The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1902-05-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY &.
Subject: The Church, at Antioch in Syria
Acts XII, 19-3O-Golden Text, Acts XII,
21-Memory Verses, 22-24-Commen-
tarY on the Days Lesson.

tary on the Days Lesson.
10. (which were scattered abroad"
We now turn back to chapter S: IA, and
trace in new direction the history or the
church. The authorities tried to blow out
the gospel fire kindled by the Holy Spirit,
but it only made it burn the brighter.
They lashed the fire, 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 "a
point little south of Tyre, and embrace
ing the two cities of Tyre and Sidon.
Cyprus" A large island in the Madi-
terranean Sea, sixty miles from the coast
OF Palestine. 1t was remarkable for its
richness of soil and the dissoluteness of it's
Barnabas, and one OF the fields of PauFs
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. Az yet they did not know that
the Gentiles we're to receive the gospel;
90 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." city
Of northern, Africa, ""spake unto the
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 interposition 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" (R.
W This excludes the idea that it was
a communication sent from the brethren
at Antioch. 1t was natural that such q
remarkable occurrence as the conversion
of large number of Genties should be
reported at Jerusalem. The church,.
IN Jerusalem EN- This was the original
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-
ton to the work. They had done q sim
liar thing. at the time OF the revival which
occurred in Samaria Acts S: IA: ''3arna-
bas." He was peculiarly fitted for this
work. He was Levite and native of
Cyprus. "As far as Antioch" Implying
that there we're churches on the way to
visit.
90. "When he came" The result is brief
ly recorded under three heads l. What he
he was glad. 8. What he did-he exhorted
them all. THE grace of God" The favor,
mercy and power of Christ in the CONVEX
sion of the Gentiles. WAS glad" He at
once owned the work and rejoiced IN it,
though the converts were uncircuncised.
He saw nothing in the work of waieh he
could disapprove; it was genuine. Elk
horted them" Entreated them. We find
him exercising here the peculiar gift for
which he was distinguished. The appella-
ton which he received from the apostles
(chap. f. 36) describes a particular trait
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 CT
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 see 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
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 I'M
bounded confidence in Jesus Christ and
the gospel he was preaching. He knew
there was no chance for failure. Much
people" There were many conversions
and accessions to the church
%. ITO Tarsus." SauPs native city; less
than hundred miles from Antioch if the
journey was made by water. 1t will be
remembered that when the Jews at Jeru-
sent him to Tarsus. Chap. 8: 30. To
seek Saul" Barnabas was well acquainted
with Saul and had introduced him to the
church at Jerusalem Co., 10 and it he>
been suggested that he may have known
him in his youth.
&C. 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 ridcule. But DR..
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 heather
may have coined it.
81, Prophets" This was applied ~
to those who were engaged in preaching
or explaining the word of God Il Cor. IA:
81, and also (2) to those who foretold
future events as Agahus did here.
2S. "Agabus." We know nothing of
this prophet except what we learn here
and in chap. 2l: lQr ''By the Spirit
While under she Influence of the Holy
Spirit. Great dearth." "a great fam
inc" f. v. "All the world" This
probably means here, the land of Judea
and adjacent countries; though some APP
ply it to the whole Roman empire. Game
to pass" The famine continued two
years, A. D. A., 45. During the reign of
Claudius "a, D. '5l-54) there were four
famines in different parts of the empire.
90. "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 dwet in Judea." They evidently
did not expect the famine would extend