The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-11
JTN
Sm@@-Scf"N
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR AUGUST is.

Subject: Paul's Third Missionary
Journey-Ephesus, Acts 1928
and 19:22-Golden Text: Acts
19:17-Commit Verses 10, 20.
TIME.-A. D. 81.
PLACE.-Ephesus.
EXPOSITION.-I. Paul Disputing
in the School of Tyrannus. S-12. For
three full months Paul had a nearing
IN the Jewish synagogue at Ephesus.
1t was a rare opportunity n ne
made the most of it. "He spake bold
| ly," he used reason and persuasion.
He did not give ethical nor sociology
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 it does not
command obedience, hardens. HaV-
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
! IF God as taught by Paul there was
heard throughout the country by both
! Jews and Greeks. God set His seal
apon Paul's work in a wonderful way.
II Is evident from. verse II that Paul
| was not possessed of such tremendous
: healing power at all times. Epnesus
was the centre of magical arts and
practices and some such display was
needed at that special time and place,
and God gave it.
II. Jesus 1 Know, and Paul l
Know, But Who Are You? 1916.
: Demoniacal possession is a fact OF
modern observation n experience,
but it is not 80 common in our day as
in the time when Christ was upon
earth and the years Immediately tol-
towing the critical period when Satan
was putting forth all his energies to
prevent the establishment of Gods
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
IF 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. II:
8, Rom. 1O:9). 1t is not by the
Jesus whom some n 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, ~. But b
name of Jesus had no power in it for
those who used it in this mercenary
way. Their attempt to use the name
of Jesus for their w 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. CHI. 2.43; 5:5,
II, 10; Ps. 64:9). Men saw that the
name of Jesus could not be tri1ed
with. 1.-The name of the Lord Jesus
was magnifed;" it was regarded with
that reverence and in which II
ought to be held. The time is com
ing when that name will be magnifed
throughout the entire universe (Phll.
2:9-1l). 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 tc
confession, as it always does. Inc
---- -o. fron1y nnpn and tnlI
(see R. W.. Where there is such
confession there is also always ful'
and free forgiveness icf. Lev. 26:4O;
Job 1927, rs; Ps. 1926; Prov. %:
13; Jer. 3:13; / Jno. 1:9). BY ecu.
rious arts" is meant various forms OF
jugglery, using of charms, lncanta'
tions and similar occult practices.
The Jews had receipts for incanta'
tions and exorcisms. Some of them.
it 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; z
Chr. $3.50; but up to this time some
of those who had accepted the teach.
ing of Paul in some measure a
continued the practiceo of magic. (Jusi
as some to-day, who believe IN the
Bible in some measure, nevertheless
experiment with palmistry, clairvoy:
ance, spiritism, hypnotism and sim!-
lar arts of heathenism). Theli
break with the old life was now thor
oueh G Cor. SIT, 1S). The!
brought together the books in which
the secret charms and lamentations
were recorded and made a public
bonfire of them. This thoroughgoine
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:
yealed in the books. Some of them
may have been tempted to think thai
although as Christians they could moi
themselves longer use the books, the!
might sell them to some one who hac
no such scruples. But their break
with Satan and his works was COM
plete and uncompromising. The
bower of that testimony is felt to this
day.
DJrfhe LTyoood noafhc In Er~a npa-