Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-04-04
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lecs Comments Fer
April S.
SEbicct: Paul's FarewclltO Ephesus, Ae:s Sx.
2S'SS-Golden Text, Acts xx., SS-
Memory verses, 3l-34-Commentary
on the Days Lesson

on the Days Lesson.
l. The character CT Paul's ministry al
Ephesus Tvs. lS-2D. 1t was, !. A ministry
OF mwearled, di.igent service. ID He
served the Lord. % lie served the people.
lie was devoted and faithful, preaching
publicly and privately and laboring with
his hands. His service was constant and
arduous. >. characterized by whole.
istiy. Paul had humble opinion OF him.
sell. He ascribed to God all the glory. 4.
A ministry of fcrvent sympathy. >. 4
ministry OF tao.oughncss and consequent
unpopuaritr.
II. PaL's faithfulncss Tvs. 22a7). In
the midst OF bonds and Affections. while
facing death, he did not falter, but
counsel of God, with JOY. He says, II am
pure from the hood 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. liz many
eases 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.
fornance of duty. and if any are lost who
had heard the gospel from his lips, their
blood will not be required at bis hands.
III. The elders admonished Tvs. 2S-3l).
IS. Take heed" How unspeakab.e the
los. 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.
10 make sure there is no blood on them"
IAN the flock" The worl, OF these divine.
" called bishops. or elders. is to shepherd
fl,n nl.t 81 IN H., 4,
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 divinely delegated. The
term flock" is Christ's favorite figure.
The supreme motive is fidelity. over.
see-s.' I'm the sending forth of Saul and
Barnabas we learn the truth which Paul
here declares. that in every genuine ap.
nointment 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 .peon.e to His own service, The
church is. therefore. OF peculiar va,ue--a
value TO be esteemed by the price paid for
it.. This is here called the blood of God az
being the blood OF that man who was God
manifest in the flesh.
90. Il know" From observation. from
experience and from the insight given him
by the re H Holy Spirit "Wolvss The enc
taught false doctrines. evil principles and
bad morals. and who brought worldliness
and st.ife into the church. Such were like.
" to core in sheen's clothing Matt.
Z: Isl. under the guise of friends and
teachers. Not sparing." Seeking their
own selfish interests regardless of the
souls thev might DESTROY.
~1,a
are described. on the one hand. as raven
ing wolves. that is. men who are scdurers
and murderers OF souls. and. on the other.
as false brethren who arise in the church
itself and who. with spacious words. teach
false and dangerous doctrines. The former
more irsidious 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.
ror enough to injurc or riin those who do
believe"
81. Watch" As a man on guard.
tions. '"rhree years" Tho history nc.
counts for two yerrs and three months
fchap. 10: S'0l. and to this may he added
the time which probably preceded His
teaching in the synagogue. Tho two
statements reed not hn conflicting. Tn the
Jewish mode Of speech. three years need
or.v consist of one who" .car and parts Of
fears" These show the love. ea-restness.
humility and tenderness with which Paul
preached even the stcrnest truths.
". The elders e>hnrtea to nnselishress
Tvs. 32-3',. 20. ITO God" An almighty
sunn>rt to those who trust Him. "Word
cf His grace The truths of the cospel.
The gosp~l originates in grace: reveals
Tst,tid mn
Tho foundation of faith had been laid,
and the structure of cornpicte Christian
character was t. he reared throrrh the in.
strume-taity OF tho gosre," AN inner.
itance;." Eternal life: The. final glory and
b'essedness Of the redeemed. "Sanctiied."
glorious'y noss,h'e to he sanctiied-made
ho'y-in this life. When the converted
person discovers that sin still exists in the
soul he should Immediately come to Christ
by faith for a complete cleansing. Please
examine the following Scriptures. ]. Pro.
visions are made in the atonement for the
complete removal of all sin Czech IL: !:
JOIN ?: 81. .. 1t is promised Il Thess. S:
"a: John l: o.. 2. Commanded Il Pet.
!: l6l g. Prayed fo- (Psa 81: 10; John
II. IL: Thess. 5: 90. 5. 1t is the Office
work OF the Hoy Ghost to sanctify as well
a. to rescnerate rom. ID: 49,: Thess. .:
l3; Pet. :: .. G. 1t is received by faith
1895. ..Coveted." I have not made it
a. o0;cct OF my living among YOU to obtain
yoIr property. Paul had power to demand
supper. in the ministry as the reward of
his labors. but he did not choose to cXer
else it. lest it should bring thc charge of
avarice arainst the ministry. Yet. in Gal.
C: and l Cor. o: IA. he distinctly
teaches that they which preach the gospel
should live OF the gospel" These hands"
Paul showed, both by example and pre-
cept tina: labor is honorable. 'rhe
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 rot recorded More blessed" when
the Lord intimated that the biesscdness OF
giving is the greater He did not intimate
that tie joy of receiving was small He
pr oclaims 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). cS.3s.
"kneeled." The usual attitude of prayer,
and the proper position of suppliant. 1t
indicates reverence and humility" "Wept
sor,." Wcpt much. Kissed" This was
the common token of affection. Sorrow
ing This was most tender and affec-
tomato parting scene. MAY God grant to
every minister the spirit which Paul
evinced at this time.