The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-05-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
May 4.
Subject: The Church at Antioch Ia Syria, Acts
xi., iS.3o-GoIden Text, Acts xL, IL
Memory Verses. z2.2i-C Commen.
tary ou the Days Lesson.

trace in new direction the history of the
church. The authorities tried to blow out
the gospel fire kindled by the Holy Spirit,
but it only made IL burn the brighter
They lashed the ire. but it only sent the
sparks 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. "Phenice."
The district between the Mediterranean
and the mountains of Lebanon, extending
one' hundred and twenty miles from
point a little south of Tyre, and embrac.
ing the two cities OF Tyre and Sdon.
Cyprus A large island in the Medi.
terrauean Sea, sixty miles from the coast
of Palestine. 1t was remarkable for its
richness of soil and the dissoluteness of its
inhabitants. II was the birthplace Of
labors. Antioch" This city now be.
comes the new religious centre. unto
| the Jews only" This was the practice of
the Jewish Christians when they left
! Jerusalem. AS yet they did not know that
the Gentiles were to receive the gospel.
20. But there were some" (R. w
| Some Of those scattered abroad because
| Of the persecution. Men of Cyprus, etc."
, These were Greek speaking Jews who,
| having lived abroad. were less scrupulous
about mixing with the Gentiles than were
the Jews of Palestine. '"Cyrene" A city
Greeks" The Gentle Greeks.
81. Hand of the Lord" The hand is
the symbol of power. The expression is a
common one in the Old Testament to ex.
| press the direct interpositon OF God in the
| affairs Of the world. with them" God
showed them favor and evinced His power
in the conversion of their hearers.
%. The report concerning them. ."-'1R.
W This excludes the idea that it was
communication sent from the brethren
| at Antioch II was natural that such
remarkable occurrence as the conversion
of large number of Gentiles 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-
liar thing at the time of the revival which
occurred in Samaria. Acts 8: Ia. "Barna-
bas." He was peculiarly fitted for this
work He was Levite and a 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. 2. What he felt
he was glad. 3. What he did-he exhorted
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 uncircumcised
He saw nothing in the work ef which he
horted them" Entrcated ihem. ". ind
him exercising here the peculiar gift for
which he was distinguished. The appella-
tion which he received from the apostles
lAha A. -. IL. A.--.A IA
in his style OF preaching. He comforted
and encouraged them. We owe every
thing to the people who encourage US.
You owe very little to the man who mere
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.
"a. For" Here we sec the reason why
Barnabas was so successful Good man."
Thus it is possible for poor, weak, sinful
man to be saved and cleansed from his sins
so that in the eyes OF the Lord he win be
good" Barnabas was deeply pious, and
exemplifed the grace of God by living
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 He knew
there was no chance Tor failure Much
people," There were many conversions
and accessions to the church.
%. TO Tarsus." SauPs native city; less
than hundred miles from Antioch il the
journey was made by water. It will be
salem sought to kill Saul the brethren
sent him to Tarsus. Chap. 8: 80. "To
seek Saul" Barnabas was well acquainted
with Saul and had introduced him to the
church at Jerusalem 70; 27); and it has
been suggested that he may have known
him in his youth.
26. Assembled" We doubt not they
assembled weekly, upon the Lords day;
for the earliest ecclesiastical history finds
Sunday the sacred day at Antioch, and it
is utterly improbable that any alteration
took place OF the day then first estab-
lished by the apostles. Christians" 1t
is most probable that this name was given
them by the brethren in ridicule. But DIR.
Clarke seems to favor the idea that the
name is of divine appointment" and was
| given by Saul and Barnabas There is no
necessity to discuss this question for the
name is from God even though the heathen
may have coined it.
to those who were engaged in preaching
81, and also (2) to those who foretold
future events as Agabus did here.
28. "Agabus." We know nothing of
this prophet except what we learn here
and in chap. 81: 10. "By the Spirit" I"
While under the influence of the Holy
Spirit Great dearth." "a great fam
ine." h. " GAN the world This
probably means here, the land of Judea
and adjacent countries; though some ap-
ply it to the whole Roman empire. Game
to pass" The famine continued two
years. A. d. A, 40. During the reign of
Claudius "a. ID. 5l-54) there were four
famines in different parts of the empire.
20. "The disciples" The church at
Antioch Note that "every man" sent
something. There evidently were no pc
nurious people in the church at that time.
(Which dwelt in Judea." They evidently
did not expect the famine would extend
to Antioch.
80. "To the elders" To be distributed
to those in need This was SauPs second
visit to Jerusalem since his conversion.
Names Spoon.
A curious find has just been made
at Samrishamn. in Sweden. At low
water sailor discovered among the