Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-02-04
True and False
Brotherhood
Sunday Schssl Lesson fer Feb. 7, lsoe
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TExT.-Lying lips are an
abomination to the Lord; but they that
deal truly are his deiight.-Prov. l222
TIME.-Vs. 1916 probably cover Pc
riod of some length. The exact date OF
the Ananias incident IL unknown. Be-
tween A ID. 30 and a.
PLACE.-Jerusslem Probably at the
usual meeting place OF the disciples
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 80. "Joses." One form OF Joseph"
"Surnamed Barnabas." A Hebrew
name. derived from bar. son, and
Nabuah 'prophesying, pouring out
words as from fountain, the impell-
ing force being the divine inspiration"
"The name seems to have been con-
ferred upon him by the general con-
sent of his friends, as kind of de-
gree or pet name. Biblical World.
Being interpreted from Hebrew into
Greek, The son of consolation, com
forting," "exhortation," as in the r. V.
Neither definition alone Is complete;
II takes both 10 give the meaning OF
the original Greek word, which is the
same word as that given to the Holy
Spirit by Jesus John 1910, "the
the side of, and kaleo, to CALI or sum-
mon, for comfort or help as an advo-
cate, counselor. comforter.
What Barnabas, filed with the Holy
Spirit, did for others was similar, at
least In most respects, to that which
the Holy Spirit does for us His work
was far greater than that implied by
the familiar definition OF comforting
to soothe. 10 bring tranquil enjoyment.
He was like the advocate in Greek and
Latin courts, a powerful friend in
whose wisdom. knowledge, influence
and affection the client had conf
dence, and who advised aided,
strengthened and comforted him. Bar
nabas had great gift by his words,
character and personality OF comfort
ing others by invigorating them, in
spring them with new life, strength
ening their faith and hope, giving them
fresh courage. He was like a fountain
Of the water OF life.
Comforting" from two Latin words,
means making strong together. Moth
ing is worthy of the name of comfort
that is not invigorating, inspiring, fill
ing the soul full of courage and
strength.
The Holy Spirit comforted the disci-
pies after the death OF Jesus, Just as
Jesus promised. How? By making
the frightened men bold as lions; by
changing them into heroes: by giving
Joy unspeakable when prosecuted, i'm
prisoned, tortured. scattered.
There are two sources Of danger to
the church of Christ
Dangers from without
Dangers from within.
The fires of persecution were kin
died to consume IL. But the church
was like the three heroes in Nebuchad-
nezzar's furnace; the flames did not
harm them, and one like the Son of
God was with them in the flames. And
the light from them caused men TO see
in clearer light the true God and the
Gospel.
Ii advertised the good news; II
scattered the seeds OF truth broadcast
il led to more prayer, a stronger faith
a firmer coruage. more generous Civ
ing, more fervent preaching; II proved
that the piety Of the church was no
temporary excitement, but a steady
burning and shining light.
We now come to a more dangerous
attack, from evil within her ranks
Fire cannot consume, nor waters
drown the church. There is no way
to destroy IL but by enemies within.
The engine is powerless If the fires
fail The light goes out when the
electric current ceases TO flow. We
are to study this attack, learn its les
sons for to-day, and see how God over
ruled even this, by victory over evil
for the advancement of the gospel
" 5. "Ananias fell down, and
gave up the ghost Literally
"breathed out his lfe his soul" In
whatever way 1t came, by the SHOCK
IF the discovery of his sin, or by di
rect stroke from God, II was Gods act
and in no sense the act OF Peter and
the apostles. Very probably they were
as much astonished as anyone. Had
Peter done this act he would have
been a murderer subject 10 the Law
Of the land But he had no hand in
1t whatever.
Why such severity OF punishment
1. II was deserved IL was justice. Eek
act justice is commonly more merci
full in the long run than pity"
g. II was necessary in order to saw,
the church from destruction from
within.
3. 1t was necessary TO counterac
the effect of his conduct upon tn,
world. II would tend to make meI
believe that there was nothing In re
ligion, that there was no such thin,
as conversion and true pity. There
fore. 1t was needful that the deed ant
its spirit should be publicly repu
dated in the most remarkable man
ner, as contrary TO the whole teachin,
and spirit of religion.
4. Thus II was an act OF mercy, no
of hatred or revenge.
A few counterfeit Christians do no
prove that the gospel is failure, o.
the church unworthy. A few deat
trees In the forest, or dried stalks II
the fields, do not prove that spring Il
a failure or that the sun does no
impart real life.
We must be careful not to measure
a man or a society by its imperfection
alone.
The punishment OF sin is an absc
lutte necessity. Those sins Away
......inh ...hioh nnr, h., ,,rnnfirld ,..ItI