The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-04-02
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
April 5.
Subject: Paui's Farewento Ephcsus, Acts x&
lS'3S-Golden Text, Acts Xxx, 55-
Memory verses, 3l.34-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

WI buy
/. The character Of Paul's ministry al
Ephesus Tvs. lS-2D. 1t was, |. A ministry
OF unwearied. diligent service. (D He
served the Lord. (2) He served the people.
He was devoted and faithful, preaching
publicly and privately and laboring with
his. hands. His service was constant and
arduous. .. Characterized by whole.
hearted conservation. g. A humble min.
istry. Paul had humble opinion of him.
self He ascribed to God all the glory. 4.
a ministry of fervent sympathy. 5. A
ministry of thoroughness and consequent
unpopularity.
H. Paups faithfulness Tvs. 22.27). In
the midst of bonds and Affections, while
facing death, he did not falter, but
preached the gospel, declaring the whole
counsel of God, with joy. He says, al am
pure from the blood of all men" This
form OF expression is very striking. 1t is
borrowed from the crime of murder, and
the method by which guilt is ordinarily
brought home to the criminal. In many
cases. conviction depends on blood being
found on the clothes of the murderer. This
ic the conception that leaps into the apos
ties mind He is conscious of his per.
formance of duty, and il any are lost who
had heard the, gospel from his lips, their
blood will not be required at his hands.
III. The elders admonished Tvs. 2S-3l).
2S. Take heed" "How unspeakable the
loss of soul! He shudders at the thought,
and in order to quicken their diligence
when they should return to their labor he
endeavors to impart some OF his own anx.
iety to the elders. He, in effect, invites
them TO look to their hands and garments,
to make sure there is no blood on them"
'"All the flock" The work of these divine.
ly called bishops. or elders. is to shepherd
the church of God; to nourish it with
truth; to lead it to the way of Christ; to
watch over and guard against the entrance
OF evil. and to administer such rule and
discipline as. is dyinely delegated. The
term flock is Chrst's favorite figure.
The supreme motive is fidelity. cover.
ssee"s., I'm the sending forth Of Saul and
Barnabas we learn the truth which Paul
here declares, that in every genuine an.
pointment of bishops or elders it is the
Holy Ghost who selects, calls and appoints
tc the office and the work. No valid min.
istry is exclusively man-made." "His own
blood.' The death of Christ was an atom.
ing sacrifice; He offered Himself to pur.
chase a peonle to His own service. The
church is, therefore. of peculiar value--a
value to be esteemed by the price paid fo,
it. This is here called the blood of God as
being. the blood Of that man who was God
manifest in the flesh.
20. 81 know" From observation. from
experience and from the insight given him
by the Holy Spirit. Wolves" The enc.
mics of Christ and His church. Those who
taught false doctrines. evil principles and
bad morals, and who brought worldliness
and st.fe into the church. Such were like.
y to come in. sleeps clothing Matt.
Z: l5). under the guise of friends and
teachers. Not sparing." Seeking their
own selfish interests regardless of the
souls they might DESTROY.
3O. "Of your own selves" The enemies
are described. on the one hand, as raven.
ing. wolves, that is, men who are seducers
and murderers OF souls, and, on the other,
as false brethren who arise in the church
itself, and who, with, specious words, teach
false and dangerous doctrines. The former
may he easily recognized; the latter are
more insidions and dangerous. "Perverse
things" Truths distorted from their
true meaning. The most dangerous errors
are truths thus perverted. There is truth
enough to make some believe them and er.
rror enough to injure or ruin those who do
believe"
81. Watch" As a man on guard.
Remember" NY counsel and admoni.
tions. Three years" The history ac.
counts for two years and three months
(chap. 49, Sl0). and to this may be added
the time which probably preceded His
teaching in the synagogue. "The two
statements need not be conflicting. In the
only consist of one who'n venr and parts Of
that which preceded and followed" with
tears" These show the love, earnestness,
humility and tenderness with which Paul
preached even the sternest truths.
". The elders eyhorted to unselishness
supnort to those who trust Him. "Word
Of His grace" "The truths of the gospel
The gospel originates, in grace; reveals
rrace; produces grace" "Build YOU up"
"The foundation of faith had been laid
and the structure of a comnete Christian
character was to he reared through the in.
sstrumeintolitv OF, the gosnel."" ,"A,n inher;
hlessedness of the redeemed. "Sauctificd." ="
Those who have been made holy. 1t is
eloriously possible to he sanctified-made
holy-in this life. When the converted
person discovers that sin still exists in the
soul. he should Immediately come to Christ
by faith for complete cleansing. Please
examine the following Scriptures. J.. Pro-
visions are made in the atonement for the
complete removal OF all sin (Iech l3: !;
Eph. 5: 25'27; Titus .: IA: Heb. u; II;
John 3: 81. g. 1t is promised Il Thess. 5:
"a: John |: o.. 8. Commanded Il Pet.
/: l6l. 4: Prayed for CPsa. 81: 10; John
II: II; Thess, 81 23). 8. 1t is the Office
work of the Holy Ghost to sanctfy as well
az to regenerate rom. l5: IS; Thess. 2:
10; Pet. !: q. Q. 1t is received by faith
(Acts Is; o.
1895. Coveted" I have not made it
an object of my living among you to obtain
your property. Paul had power to demand
support in the ministry as the reward of
his labors, but he did not choose to exer-
else it, lest it should bring the charge OF
avarice against the ministry. Yet in Gal.
@: and ! Cor. 0: TIA, he distinctly
teaches that 'they which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel" "These hands"
Paul showed, both by example and pre-
cept, that labor is honorable. "The
words" etc. The words recorded here are
not in the gospels, but they are in perfect
accord with the teachings of Jesus. John
says that great many of Christ's sayings
are not recorded. More blessed" when
the Lord intimated that the blessedness of
giving is the greater He did not intimate
that the joy of receiving was small. He
pr5claims in one sentence the twofold
truth. that the JOY of His people in obtain
ing is great, and His own in bestowing it
is greater"
V. The closing scene Tvs. 36-3s). 1898.
"Kneeled." ''The usual attitude of prayer,
and the proper position of a suppliant It
indicates reverence and humility" "Wept
sore" Wept much. Kissed" This was
the common token of affection. Sorrow
ing" This was a most tender and affec-
tionatc parting scene. May God grant to
every minister the spirit which Paul
evinced at this time.