Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-05-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
May 4.
Subject: The Church at Antioch In Syria, Acts
xl., lS,3O-GoIden Text, Acts xL, 2l--
Memory Verses, z2.24-Comnien.
tary on the Days Lesson.

| III. which were scattered abroad.
We Eow turn back to chapter s: IA, and
trace in new direction the history of the
charch. The authorities tried to blow out
the gospel fire kindled by the Holy Spirit,
but it only made it burn the brighter.
They lashed the fire, but it only sent the
sporks over the world. The wrath OF men
was made to praise God. The disciples
went everywhere preaching the gospel.
We have seen their success in Samaria,
Joppa, LYDIA and Caesarea "Phence."
The district between the Mediterranean
and the mountains OF Lebanon, extending
one hundred and twenty miles from u
point little south of Tyre, and embrac-
ing the two cities OF Tyre and Sidon.
Cyprus" A large island in the Medi.
terranean Sea- sixty miles from the coast
Of Palestine. 1t was remarkable for its
richness of soil and the dissouteness of its
inhabitants. 1t was the birthplace of
B9Hnabas, and one OF the fields of Paul's
lahors. Antioch This city now be-
the Jews only" This was the practice of
the Jewish Christians when they lett
jerl sa'em. As yet they did not know that
the Gentiles were to receive the gospel:
%. "But there were some" Or. W
Some of those scattered abroad because
OF the persecution. Men OF Cyprus, ETC.
These were Greek speaking Jews who,
|
about mixing with the Gentiles than were
the Jews of Palestine. ''Cyrene." A city
Of northern Africa. "Spake unto the
Greeks" The Gentle Greeks.
q. Hand of the Lord" The hand is
the symbol OF power. The expression is
common one in the Old Testament to ex-
press the direct interposition of God in the
affairs of the world. with them.' God
showed them favor and evinced His power
nf hcip
90. "Thc report concerning them Or.
W This excludes the idea that it was
a communication sent from the brethren
at Antioch. 1t was natural that ruch
remarkable occurrence as the conversion
of a large number of Gcntiles should be
reported at Jerusalem. "The church,.
in jerusalem This was the original
church of Christianity; not the church OF
Rome. There were Christian churches
founded in many places, which exist to
the present day, before Rome heard the
gospel. They sent forth To aid the
disciples and to give sanction and direc-
ton to the work. They had done a sim
liar thing at thc time of the revival which
occurred in Samara. Acts s: IA, "Barna-
bas." He was peculiarly fitted for this
work. He was a Levitc and native of
Cyprus. "As far as Antioch Implying
that there were churches on the way to
visit.
%. when he came The result is brief
ly recorded under three heads: l. What he
saw-the grace of God. 3 What he felt
he was glad 3. What he did-he cxhorted
them all. "The grace of God" The favor,
mercy and power of Christ in the conver-
sion of the Gentiles. Was glad" He at
once owned the work and rejoiced in it,
though the converts were uncrcumclsed
He saw nothing in the work of which he
could dsapprove; it was genuine. "Ex.
horted them" Entrcated them. We find
him exercising here the peculiar gift for
which he was distinguished The appela.
ton which he received from the apostles
(chap 4: 36) describes a particular trait
in his style of preaching. He comforted
and encouraged them. We owe every.
thing to the people who encourage US.
ly finds fault with you. Purpose OF
heart The heather converts had much
to endure for Christ's sake and to the
weak there were many temptations to re-.
lapse Barnabas exhorted them to make
this their settled plan of life "Cleave.'
| Adhere firmly, constantly, faithfully to the
Lord.
BarnabaS was so successful. Good man.
Thus it is possible for poor weak, sinful
i. man to be saved and cleansed from his sins
so that in the eyes Of the Lord he will be
> good" Barnabas was deeply pious, and
! eXemplfed the grace of God by living a
holy life. Full Of etc. He lived in the
Spirit, was controlled by the Spirit, and
,, was endowed by the power of the Spirit.
He was also full of faith. He had un,
bounded confidence in Jesus Christ, and
the gospel he was preaching. lie knew
: there was no chance for failure. Much
, people" There were many conversions
! and accessions to the church.
%. TO Tarsls" Saufs native city: less
than a hundred miles from Antioch # the
Journey was made by water. 1t Will be
remembered that when the Jews at Jeru-
salem sought to kill Saul the brethren
2 sent him to Tarsus. Chap. Q: 80. To
seek Saul" Barnabas was we'll acquainted
with Saul and had introduced him to the
church at Jerusalem Co.: 27); and it has
been suggested that he may have known
him in his youth
20. Assembled" We doubt not they
assembled weekly, upon the Lords day;
for the earliest ecclesiastical history finds
Sunday the sacred day at Antioch. and 1t
is utterly improbable that any alteration
l took place of the day then first estab
lished by the, apostles, Christians. IL
: is most probable that this name was given
them by the brethren in ridicule. But Dr
t Clarke seems to favor the idea. that the
: name is of divine appointment, and was
. given by Saul and Barnabas. There is nc
= necessity to discuss this question for the
name is from God even though the heather
Z may have coined it. ., -,
: 81. Prophets" This was applied Q)
+, to those who were engaged in preaching
or explaining the word OF God Il Cor. IL
!. 81, and also (2) to those who toretolc
+ future events as Agabus did here.
%. "Agabus" We know nothing O
4 this prophet except what we learn her,
- and in chap. 81: TO- "By the Spirit;
q While under the influence, OF the HOY
Spirit Great dearth" "a great IA, fam
n inc" r. V. "All the world" Thl
. probably means here, the. land OF Judei
. and adjacent countries; though some ap
: ply it to the whole Roman empire. Cam
:. to pass" The famine continued tw'
a years. A. D. A, 45. During the reign o o
:, Claudius "a. d. 5l-54) there were lou
famnes in different parts of the empire
= 20. "The disciples. The church
+. Antioch. Note that "evsry man sen
$ something. There evidently were no, pc
y, nurious people in the church at that time
q (which dwelt in Judea." They evldentl
c did not expect the famine would extsn
t, to Antioch.
d 80. "To the elders" To be distribute
~ to those in need This was Saufs secon
, visit to Jerusalem since his conversion
Not tho goth President
A girl asks whether 1t Is not rlgl
70 speak OF Mr.. Roosevelt as the 26'