The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-08
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY l2.

Subject: The Great Commission, Matt.
xviii, 1920 - Golden Text, Matt.
xviii, go - Memory Verses, 1920
Commentary on the Days Lesson.
l6. "Then." Matthew does not notice
any of the important events that have
taken place between Christ and His disci.
PIES since the morning of the resurrection.
They did not 90 Immediately into Galilee,
but waited in Jerusalem at least one week,
whenn Christ appeared to them again, on
waiting in Galilee for the appointed time
OF the meeting Jesus surprised seven of
them at the sea of Galilee John 2l: l-23),
and fully restored Peter to his former po-
sition. among the disciples. Soon after
that interview occurs the special meeting
OF to-day's lesson. This was His eighth ap-
pearance.. THE eleven" While there is
no mention here that any besides the
eleven were present, yet it is the, general
pies had come together, and that this was
the time when Christ appeared to the 500
brethren referred to by Paulin lCor. Is: 8.
"Into Galilee." Why did Christ have this
meeting in Galilee? This having been the
principal scene of Christ's ministry. the
greatest part of His followers lived there,
and for this reason He chose to make His
most solemn and public appearance in that
country; Had appointed them" Jesus
had evidently named themountain. Lange
calls attention to Matthew's three sacred
mountains: !. The mount of the Beati-
tudes. .. The mount of the Transfgura.
tion. 3. The mount Of the great Resurrec.
tion Meeting.
II. when they saw Him" There was
something. mysterious and supernatural in
the manifestation of the glorifed BODY.
The more devoted and loving disciples
were probably the first to recognize their
Lord. "They worshped Him" They
gave divine honor to Him, which was sig
nihed by some outward expressions Of
alteration. Those who see Jesus with an
Him: They, are ready to bow hunably at
His feet and give Him the love that is due
Him. But some doubted" Certainly
none of the eleven after what had taken
place at previous interviews at Jerusalem,
but il the 500 were now present, we may
well believe this of some of them. Lange
and others agree with this idea. These
doubts were afterward removed from their
minds: and all doubts should also be re-
moved from our minds. The resurrection
of Christ is the greatest miracle of which
we have nm account in the Bible, and has
been established beyond the possibility of
a mistake.
l8. "And Jesus came to them" (R W
This drawing near was manifestly a spe-
clal approach unto those who were doubt
ing. "All authority" (R. w Authority
and power differ; for many have authority
to do what they have no power to do,
while others have power but no authority.
Our. Lords authority implies power also.
Christ was about to commission His apos-
ties, and send them out with authority as
ambassadors to the nations, and He first
shows them by what authority He acts.
assume it, or usurp it, but it was given
Him; He was legally entitled to it and in.
vested in it by a grant from Him who is
the Fountain of all power. God set Him
King (Psa. 2: 81, inaugurated and en-
throned Him. Luke L. 80. As God, equal
with the Father. all power was originally
and essentially His, but as Mediator, as
Goldman, all power was given Him. TN
heaven and in earth" Christ has author.
ity and power in heaven. l. to intercede
with the Father 2. To send down the
4. To give them seat at His right hand
5orys nRsaDdd and powsr 90 e8oess saiGy R VS.
To convert sinners. @ To sanctifv, pro-
tect and perfect His church. 8. To sub
due all nations to Himself 4. Over
death. s. To Judge the world. g.. He
also has; authority and power over all the
forces of nature.
10. "Go We therefore" This commits
sion is given primarily to the apostles, who
were to carry on and establish the work
been the feelings which such a commission
awakened! We conquer the world for
Thee, Lord, who have scarce conquered
our own misgivings-we, fishermen of Cal
lice, with no learning, no means, no infiu-
ence? "And make disciples" (R. W
They were not to go and subdue. or pro-
nounce judgments against the nations, but
to make disciples by preaching the gospel
Of Christ-a gospel of peace and love.
Henceforth they were to be fishers of men:
If we are true ministers Of Christ we will
to obtain salvation. "Of all the nations"
(R. W This word of Christ breaks down
the middle wall of partition which had so
long excluded the Gentiles from the
visible church. The apostles at first were
forbidden to go to the Gentiles. now they
are sent to all nations. The Gentiles are
to be christianized without first being
made Jews. The commission given to the
apostles is still binding on the Christian
church. Christs words, according to Mark,
are, "Go We into all the world, and preach
the gospel to every creature" How can
Christians fold their arms contentedly, in
"Baptizng them" This was to be sign
that they had left their heather religions,
and had become true converts to Christian
itv Into the name" (R. w This means
that converts are pledged bv baptism to
faith which has for its object the being
designated bv that name. ard which
brings them into union with Him. The
word "name" has wide and deep mean
ing: it implies a living reality, power
and in Scripture, when applied to God. ls
equivalent to the Godhead. "Father-Holy
Ghost" Here we have the trinity clearly
get forth. There is One God, with one un-
divided name and nature. who exists as
three Divine Persons under the personal
distinction of Father. Son and Holy Spirit.
20. "Teaching them" 1t is the duty of
the apostles and ministers of Christ to in
struct those who become disciples OF learn
ers ITO observe" etc. What Christ has
commanded must be taught and observed:
We are tn "observe"-pay attention to and
obey. "all thngs"-not merely those things
which snit us best. hut all the moral du-
ties. without exception. that Christ has
commanded. "T am with YOU alway." Lit
orally, am with Won every day. In the
person of the Holy Spirit, Christ would
never be absent from them I, single day.
acement to all true ministers of the gos-
pel He is not coming BE is here with us
now. !. He is with both the weak and
the strong. 2. Fe is in the battle as well
AS the victory. g. He is with us in life
and in death. a.. In time and in eternity:
Unto the end" etc. Unto the end of
time. "Amen." Omitted in r. V.