Mexico Missouri message., 1909-02-04
True and False
Brotherhood
sunday seheol Lsssoa fee Feb. 2, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Pspsr


deal truly are his delight.-Prov. 12:2a.
TIME,-Vs. a2-B probably cover a PEI
Rod OF some length. Tho exact date OF
the AnRnias incident In unknown. Be
tween A. ID. 90 and a.
PLACE.-Jerusalem. Probably at the
uskal meeting place OF the disciples.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V.V6. "Joses." One form OF Joseph"
"Surnamed Barnabas." A Hebrew
name, derived from bar, son, and
NabuaA "prophesying," pouring out
words ae 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 a kind OF de.
gree or pet name."-Biblical World.
Being interpreted from Hebrew into
Greek, The son Of consolation. com.
forting," "exhortation," az In the r. "
Neither definition alone is complete;
II takes both 20 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
Comforter" "Paraclete," from para, TO
the side Of. and kaleo. to call or sum.
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, to bring tranquil enjoyment.
He was like the advocate In Greek and
Latin courts, 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 a new life. strength.
ening their faith and hope, giving them
fresh courage. He was like 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, I'LL.
ing the soul full OF courage and
strength.
The Holy Spirit comforted the disci.
Piles 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 II. 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.
It advertised the good news; II
scattered the seeds Of truth broadcast;
II led TO more prayer, a stronger faith
a firmer coruage, more generous CIV
ing. more fervent preaching; It proved
that the piety OF the church was nc
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 II but by enemies within.
The engine is powerless IL the fires
fail, The light goes out when the
electric current ceases to flow. We
are to study this attack, learn ifs les
sons for to-day. and see how God over
ruled even this. by victory over evil
for the advancement OF the gospel.
v. 8. "Ananias fell down, anC
gave up the ghost" Literally
''breathed out his life. his soul" IL
whatever way II came, by the shocl
1f the discovery of his sin. or by a dI
rect stroke from God. II was Gods act
and in no sense the act OF Peter ant
the apostles. Very probably they wsr'
as much astonished as anyone. Hat
Peter done this act he would hav'
been murderer, subject to the Law
Of the land. But he had no hand II
Il whatever.
Why such severity of punishment
1. Il was deserved. Il was justice. Eek
act justice 10 commonly more merci
ful In the long run than pity"
2. II was necessary in order to saw
the church from destruction from
within.
8. II was necessary 10 counterac
the effect OF his conduct upon IN
world. Il would tend to make mel
believe that there was nothing In n
ligiOn. that there was no such thin
as conyersian and true pity There
fore. II was needful that the deed an
its spirit should be publicly repT
dated in the most remarkable mar
nsr. As contrary TO the whole teachiH
and spirit OF religion.
rrt... A. -, -. - - -. -