The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-02-04
True and False
Brotherhood
Sunday School Lesson for Feb. Z, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-Lying lips are an
abomnation to the Lord; but they that
deal truly are his delight.-Prov. 1922.
TIME-Vs. 32-35 probably cover a pc
riod of some length. The exact date Of
the Ananias incident is unknown Be
tween a. d. 30 and "a.
PLACE.-Jerusalem. Probably at the
usual meeting place OF the disciples
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
" 36. "Joses." One form of Joseph"
"Surnamed Barnabas." A Hebrew
name, derived from bar, son, and
Nabuah "prophesyng," pouring out
words as from a 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" as in the X. "
Neither definition alone is complete;
1t takes both to 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-
mon, for comfort or help as an advo.
cate, counselor, comforter.
What Barnabas, filled with the Holy
/ Spirit, did for others was similar, a
| least in most respects, to that which
the Holy Spirit does for us. His work
was far greater than that implied by
/ ibe 90 10 80 60
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 a 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, 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 1t. 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.
1t advertised the good news; II
scattered the seeds Of truth broadcast
it led to more prayer, a stronger faith
firmer coruage, more generous Civ
ing, more fervent preaching; 1t 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 II the fire.
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.
v. s. "Ananias &. .. fell down, anC
: gave up the ghost" Literally
"breathed out his life, his SOUL" Ii
| whatever way 1t came, by the shocl
1f the discovery OF his sin, or by a di
rect stroke from God, It was Gods act
and in no sense the act OF Peter ant
the apostles. Very probably they wer'
as much astonished as anyone. Hat
Peter done this act he would hav,
been murderer, subject TO the Law
J, Of the land. But he had no hand II
1t whatever.
i Why such severity OF punishment
1. II was deserved, It was justice. "ES
: act Justice is commonly more mercl
ful In the long run than pity"
2. It was necessary in order to saw
the church from destruction iron
within.
8. II was necessary to counterac
the effect OF his conduct upon tn
world. II would tend TO make me-
believe that there was nothing in re
d ligion, that there was no such thin
:. as conversian and true pity. There
fore, It was needful that the deed an
n its spirit should be publicly repr
= dated in the most remarkable mar
: = ner, as contrary to the whole teachin
| III 20 IntA