state. They laid
great stress upon their traditions, esteem.
ing them as hiRh.y as they did the Scrip.
lures. They expected the Messiah wouid
be temporal celverer and king. and
were generally looking for Him. "Nico.
demus." A rich ruler OF the Jews, Phar.
isee and n member of tho Sanhodrn, the
supreme council of the jewish nation.
2. "Came to Jesus by night" The act
OF cleansing the tcmplo had brought Christ
also, that Ho had performed miracles that
are not mentioned by the Rible writer's.
He came privately, by night ''as an act ol
prudence and discretion" The interest.
Ing point Is not why he came by night, but
that he came ut all Rabbi" Ths wa.
showing great respect to one who had not
been educated In the lbblnical schools
"a teacher come from DOi." This was
complete endorsement OF Jesus and His
work, aud now, having thus endorsed
Him, he was under greater obligations to
accept the truth that Jesus was about to
proclaim.
3. Verify, verify" Expresses the truth
and unchanglng validity OF what was about
to be spoken. This was considered oil
equal import with the most solemn oath.
"I say unto thee" Jesus here entered into
the very henrt OF gospel truth. HO dill
not undertake to preach pleasing sermon
In order to make II new disciple OF ths
"mnster In Israel" but gavo 4 personal,
thorough, heart-searchlng talk, in which
Nlcodemus was made to understand that
he was not In the kingdom OF God simply
because he was plous jew. Except
Jesus meets the except OF Nicodomus
with another except NIcodemus says
'do;' Jesus says be- We must be- before
we can do.' 'Born again" From
above" Converted; royeneratel. To be.
gin llfo anew. A new lite, with new
nature, new principles new affections, new
In Christ Jesus. Gal. 6:l5. As the natural
birth introduces us into natural life, opens
our natural senses, and prepares IA tc
enjoy natural things; so the spiritual birth
introduces US into spiritual life, opens our
spiritual senses, and prepares us to enjoy
spiritual things. Cannot see." Enjoy,
shnro In, enter. " 5. "Kngd om OF God"
The kingdom OF grace here and of glory
hereafter.
s. 20, water aud OF the Spirit" We
present three different views as to tho
meaning OF tho term "water." /. Water,
washing and cleansing nre figurative ex.
pressions used In Scripture to denote II
spiritual operation on mans heart. 1t Is
not necessary that we should understand
two different things, as this Is probably
only an elllptical form OF speech for tho
Holy Spirit under tho slmiltude OF water.
2. number OF exposltors think the water
has reference to Christian baptism. 8. The
expression refers to Johns baptism, which
was unto repentance, and was alone known
to Nlcodemus. The last comment has un-
doubtedly the correct explanation. Jesus
simply said to Nicodemus, You must thor.
oughly repent aud be born from above.
6. "Of the flesh is flesh" Like produces
like with regard to both flesh and spirit.
We are thoroughly fallen, and n clean
thing cannot come from an unclean.
7. Marvel not" DO not wonder ut this,
there are many things you do not under
the blowing OF the wind. $50 is every
one" As with the wind the Spirits opsra-
tions are invisible, beyond our discovery
and known only by Its effects.
0. "How can these things be?" He could
not comprehend spiritual things.
10. "a master OF Israel" One who had
studied the Old Testament as he had, and
thought so much, and accepted the posi-
tion OF teacher, ought to have known these
things.
II. I'VE" Edershelm thinks that in all
probability st. John was present during this
entire interview. "Do know" He spoke
with the greatest possible assurance. Not
upon hearsay but from personal knowledge.
"Ye receive not our Witness" They re-
celved His miracles US genuine, yet refused
to accept the spiritual truths He taught.
Ye is always plural and this Is spoken with
reference to the class to which Nlcodemus
belonged.
~. How shall ye believe" II you do
not believe the first principes-lhe be-
ginnngs OF gospel truth-how shall ye be-
lieve IL l continue the subject farther and
tell you OF the deeper things, the heavenly
atonement (v. 1D; salvation by faith ". 15);
the great love OF God ". 1872"
IS. "And no man, etc." There was a false
notion among the jews that Moses had
assembled up to heayen to got the law.
Jesus In effect says, No one, not even
niOscst hutu hsCoHuou up W ubuNbu 10
search out heavenly things; but the Son OF
Man has dwelt " from all eternity in tho
bosom OF the Father" and has come direct
from heaven. "1n Heaven" He is omni-
present, filling heaven and earth with His
presence. and even now is in heaven.
IA. "Fhe Serpent" Mum. 81: 40. The
history OF the brazen serpent Is n parable
OF the gospel. 'Son OF Man be lifted up"
|. In His crucinxlon. 2. In His exhalta-
lion. 8. In the publishing and preaching
OF His everlasting gospel.
10. whatsoever" Gentiles as we'll as
lows. "Not PERISH Not be baaished
from the presence OF God. "Havo eternal
Ilfe." Here Is II double benefit offered -
Those who believe In Christ are exempted
from eternal perditlon. 2. They are
brought to eternal glory.
16. $50 loved" Such love could moi
he described. Jesus does not attempt It
There is an eternity OF meaning In that
little word "so.'
II. "ro condemn the world" To de-
stroy the Gentiles which the Jews supposed
would take place when the Messiah came,
Is. "Believeth on Him." This implies
separation from the world and q thorough
repentance, as we'll rs obedience and faith
"Believeth not is condemned" The
greatest sin we can commit against God is
to reject His Son. The morallst, as we'll as
the profigate, is condemned already II he
rejects Christ.