The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05
Exposition Of the
Sabbath School Lesson


FOR APRIL 1s, 1902
Copyright, 1902, by John r. Whitney.
Peter, Eneas and DOrcas-Acts TX.
32-43.
Golden Text-Jesus Christ maketh thee
whole.-Acts tx, "a.
Dropping for time the story Of Saul of
Tarsus, the historian now turns back to the
work was last brought before us by his con-
nection with Simon Magus will, 1929 and
the time of these incidents, several years
passed away. But there is no mention e OF
anything that he did in that interval except
ing the general statement that he returned
to Jerusalem and preached the gospel IN many
villages of the Samaritans.'
the Holy Ghost, the apostles made Jerusalem
their settled home. No opposition, no fear,
no ambition to extend their sphere of labors,
great persecution which began with the death
Of Stephen, made havoc of the church, the
record is that the disciples were, all scat
tered abroad except the apostles" will, y.
| They remained undaunted at their post. PROD
ably it was by the direct instructions OF the
Holy Ghost, for in all things they were guided
| by him.
But whilst they made Jerusalem their home,
as word reached them from time to time con-
! corning the progress Of the new faith in other
places it appears that they sent out deputa-
| tons from their number to examine into the
work and to comfort and strengthen the new
! disciples So, as .'they sent Peter and john
witt, 14) to samaria to aid Philip, they now
had sent Peter alone to the seacoast. Tnus
! he did not as if he held position OF supe-
rior authority among the apostles, send 9th
ers, but the others sent him. So as ne
.'passed throughout all quarters he came
down also to the saints which dwelt at Lyo-
-da'' (verse 32).
The town LYDIA was on the northernmos'
of the two roads leading from Jerusalem tt
It stood on .'the great maritime plain which
anciently bore the, name OF sharon an
which, when covered with its crops OF corn
reminds the traveller of the Wheat t. fields So o
Peter found number of disciples. They wer
probably all Jews, for at the first the gospe
was preached "to none but unto the Jew
only (xi., 49,. How they came to believ
or who had preached the gospel to them, i
not told Probably some humble, unknown
believer who left Jerusalem upon the perse
cuton that arose. about Stephen Ci... 19)
had found new home in this town, and ha
told his neighbors Of cruciied Savior 'ex
, allied to- give repentance and forgiveness o
sins" w.. 81
Eneas For "eght years he had been
physical wreck, utterly helpless to NOV
about or to DO anythng for himself rs Or f.
or "parayzed" CYoung). One marked pc
culiarity of this form Of disease is that tn
J will has but little control over the muscles
scribes his conscious spiritual condition.
could not do even that which he was mos
willing and anxious to do. For there was
law In his members warning against tn
troubled him even after he had heard tn
, glad tidings of Savior's love and had com
to him. Probably it then troubled him NOR
than before. His sufferings may not hav
been intense, but his inability to do the
; which he longed to do was both great grie
t and a great burden.
f. found" ". as) by Peter. AS he stood-en
; dued with miraculous powers of healing b
the Holy, Ghost-at the bedside OF this sic
man, and hear heard his longing desire, he said
Y Arise and make thy bed''
We can well imagine how gladly he hear
these gracious words. and how eagerly
8 can see him-like the lame man at the Beaut
and praising Cod Gil, 81 2 His lis case ss a
through the Whole district list of Sharon nooa e.
g strong. testimony that the gospel had CON
d from God and all that heard it turned /
the Lord" ". IS And we may well belle,
;, that Eneas at once became an earnest. acti,
e and faithful agent TO encourage and strength
en- others.
]. and dearest children who have been calle
:, upon to lie for years upon beds OF sicknes
e and suffering. In many cases, however, the
the rcs as q Or bis
:; been wonderful instruments for good And
" has all been because sof the presence al
u power pow OF Jesus Christ within them. It is
,. 'maketh whole it Is not always necessal
! that the body should be strong, or eve
D healthy. W
whilst this is all true with many who ha.
;, suffered from bodily infirmities, it is equal
. true OF many who have suffered spiritual
for spiritual palsy is very common amol
Is it, and he is the type Of many more. 81 knc
that in me-" he says that is. in my fees
g dWelleth no good thing; for to VIII Is prese
good and not For the good that hat w would.
do lRom: viii. ls-1s.) How many mai -
Gods dear children have had the same expe.
wretehed man that sm s W Who shall delty
or 243 Physically it has been the cry Of ma
many q Paul And none have ever found +
then t to say ya,t thank god can be deli
Lord Lord, (R R. n vii. 209 He. and he on
3, Whilst Peter tarried for a while in Lydd
port, Joppa. In that town also the gosl
a. seed had been scattered by some unkno1
st hand. and had taken deep roots But M
Word was brought TO Peter by two mel
r. that one OF the company OF the believers b
Of Just died and ''entreating him-Delay not
Ps come unto u.s. ". 50, r. W. Her na1
was .erabitha," and she was probably
!, graceful in person as she was gracious
~ character. For her name . is the Arams
g. form Of the Hebrew for female gazelle-t
gazelle being regarded in the east, among be
nd Jews and Arabs, a standard OF beauty. s..
Greek equivalent was Dorcas." (Smitl
n. Dictionary -
On She had been an exceedingly active and u.
full member OF this company Of believers.
= had endeared herself to all, especially BY
y; J kindness to the poor and sofrowing. s It Kr
!. out OF her deep love to Christ. She was j
g, disciple, and in his poor she saw himse
o. What she did for them she did u INTO hi