The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-12
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY Is.

Subject: The Second Persecution, Acts
", 25-42 Golden Text, Matt. W. 10
Memory Verses, 40-42- - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
25. "Told them" The Sanhedrin is re
lieved of its perplexity as to the where.
abouts of its prisoners by messenger
who says they are in the temple repeating
the ofense for which they were i'm
prisoned. The hall of judgment was not
far from where the apostles were. teach
standing implies the prominent and un
daunted position which the apostles had
taken up.
26. Captain" The captain of the tenn
pie. V. "a. This was the commander O.
the guard stationed chiefly in the tower
of Antonia, especially during the grea'
feasts, and it was his duty to preserve or
der and prevent any tumult. "Withou'
violence" Not by binding them. "Fearet
the people," All that the apostles did wal
in behalf of the people. They had helpee
them, cured them and supplied theil
wants and brought them new life ant
is well to make use of it for the advance
ment of the gospel, but it is not wise tt
trust to it, as it is tickle, and it should
never be sought as an end, for the pursuit
e8. "StTaitly.5 Strictly. "Command.'
They speak to Gods servants as though
the command Of the council was the high
est authority that might be-: The first
charge is for disobediercc. Teaching in
Jesus's name was the foundation of all the
trouble at hand. "Filled Jerusalem" A
the faithfulness of the apostles in theil
mission, yet given to prove that their evi,
influence had wide effect, and stood as
lawful charge against them. Intend tc
bring" They had very daringly cried,
"His blood be on us and on our Children"
when they were determined that Jesus
should be put to death; yet now they con.
sidered the apostles very much out OF
place in bringing this fact before the pub
lie. and also of accusing them with it.
"Thjs mans blood" You intend to hold
US, before the people, answerable for the
blood of Jesus. If Jesus was the Messiah,
This charge stirred them deeply. The
judges take the place of culprits. and com.
plain of being accused of murder. That
the apostles charged the Sanhedrin with
the murder of Jesus was true;' that they
sought to arouse insurrection was false.
90. peter" In every time of test all
eyes turn to him. He seems, by his cour.
age, ever ready to atone for his past fail.
ures. In him the Holy Ghost had com
plete control. "Other apostles" They
agreed with his statements, and gave wit
ness as they were called upon. "To obey
God" We have received our commission
command of men. This was a very wise
reply. Could the council deny that God
should be first? Peter would seem to say
that if they opposed and silenced them
they fought against divine purposes. In
this reply Peter expressed true reverence
and devotion to God.
80. "God of our fathers" Peter was as
good Jew as Annas, and looked back as
directly to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as
"the fathers" as did the old priest. They
preached no strange God, and He who so
highly honored the patriarchs,. Moses and
the prophets had yet more highly hon.
ored Jesus Christ. Raised up" The res
ness to the Messiahship of Jesus. But 9th.
srs think that the term "raised up" means
merely that God had sent Jesus into the
charge of murderous guilt.
81. Exalted" BY His resurrection and
ascension. "a Prince and Saviour" He
was not the blasphemer they had called
Him. He was rot guilty of disloyalty to
God. His eXaltation proved that. 10
give repentance" Though shamefully
treated He walked among men He has
power to save and offers grace to His muir.
derers.
50. $50 is also the Holy Ghost" The
works that the apostles were preaching
the truth. THAT obey Him." As it was
then so it is now, the Holy Ghost is given
To those who obey God
33. Were cut" Enraged. "The rea.
sons for this were, l. Because the apos'
ties had disregarded their command. 2.
Because they charged them with murder.
B. Because the affirmed the resulTec'
tion of Jesus" "Were minded to slay
them" (R. W That is, they wished to
slay them. TO get rid of one mans blood
they would take the lives Of twelve more.
81. "a Pharisee:" As Pharlsee and
disciples. "Gamaliel." The same person
mentioned in Acts %: 3 as the teacher OF
st. Paul. doctor" Teacher and inter
prefer of the law of Moses. ''In reputa'
tion." He was honored by the people. He
appears to have been regarded by the
Jews as one OF their most iliustrious teach
srs. He was a man of an enlarged and re.
fned mind. Put the apostles FORTH He
desired that they be removed frcm the
loom while their cases were being consid-
cred. They, were recalled in v. 40.
IN outline OF the speech.
SO. Before these days" This is not
he first time that zealots or seditionists
aavc appeared. For the sake of effect Ga
naliel puts the case as if these, prisoners
you'd turn out to be persons of this stamp,
out before closing he is careful to remind
hem that there was another possibility:
'Theudas." This was a common name,
md the period following the death OF
Herod the Great was full OF revolts. Noth1
ng is known definitely of this man be-
iond what we have here in this verse: >.
81. Judas" Josephus mentions this
man. and his account confirms the state.
nent made here. "The taxing" Of the
Jews by the Roman Government. The
laxing consequent to it. Drew away.
Judas urged the people to refuse to pay the
tax and to assert their liberty.
IS. For it," Gamaiiel does not com,
nit himself. His are the words OF shrewd
p g. "if it be of God" Without declar-
ing the truth to be on the side Of the prls.-
oners, he argues the question from that
p 4O "Beaten them" Whipping was a
common mode of punis hment among the
Jews. The usual number of lashes was
thirty-nine. See Cor. IL: "a:
Al. "Reioicing." Matt. 5; II. u; ! Pet.
d. l2-l6: Phil. 8: 10; Col. L: a. "Wor-
thv." Fit subjects to suffer as Jesus had
suffered. "Shame." To be disgraced in
the estimation of tie JEWS rulers.
42. "Ceased not" The prosecutions
they were undergoing did not dampen thev
veal or courage.
Dividend on Pew Rents.