The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-09
Sunday Study
THE FATE OF A LIAR.

THE FATE OF A LIAR
The international Sunday school lesson
for Feb. 9 is found in Acts w., go, to
v, IL, and is devoted to a revival among
the people Of faith in the Lord, and the
fate of two who sought to deceive. with
great power gave the apostles witness Of
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and
great grace was upon them ALL In these
days we can scarcely imagine several
thousands Of believers of one heart and
one soul to serve the Lord, no one cling
ing to his own things, but each loving
the other as himself and all having all
things in common. Those who owned
property sold the same and put the pro-
ceeds in the common fund that the need
of each might be supplied and that no
one might have any lack There was no
selishness and self-seeking. This seems
all the more remarkable when we con-
slider the strife for pre-eminence that
was seen more than once among the
twelve before Jesus died; yes, even at
the passover on the night before His res
direction, but now they were all filled
with the spirit, and hence this great diff
ference. JOseS, surnamed Barnabas, a
LeVlte, IS mentioned as one of those who
having land sold it and laid the money
at the apostles feet. But Ananias and
Sapphira." The tares and the wheat viii
Jesus comes again many bird will lodge
in the branches, but no bird ever be-
comes branch. When Abram and Sara
agreed to act lie and Isaac and Re
bekah did the same, which of us can saw
that the eyes as a flame of fire NAV not
see some deceit in our inmost hearts :?
why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie
to the Holy Ghost? Thou hast lied unto
Cod" See the oneness of the Father and
10 STin in, lx-iY, r.,
lied unto God. See also the oneness of
the Spirit and the believer, for in living
to Peter and the others they lied unto
the Spirit. Contrast Peter filed with the
Spirit and Ananias filled with Satan and
the high priest and others filled with m
dignation or envy. Dead and buried in a
few hours; gone from the eartls>a and from
his possessions, but gone where? TO the
true child of God death is gain and far
better than sojourning here. But what
of Ananias? His name means, Jehovah
is gracious" But did he know the saving
Grace of Jehovah? 1T was about the
space of three hours after when his wife
not knowing what was done, came in -
Three hours a widow, but not aware of
It. How long they had journeyed to-
gether In these mortal bodies we do not
know, put his journey has ended, and
hers is about to, though she is all I'M
conscious of it, Perhaps she had come
seeking him, wondering why he DELAYED
to return home. 1t is a sad story and
should teach us to be sincere with God
who desires truth in all. ''How is if thar
we have agreed together to tempt the
Spirit of the LOrd?" So one with God
are His people that when we touch them
we touch Him, and as we deal with them
we deal with Him. There is unspeakable
comfort and yet a solemn warning in this
great truth. How awful t1iS Sopro
before u.s. She is for the first time told
OF her husbands death and at the same
time told that she must die In the morn
ing they are in health, but united in
lie to God that they may appear be-
fore men to be very religious, but before
night they are found out, and are dead
and buried. Two liars in one grave.
Ana great fear came upon all the
church, and upon as many as heard these
things. 1t was a needed lesson for the
times, although He does not always
thus swiftly punish sinners. We cannot