The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-05-15
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
May IS.
Subject: The Early Christian Missionaries,
Acts Kill. l.lz-Golden Text. Matt xviii,
io-Memory Verses, 2, 3-comme,.
tary on the Days Lesson.


/. "The church. at Antioch" This
church must have been large and fuorish-
ing at this time. Prophets and teachers"
The prophets were those most open to re.
ceive, and able to speak the truth God re-
vealed TO them; men with insight and fore
sight, rather than instructors Cor. II:
2S. BY teachers arc meant Gtated and
permanent teachers, answering somewhat
20 the pastor OF modern church "Barna-
bas.' Barnabas was q preacher and il is
not improbable that the names prophets
and teachers" here simply designates the
preachers of the gospel. ."Simeon....
Niger" Niger means black. but there is
nothing in that TO indicate that this man
was black. Nothing more is known OF
hir than is here mentioned. "Lucius.
He is probably the same person mentioned
in Rom. 1921. He MAJ also have beSn
one of those who first carried the gosrel
to Antioch. Chap. IL: 10, 20. "Cyrene.'
A celebrated city in Africa; one-fourth OF
foster brother of Herod." (R. VI Hackett
thinks his mother was probably Herod's
nurse. He was evidently a person Of iu-
huence This was Herod Antipas, who
murdered John the Baptist. Manean must
have become Christian out OF very bad
strong character. "And Saul" Named
last because he was the late conner. He
soon becomes the chiefcst Of all the apos-
ties.
.. "They." These FIVE ministers.
Nothing is said of any others being present.
But Meyer insists that they" refers to
the church and not merely to the five min
isters "Ministered." In a special SER
vice of prayer and praise, to ascertain the
mind of the Lord concerning the adavnce-
ment of His work. "Feasted." Showing
their intense earnestness, their spiritual
hunger, which overpowered all sense OF
bodily hunger. "The Holy Ghost said"
How the Holy Spirit spoke to them we
are not told. He may have spoken through
some of the prophets present, or by gen
eral conviction on the minds of the men,
bers of the church But notice that the
Holy Spirit makes the revelation, selects
the missionaries, and assigns to them their
work" Separate me-" That is, set them
apart, or ordain them for the special work
whereunto / have called them-the work
of foreign missions. Paul was clearly
called to this work at the time of his con-
version.
3. "Fasted and prayed A most SOL
emn and important service, observed,
probably, by the whole body of the church.
They needed wisdom and ability to ac.
complish the great work they were now
about to undertake. Laid their hands"
BY this ceremony of conservation. they or
dained them-not to an order, but to a
mission. 1t did not make them deacons,
elders, or bishops, but missionaries. Sent
them away" From Antioch, as mission
aries to other lands
4. rBeing sent, etc. The expression
here is similar to that found in the pre-
vious verse, and shows the call of the
| Spirit first, and, next, that of the church.
phe Holy Ghost originates the missionary
enterprise. All objections, therefore, to
the work arise from lack of fulness of
| tba Snir,t nj Galo1,oia - rTh,e
the seaport town of Antioch, on the Medi-
terranean Sea, Antioch being twenty miles
inland. Sailed to Cyprus" This island,
| in the Mediterranean Sea- was originally
the home OF Barnabas. Chap. a: SO.
5. ''At Salamis." The Greek capital of
proach to the island, after few hours
sail John TO their minister" This was
John whose surname was Mark.
6. Gone through the isle" They
Travelled the whole length of the island
from east TO west, evangelizing Unto
Paphos." The chief town of the island,
about one hundred miles from Salamis.
'Sorcerer." A magician, or fortune-teller.
The magieians did not merely pretend to
foretell the future, but also to influence it.
by the control which they claimed to ex-
ercise over the inferior gods or demons.
"a false prophet" An imposter. in that
he falsely professed to be prophet of the
TRUE bOu, Nullt ltdCHluS ldlSe uOCItlHts
and false standard of morals. "a jew"
A Jewish quack whose arts were picture
o; the lowest depths TO which the Jewish
character could sink. "Bar-jesus." This
was his Jewish name. The prefix "Bar"
is Hebrew and signifies son" Bar-Sesus
therefore signifies the Son of Jesus, a com
mon name among the Jews; but the Syriac
calls him "Bar-shoma," the son of pride.
7. "The deputy" All the provinces of
/ the Roman Empire under the control of
the senate were governed by a proconsui,
here called a deputy; that is, a governor
appointed by the senate. "A prudent
man. A man of sound understanding and
| good sense. Desired to hear" He de-
sired to know what these men taught, and
to hear the word 9f God
s. "Elymas." An Arabic word which
means 1.-THE wise" Perhaps he was born
| in Arabia, or had lived there, and may
have assumed this name in a boastful
| spirit, or he may have received il from
others as compliment to his skill. with
| stood them Opposed them, as the ma
gicians in Pharaoh's court withsrood
| Moses. He saw his power was gone If the
| proconsul accepted the truth. ITO turn
away" The effort OF the sorcerer was to
| keep him from becoming believer in the
| doctrine OF the apostles. No doubt they
| had heard much about the teachings of the
| apostles. s,,s4
o. "Then Saul. :. Paul" This Is the
first time the name Paul occurs, aud the
| last time where he is called Saul. The
Gentle APOSTLE here assumes Gentle
name. "Sau" is Hebrew, ''Paulus" is
Latin. The word signifies "little," almd-
| ing to his insignihcanoe of stature and ap,
| pearance. 2 Cor. 10: /, 10. Filled, etc"
| The tense OF the Greek participle implies
| a sudden access of spiritual power ''Set
his eyes" With piercing gaze which
| looked into his very soul. Paul now un-
| folded for the first time the mighty pow
ers which lay in him.
10. "Subtiity" "All guile and all vii.
lany." r. V. Thou expert in the art OF
deceiving men. "Son of the devil" (R.V.)
Subtilty characteristic of the devil. Gen.
8: l; 2 Cor. IL: 3. Enemy, etc." He
was an enemy OF truth and holiness Per.
vert" He perverted the truth and Gods
way of saving men.
IL. Hand OF the Lord" The affliction
came from God, not Paul. Blind" He
was totally blind. For season." His
blindness was temporary. God Furnishes
only so much as is necessary. Perhaps
Paul hoped for the mans repentance.
IL. Believed" The miracle wrought
belief; the doctrine of the Lord wrought
salvation.