Democratic messenger., 1903-03-07
The SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lesson Comments For
March s.
Subiec:: Paul at Ephesus. Acts xix, 1920
-Golden Text, Acts XIX, i7-Mcmory
Verses. 1870 Commentary on
th: Days LessoH.

Easabond Jews defeated Tvs l3lO. 10.
Nagabond- They were similar
to modern gypsleS and fortune tellers.
Certain Jews who went about from Place
to place, processing by charms and spells 10
cure diseases. EXorcists' Men who, by
the authority OF the name OF some power.
full being soiemnly assumed to require the
demon TO depart effectively TO he
obeyed Call over them" Knowing that
Paul cast out demons through the name OF
Jesus. they thought that by using the same
name they could produce, the same effects
we command you as under the soIemnity
OF an oath. Whom Paul preacheth." Ne
doubt they had often heard Paul proclaim
the divinity of Christ in the hall OF Tyran-
nus.
IA. "A chief prizes; = Chief priest in the
New Testament usually refers to men .!
the prlestly order who were also rulers in
the Sanhedrin. This man was Jewish
chief priest CT distinction, and had he'd
the Office of ruler
IS. Evil spirit answered" The evil
spirit in the man spoke through the man.
Compare MARI, ;; II. Jesus. know"
thority and I know Paul as Ills servant
Who are yc:" \ on have no power or an.
thority. You are not His followers and so
only pretenders in the use OF His name.
10. Both Of them II appears that
only two OF the seven sons were present
on this occasion. Prevailed F" The man
their clothing and wounded the;- bodies.
so that they fled in disgrace from His pres
ence Sc, ,eral similar instances are re.
coiGed. See Mark ): >; o: 1920; Luke 0:
q. Naked This need not be taken in
its strict sccse. 1t could be applied tc
those stripped partially of their raiment
IL. This became known" Gradually
the news was spread abroad. "Fear fell
This occurrence caused a great sensation,
and produced fear of that mysterious
power which was ascribed to the name Of
Jesus. The Ephesians were so bound up
IN belief in magic that il seemed necessary
to show that the gospel was mightier than
these other powers, which came from Sa.
tan. the father of deceit WAS magni.
fed. The transaction showed that the
miracles performed in the name OF the
Lord Jesus by Paul were real and proved
the doctrine he taught. Impostors could
not work such miracles. and :nose who
pretended to do so only exposed them.
selves to the rage of the evil spirits. 1t was
thus shown that there was a real vital diff.
ference between Paul and these impostors.
and their failure only served to extend his
reputation and the power of the gospel.
Even demons are compelled to glorifv
Christ when God so wills it. The name Of
Jesus is glorited. |. In His servants by
their victories. .. In His enemies by their
defeat
Many converted Tvs. lS-o0). IS. That
had believed" These were either professed
Christians whose conversion had not been
genuine, and wfose consciences were now
so powerfully wrought upon that they were
led to confess their sins, or new converts
TO Christianity who. before this time had
not received the light on these things
Game and confessed" When the con-
science is truly awakened there will always
I. t.1..w. Ia. F.
Declaring their deeds They told how
they had been connected with superstition.
practices, and had INDUCED in witchcraft
snd sorcerv which were not consistent with
Christianity.
TO- Curious arts" Arts or practices re.
quiring skill and cunning. such as magic
and sleight OF hand. which are practiced so
extensively in Eastern countries. Such arts
were very popular at Ephesus. The ce,e.
grated "Ephesan letters were small slips
OF parchment in silk bags, on which were
written strange words and sentences. and
were carried about on the person as charms
Or amulets to shield from danger or to pro.
cure good fortune. Books" There were
no books then such as we have now: these
books were parchment rolls which con.
tanned their mysteries and described their
heathen practices. Burned them" etc.
Confession is cheap. but reformation is Of.
ten costly. A false penitence would have
and the credit for piety. Such burning
pie must have attracted great attention
and caused a commotion in Ephesus. BE.
fore all men," Publicly. The course these
people pursued would. ]. Show that they
renounced the sins of which they had been
guilty. =. Show that they never expected
TO return to them. 3. Remove the temp
tation to return. 4. Prevent Others from
being injured by them. 5. BE public ties.
tlmonv in favor of the truth. g. Show
their JOY in their conversion. Fifty thou.
sand pieces" The sacrifice was verv great.
The $1,000 pieces of silver. if reckoned in
Jewish money (shekcls) would be about
S35. 600; if in Greek (drachmasl as is more
probable. about $4,000. But this gives no
idea OF the purchasing power OF the money.
A days wages then was only penny, and
at the rate of wages here. the sum would
amount to from $4,000 to 100000
20. so" This word 80" is divine
rom heaven. :Mishtily." With overpoWs tgWs
.ring force and strength which nothing
could resist. Grew" The truth grew in
favor with the people, and there were
many. conversions and accessions to the
! church. The word of God grew in power
and intensity and led to marvellous deeds
II selfreaunciation as well as to the mani.
estation OF great solemnity and JOY "And
prevailed 1t prevailed. ]. Over the cor.
-uptiol OF the natural heart-leading those
who had heard the gospel to turn from
lead Idols to serve the living God. 3
over the opposition OF the powers of evil
manifested in the exposure of Sceva's sons
md the deliverance of the man possessed.
}: Over the besetting sins OF believers-en.
,bing those who had received the word to
shake themselves free from the love of
magic and the fascinations of money. While
:he church was being stirred to confession
md reformation, a deep impression was
,lso being made upon the community, lead
ng to fear and veneration. il not to convic-
aon and conversion. We should notice also
the absolute exclusiveness of Christianity
aot mix with other religions. but must pre-
tail over them.