Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-02-04
True and False
Brotherhood

LESSON TExT.-Acts 4:a2-6:1i. Mem
DRY verses. 81, 20.
GOLDEN TExT.-Lying lips are an
abomination to the Lord. but they that
deal truly are his delIght.-Prov. 1922.
TIME.-vs. 1896 probably cover a pc
Rod of some length. The exact date Of
the Ananias incident Is unknown. Be-
tween A. ID. 30 and "a.
PLACE.-Jerusalem. Probably at the
ustal meeting place of the disciples.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V.S6. "Joses." One form of Joseph
"6urnamed Barnabas." A Hebrew
name, derived from bar, son, and
Nabuah "prophesying," pouring out
words 10 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 Il. v.
Neither definition alone Is complete;
It 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, 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. 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 Il great gift by his words.
character and personality Of comfort.
Ing others by invlgorating them. in.
spring them with Il new life, strength
ening their faith and hope, giving them
fresh courage. lie 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, MI.
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 az 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 SEQ
In clearer light the true God and the
Gospel.
1t advertised the good news; It
scattered the seeds Of truth broadcast;
1t led to more prayer, a stronger faith.
IA firmer coruagc, more generous Civ.
Ing, more fervent preaching; It proved
that the piety Of the church was no
temporary excitement, but a steady
burning and shining light.
We now come to a nor dangerous
attack. from evil within her ranks.
Fire cannot consume. nor waters
drown the church. There Is no way
to destroy It but by enemies within.
The engine ID powerless II the fires
full. The light goes out when the
electric current ceases to flow. We
are to study this attack, learn It's les.
son 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, and
gave up the ghost" Literally,
"breathed out his life. his soul" In
whatever way 1t came, by the shock
II the discovery OF his sin, or by u di.
rect stroke from God, II was Gods act,
and In no sense the act OF Peter and
the apostles. Very probably they were
al much astonished as anyone. Had
Peter done this act hs would have
been a murderer, subject to the law
- Of the land. But he had no hand In
1t whatever.
Why such severity OF punishment!
!. 1t was deserved. II vas Justice. Eek
: act Justice Ia commonly more merci
full In the long run than pity"
3. 1t was necessary In order TO save
the church from destruction from