The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-03-11
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR MARCH Il.

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Subject: Aeneas and Dorcas, Acts o:
32-f3-Golden Text, Acts 9:S4 |
Commit Verses 40, 11-Com- |
mentary on the Lesson.
TIAIE.-4O A. d. CD PLACES.-l
LYDIA, Joppa.
EXPOSITION.-I. A Great Revi-
val in LYDIA and Sharon, 32-35. Step
by step God was leading Peter on to- |
ward the opening Of the door to the
Gentiles - LYDIA, Joppa, Caesarea.
Aeneas is the only citizen of Lydia
whose name is mentioned in the 81
Die. The only great thing about him.
apparently, was his great need. But
there Is nothing more likely to attract
GODS notice than need Uuke 1:53).
Aeneas was apparently not even
disciple when Peter met him. He is
spoken of as "a certain man" (comp.
v. 70; ch. 3:2; 1911; 14:S; 9:1O).
There did not appear to be much hope
Tor this man. That day opened as all
others had for eight years 1t closed
d1nerently from all others. because
the day he met a man who knew
Christ and brought the mighty power
or Jesus Christ into his life. Doubt
less Peter had met with many afiict-
ed ones in his Journeys from place to
place, but God had not spoken the
word to him and so he had not spo-
ken 1t to them. But now God did
speak 1t to Peters r'sever-listening heart
and with unhesitating faith. Peter
said unto him, Aeueas, Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole Wonderful
words. Words that might be spoken
to many palsied man to-day. Pet
er's pity was not of the sentimental,
but active kind. He saw the mans
dire need. He knew one who could
help him. He brought the two to-
gether- Peter was an apt scholar
Comp. Jno. SIS; comp, also, v. 40
with Luke $50. 1t is noteworthy
how Peter keeps himself in the back
ground. He fixes the attention of
Aeneas on Jesus Christ His perfect
confidence is also noteworthy. He
saw very clearly that he was only an
instrument. He saw. with equal
clearness. that Jesus Christ could and
would use even him. Aeneas' faith
responds to the word of power; he
arises strajghtway. The miracle sim
ply opened the way for the Word.
There is wide gulf between Peter
and many modern so-called "healers."
H. Great Revival in Joppa, 38-43.
.Ioppa was no insignificant town.
There were people of wealth and in
fiuence there. But the name of only
single person in that place has
come down to us. the name of n hum
Bile woman. Her name shines very
brightly on the pages of history, and
her story has been an inspiration to
many. Why? This woman was full
OF good works and almsdeeds which
she did" That is real greatness, and
1t is open to all. Note that she was
full of these good works and aims
deeds. She was a disciple indeed
(Jno. 1873; comp. also, Jas. 1927:
Jno. 3:14, 16, II: Tit. 2:14; SIS; Col.
1:10). Note, also, that she was not
fun CT good works which she intend
ed to 90. but was full CT good works
which she did" She seems to have
had no relatives, hut instead of mur-
murirg about her lonely lot she made
herself sister and mother to all, and
so she had many friends. Being full
OF coed works and almsdeeds" did
not exempt her from sickness. sick
ness even unto death. God evidently
has other purposes in sickness than
the chastisement of our sin and the
humbling OF our pride Comp. Jno.
S:o; Jno. 11:3, 4; 2 X. 1919. 1t
won't do to decide too hastily that the
one who falls sick, or even dies, has
IN some way wandered away from
God. These disciples had a mighty
faith. There had been no cases of
resurrection, SO far as we know. in
the ten years that had elapsed since
the resurrection of Christ. Yet those
humble disciDles believed in n living
God and living Christ, and that,
now that there was need of n resur-
rection from the dead. God would
grGnt it. ard He did. Showing the
coats and garments Dorcas made"
1t was most worthy monument that
Dorcas had built with needle. Many
have gazed at it and been inspired to
acts OF love and sacrifice. Note that
she made these garments while she
was with them" Peter puts them
all forth" Peter was following very
closely in the footsteps of his Master
(Luke S:52. 54). In such a supreme
moment as this one wants no specta-
tors; he must be alone with God. He
prayed" All. what power there is
in prayer! 1t can raise the dead.
Have you dead minister, try it on
him. Have you dead church. try it
on 1t. Have you friend dead in
trespasses and SINS" try it on him.
If Peter had spent his time grumb-
ling at that corpse 1t would never
have come to life. Praying, not
grumbling, is what we want to-day.
He first turned to God, then to the
corpse. Here is a lesson for Chris
tian workers. When you have laid
hold of God by prayer as Peter did,
then you can lay hold of corpses by
word as Peter did also. and they will
rise. Turning to the sleeping one, he
said: "Tabitha, arise" Those eyes,
so long closed, open. Oh. some
bright day Jesus Himself will say it
to all our sleeping loved ones, and
their eyes shall open. and they, too.