The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-01-16
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
January 10.
Subject: The Early Christian Church, Acts H..
1.H-Golden Text, Acts xL, T-Mem-
ory Verses, 37-39- Commentary
On the Days Lesson.

81. "They were prcked." These ear
lest words delivered by the apostle
'pricked" in their hearts. This word de-
totes to pierce or penetrate with needle,
ind thus to pierce with grief or acute
,ain of any. kind. They were stung with
emorse and alarm; convicted Of sin and
leeply distressed "Men and brethren"
This was an expression denoting affection.
tie carnestness. what shall we do"
How can we escape the wrath that seems
certain to fall upon us because of having
.rucified the Messiah? This is the ques-
ion asked by every penient sinner See
Acts o: 9; l6: 80. They had sense of
quilt and danger and a readiness to yield
20 the claims of God. Every door of hope
,eemed shut in their faces, but a great
leal is done when men begin to inquire
;he way.
3s. "Peter said" Peter does not act
rs superior to the other apostles but as
,pokesman for all of them. Repent"
Evangelical repentance is, first, contrition;
iecond. reformation.
80. For the promise" The promised
Influences of the Holy Shirt, and of par
Ion and salvation through repentance and
iaith in the Redemer. Unto you" Even
,he murderers of Gods Son were included
20 the invitation to come and repent and
openly confess Christ and live for the
glory OF His name.
4O Many other words" Thus we see
that this account is only a brief report of
PETERS discourse "Testifv" The same
word is translated "charge" in l Tim.
!: 81, and might be so rendered here. He
pore witness to the promises of Christian
ty; to the truths pertaining TO the danger
)f sinners and to the truth respecting the
character of that generation. "Exhort."
Entreating them by arguments and prom
.ses. Save yourselves" Do those things
necessary to your salvation. Forsake
your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus
christ. This crooked generation" (R.
W They were to save themselves from
.he condemnation pronounced against that
wicked and backslidden nation. (which
had upon it the guilt Of special crime, and
4 doom Of special destruction" Many
man has lived in crooked generation and
has kept straight.
Al. "Then." Immediately, at the close
of the sermon. A prompt acceptance of
she word is the beginning of true conver-
sion. That received His word" Or. w
While GLADLY" is omitted in the r. ",
vet it is true that those who come to
Christ should come gladly, rejoicing in
the, privilege Of becoming reconciled to
God" "Were baptized" As a sign that
they had accepted Christ as their Saviour
THE same day" While 5000 were added
to the number of Christians in one dav. it
does not say that this number was hap-
tized in one day. 'Three thousand" This
was glorious beginning for the infant
aouraged. Souls" Persons. This was
the first efusion of the Holy Spirit under
the preaching of the gospel. and it shows
that such scenes are to be expected in the
church, and that the gospel is fitted to
work a rapid and mighty change in the
hearts of men. This was an amazing
draught of fishes on the part of Peter.
80 "They continued steadfaat'y." Per-
severance is the result of a fixed purpose.
Peter was definite in his preaching. The
people were definite in their decisions.
I'm the APOSTLES doctrine" In the doc
trine taught by the apostles, which they
received of Jesus and preached under the
inspiration Of the Holy Ghost. Any at
tempt to edfy without instruction and
doctrine as the basis is neither in accord
ance with the example and command of
Jesus. nor with the practice and prnci-
, pies Of the apostles, and is therefore un-
evangelical. "And fellowship" The
| ''In breaking of bread" In token of their
love, and unity as the family Of God, the
| brethren of one Parent. "In prayers"
| United prayer strengthened the tie OF
| Christian brotherhood, and kept them
baptized into one Spirit.
43. Fear came" Awe and reverence
| took the place of human philosophy. No
| frivolous conversation had place among
| them, but rather pious. devotional atti,
| tude possessed them. "Many signs and
wonders were done" Not human expe-
riments but divine operations through
men devoted to the service Of God.
"a. "Al things common" Themselves
and all they had belonged to God, to
whom also belonged their poorer brethren.
| and they held what they possessed IN trust
for God and His saints. There was nd
community of goods absolutely and univer-
sally enforced as a necessary and permo-
nent arrangement of the church. This is
| Is; Heb. 10: "a; 10: 2. 5, Is; Cor. ll6; 2.
45. Possessions" Lands, houses
Goods" Personal property. parted y
Indicating that the sale and distribution
took place from time to time as called for
HAD need" They did not sell all Their
their property, but they so far regarded
all as common as to be willing to part with
| it If it was needful to supply the wants ol
| the others. 1t is still the duty of the
church to supply the needs of its poor
members.
mean that they were continually in the
temple, but they did not forsake the, tenn
| ple services and were present at the hours
| of prayer-at o o'clock in the morning, at
| noon, and at in the afternoon. Break
ing bread at home" Or. W This may
mean that select companies ate together
| at their lodgings when they returned from
| public worship This was probably an or
dinary meal, eaten together. and closing
with the Lords supper. Meat" This
means food Of any kind, '"Gladness,' y Re
| joicing This is one Of the effects OF the
grace of God. Gloom cannot exist IN a
heart where the Holy Ghost dwells. Sin
| gleness of heart This means with a sin
cere and pure heart, They were satisfied
and thankful. There was no deceit or hy
| pocrisy.
~. "Praising God" Their hearts were
| full of praise. II is as natural for Chris
tians to praise God as to breathe. HAY
ing favor" The common people heard
them gladly, They were esteemed foi
their simplicity and charity. and for the
| purity and loveliness of their lives. The
| Jewish leaders had not yet entered into :
systematic opposition to them. "The LORD
| added" It is the work of the Holy Ghost
| to save men and bring them into tn,
church "That were being saved Or. ",
| Only saved men are fit subjects to be re
ceived into the Christian church When Z
church becomes filled up with unsaved
worldly people, it ceases to be churcf
and sinks to the level of mere social in
stitution.