Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-03-05
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments Tor
March 8.
Subject: Paul at Ephcsus, Acts xix, l3O
Golden Text, Acts xix, l7-McmOry
Verses, 1870 Commentary on
th: Days Lessod.

to modern gypSeS ana fortune teiiers.
Certain Jews who went about from place
to place, protesting by charms and spells to
cure diseases. 'EXorcists" Men who, by
the authority of the name of some power.
full being soicmnly assumed to require the
demon to depart so effectively AZ 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.
"Adjure you" We bind you by an oath;
we command you as under the soemnIty
OF an oath. "\Nhom Paul preachcth.' No
doubt they had often heard Paul proclaim
the divinity of Christ in the hall OF lyran
nus.
II. "a chief priest" Chief priest il the
New Testament usually refers to men .!
the priesty order who were also rulers in
chef priest Of distinction, and had held
the office OF a ruler.
Is Evil spirit answered. The evil
spirit in the man spoke through the man,
Compare Mark 5: IL. Jesus, know"
etc. That is, ! know His power and au'
"W'ho are ye," lou have no power or au'
thoyty, you are not His followers and SO
only pretenders in the use of His name.
l6. Both of them 1T appears that
on.y two Of the seven sons were present
on this occasion. prevailed y The man
in whom the demon was raging tore of
their clothing and wounded their bodies.
SO that they fled in disgrace from His pres.
cnce. Several similar instances arc re.
corded See Mark ): 3; g. 1923; Luke 9:
~. Naked" This need not be taken in
its strict sense 1t could be applied to
those stripped partially of their raiment.
II. "This became known" Gradually
the news was spread abroad. ''Fear fell
This occurrence caused great sensation,
and produced a fear of that mysterious
power which was ascribed to the name of
Jesus. The EpheSans were SO bound up
in belief in magic that it 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. lmpostors could
not work such miracles. and those who
pretended to do so only exposed them.
seves to the rage Of the evil spirits. it was
thus shown that there was real vital df.
ference between Paul and these impostor
and their failure only served to extend his
reputation and the power of the gospel.
Even demons are compelled to giorify
Christ when God SO wills it. The name OF
Jesus is glorlted. | In His servants by
their victories. 2. In His enemies by their
defeat.
Many converted Tvs. 1920. IS. That
had believed" These were either professed
Christians whose conversion had not been
genuine, and whose consciences were now
so powerfully wrought upon that they were
led TO confess their sins, or new convert.
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
be A humble confession of sins commit ted.
Declaring their deeds" They told how
they had been connected with superstitious
practices, and had INDUCED in witchcraft
and sorcery which were not consistent WITT
Christianity.
l9. Curious arts" Arts or practices re.
quirng skill and cunning. such as magic
and s!eght of hand, which are practiced so
extensively in Eastern countries Such arts
were very popular at EpheSuS. The cc.e.
hrated "Ephcsan 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 amuiets to shield from danger, or to pr.
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
heather practices Burned them etc.
Confession is cheap. but reformation is of
ten costly. A false penitcnce would have
sold these BOOKS: ana Kept pom ,he money
and the crGdlt lor plety., nucn pur,;ns
pIe must nave atlracte9 greaC atlen.ion ..n
and caused comm9tlon IN rr Epnesns. DE, DE-
fore an men, funliciy; me course 'nese
people pursued would J. snow tnai tnev
renouhcea tne SINS Oh WI,rh .,sn i1Su nocted "te
guilty 2. Show that they never expected
to return to them, ). Remove the temp
tatlon to return. 4. lrevent others from
beng injured by them; o. lie pnDhc tes'
tmony IN favor OF the truth: o. ohow
their JOY IN their conversion flity tnou'
sand pieces. The sacr!hce was very great.
The $4,000 pieces or s,'ver' II Ieckohen M
Jewish money (shekels} would be about
$4,000; if in Greek ldrachmas, as Is more
probable, about $93Oo. But TINS gives no
idea OF the purchasing power OF the roneE;