Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-26
International gesso,l.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, MAY 4.


Acts II, 21-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. NJ. Stcarns.
Copyright. 1902. by American Press Asso-
ciation.]
10. Preaching the word to none but unto
the Jews only
Thus did those who were scattered
abroad upon the persecution that arose
about Stephen, and in chapter viii. l..
we are told that all We're scattered
abroad except the apostles. The twelve
were originally commanded to 90 mel
ther to the Samaritans nor to the gen.
tiles, but rather to the lost sheep Of
the house Of Israel, and on one occa-
sion our Lord said, 81 am not sent but
unto the lost sheep Of the house Of
Israel" CIatt. x. 5. 6; XIV, 2D. All this
was, however, changed before His as
cension, and the command was plainly
given to go unto all the world and to
every creature.
20. p. The hand Of the Lord was with
them. and a great number believed and
turned unto the Lord.
Thus in these new places the called
out ones were being gathered unto
Him to whom all must come, whether
Jews or Greeks. for there Is salvation
in no other Qv, ~. The Jews ask for
a sign, and the Greeks seek after wis
dom, but to those who accept Him,
both Jews and Greeks. Christ Is the
power Of God and the wisdom Of God
Il Cor. /, 2o-2A. The good tidings of
the kingdom and of the gospel of the
grace Of God when faithfully proclaim
ed will always be owned Of God to
gather out His elect.
q g. Who. when he came, and had seen
the grace of God. was glad. and exhorted
them all. that with purpose of heart they
would cleave unto the Lord.
This is written Of Barnabas, whom
the church at Jerusalem sent to An
tioch when they heard the tidings Of
the Grecians turning to the Lord. They
could not have sent better man than
this one, who had already proved him
self q true son Of consolation Gv, 30;
TX, 26, 20. He gladly recognized the
grace Of God wherever he saw it.
whether in prosecuting Saul or in the
Grecians, and he now encourages these
saved people to cleave to the Lord
alone and not to any Of their teachers.
"a. For he was a good man and full Of
the Holy Ghost and Of faith. and much
people was added unto the Lord
Our Lord Jesus said. There is none
good but one; that Is God" Mark <,
49,, therefore Barnabas was in God,
and God was in him through Jesus
Christ. His goodness was the right
eousness Of God in Christ. Many are
thus righteous who are not filled with
the Spirit, but Barnabas was Spirit
filed (Eph. V. 1S), as every believer
should be. Unless people are added to
the Lord it matters little to what so
called church or company of Chris
tians they are added. for there is no
salvation In anything short Of being a
part of Christ Himself.
25, 2s. Then departed Barnabas to Tar
sus for to seek Saul.
He found him and brought him to
Antioch, and for a whole year they
abode there and taught much people.
After Barnabas had persuaded the
apostles that Saul was really disci-
pie he preached so boldly at Jerusalem
in the name Of the Lord Jesus that
the Grecians went about to slay him.
Then the brethren sent him to C9sa-
rea and to Tarsus Gx, 2G-3D, and there
he had evidently continued until now,
and we can have no doubt but that he
proved q faithful witness in his own
city and to his own people. 1t is re-
freshing to see Barnabas and Saul to-
gether again and to find them teaching
the people at Antioch for a whole year.
Very much is often accomplished in a
week or even few days Of Bible
study, but how great things must have
been accomplished in that year Of
teaching by these two Spirit filled men
at Antioch! The church today sorely
needs simple Bible teaching, that the
people may learn to eat the word Of
God.
q. 28. And in these days came prophets
from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Their message was not cheerful
one. for tidings Of coming famine
are anything but cheerful, yet it is we'll
to be forewarned. If you have learned
some helpful lessons from the famine
stories in connection with Abram,
Isaac, Joseph, Elimelech and the 9th
ers, you will not lack for profitable
meditation upon these verses. 1t Is
blessed to so trust in the Lord and
have our hope in Him that we shall
be as trees planted by the waters,
spreading out our roots by the river,
with leaves always green. not seeing
when heat cometh and not careful in
the year of drought nor ceasing from
yielding fruit (Jer xvii. Z. s..
q, 80. Then the disciples. every man ac-
cording to his ability. determined to send
relief unto the brethren which dwelt In
Judaa, which also they did and sent 1t to
the elders by the hands Of Barnabas and
Saul.
Paul afterward taught thus: IF we
have sown unto you spiritual things, is
it a great thing if we shall reap your
carnal things" Il Cor. iX. H. See
also his plain and helpful teaching on
the privilege Of giving us II Cor. viii
and tx, concerning willing mind, and
a cheerful giver because Of the grace
Of God to us in Christ and His making
all grace abound toward us. Doubtless
some teaching on the same lines had
been given during this year at Anti
och, and now the fruit is manifest. On