The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-08-12
Jhe
S,n7Soy-Scf7o0f
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR AUGUST is.

subject: Paufs Third Missionary
Journey--Ephesus, Acts 1928
and t9:22-Golden Text: Acts
10:1T--Commit Verses 10, 20.
TlME.--A. ID. 81.
PLACE.--Ephesus.
ENPOSITION.---I. Paul Disputing
in the School OF Tyrannus. SIG. For
three full months Paul had a hearing
IN the Jewish synagogue at Ephesus
1t was rare opportunity and he
made the most of It. He spake bold
ly," he used reason and persuasion.
He did not give ethical nor sociologi-
cal lectures, but held fast to the
things concerning the kingdom of
God. Though he got so good a hear
Ing, not all by any means were con-
verted The truth, when Il does not
command obedience, hardens TIav-
ing rejected the truth for themselves,
they began to speak evil of the way
before others. The time for separa-
ton had come ". 81. For two full
years Paul held daily meetings.
Ephesus was a centre and the Word
Of God as taught by Paul there was
heard throughout the country by both
Jews and Greeks God set His seal
upon Paul's work in wonderful way
II Is evident from verse II that Paul
was not possessed of such tremendous
healing power at all times. Ephesus
was the centre of magical arts and
practices and some such display was
needed at that special time and place.
and God gave Il.
III. Jesus l Know, and Paul
Know, But Who Are Nou? 1916.
Demoniacal possession is fact of
modern observation and experience
but 1t Is not so common in our day as
In the time when Christ was upon
earth and the years Immediately fol-
lowing the critical period when Satan
was putting forth all his energies to
prevent the establishment of Cod
kingdom on the earth. But the de-
mons could not withstand the power
of Jesus name. Certain Jews who
went about the country making money
out of the misfortunes of others, TAX
ing note of this fact, sought to make
use of the name of Jesus for their
own gain. They cared nothing for
Jesus or the glory of His name. Their
own gain glory were the sole object
of their pursuit. They named over
those which had evil spirits the
name of the Lord Jesus" but they
did not call Him Lord (cf. l Cor. IL:
3, Rom. 10:9). 1t is not by the
Jesus whom some one else preacheth,
but by the Jesus who we ourselves
know, that we accomplish real results
for God. The evil spirit was forced
to acknowledge Jesus and also the
faithful servant of Jesus, Paul (cf.
Nix. 1924; Acts 1916, 10. But the
name of Jesus had no power in 1t for
those who used it in this mercenary
way. Their attempt to use the name
of Jesus for their own low ends ter
minated in shame and disaster for
themselves.
III. The Great Revival in Ephesus,
1920. Every one, both Jews and
Greeks" heard of this judgment. 1t
caused great awe (cf. ch. 2 43; 5:5.
IL, 13; Ps. 64:9). Men saw that the
name of Jesus could not be trifled
/ with. THE name OF the Lord Jesus
/ was magnifled;" it was regarded with
that reverence and awe in which it
ought to be held. The time Is COM
ing when that name will be magnified
throughout the entire universe (Phil
2:9-11). A great effect was also pro-
duced upon those who had already
believed the Gospel, but had not alto
gether broken away from their sins
". IS, r. W. There was genuine
repentance. True repentance led TO
confession, as it always does. The
confession was frank, open and full
(see r. W. Where there is such
confession there 10 also always full
and free forgiveness tcf Lev. 26:40;
Job 1927, 2S; Ps 32:5; Prov. 2S:
13; Jer. 3:13; l Jno. 1:9). BY ecu
rious arts" Is meant various forms of
jugglery, using OF charms, incanta-
tons and similar occult practices.
The Jews had receipts for incanta-
ti0ns and eXorcisms. Some of them,
1t was claimed, dated back to the
days of Solomon. Ephesus was the
very centre of this sort of thing
"Ephesian letters" was the common
and famous designation for charms
composed of magic words, used as
amulets, preserving the wearer from
all harm. All magical and kindred
practices of every kind are in the
most direct opposition to the will OF
God. as clearly revealed in His Word
(Deut. 1S:10-12; l Chr. 1913; 9
Chr. $3.50; but up TO this time some
OF those who had accepted the teach
ing of Paul in some measure had
continued the practice of magic. (Just
as some to-day, who believe in the
blDle III SOIue metSuTe, neNSIlHeleSs
experiment with palmlstry. clairvoy.
ance, spiritism, hypnotlsm and simi.
lar arts of heathenism) Their
break with the old life was now thor.
ough q Cor. 6:17, 49,. They
brought together the books in which
the secret charms and incantations
were recorded and made a public
bonfire of them. This thoroughgoing
separation from the old life was a
costly act. The price OF the books
alone was about $4,000. Besides
this was the sacrifice of the hope OF
gain from the practice of the arts re-
vealed in the books. Some of them
may have been tempted TO think that
although as Christians they could not
themselves longer use the books, they
might sell them to some one who had
no such scruples. But their break
with Satan and his works was com
pleta and uncompromising The
power of that testimony Is felt to this
day.