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Text of the Lesson, Acts XIII, 1852.
Memory Verses, 45,46- Golden
Text, Acts XIII, 47-COmmentary
Prepared by Rev. ID. M. Stearns.

later even between such friends as
1t is relief to read in what was prob
ably Paul's last letter. Take Mark
and bring him with thee. for he Is
profitable TO me for the ministry" I'll
Tim. Nv, I'D. John Mark, having left
them, Paul and Barnabas kept on their
way to Antioch. In Pisidia, and our
lesson today Is Paurs Sabbath day talk
I'm the synagogue there, which was fol-
lowed the next Sabbath by talk to a
very large company of gentiles. 1t Is
said that almost the whole city came
together to hear the word Of God
(yerse AZ. The Jews. seeing Paul get
the crowd that next Sunday. were fill
ed with envy and contradicted Pauls
teaching and blasphemed Then the
apostle said boldly, Seeing you put II
from you, we turn to the gentiles."
And he quoted a prophecy concerning
the final gathering of the gentiles to
the Lord at His coming and kingdom
Elsa. xiii, 6; Xix. 81, for. as one has
said, prophecy has many a germinant
accomplishment throughout the ages,
while the complete fulfillment is yet in
the future.
AS the gentiles heard the glad It'd
ings many believed, and the word Of
the Lord was published throughout all
that region verses 1910. The express
sion. las many as were ordained to
eternal life believed" (verse 49,, Is an
other way of saying. "All that the Fa-
Their giveth me shall come to me" John
vi, 80. This is not the age of winning
the world to Christ. but OF gathering
out from the world those whom the
Father has given to ihe Son to he His
bride All should hear the offer Of sal
walton, and whatsoever will may re-
ceive Him. but He knows who will
come. The adversary became so stir
red by Christ being thus exalted that
the Jews and chief men and devout
and honorable women prosecuted Paul
and Barnabas and expelled them out
of their coasts. Therefore they de-
parted and came unto Iconium. but the
disciples were filed with JOY and with
the Holy Ghost. The word of the Lord
will always accomplish His pleasure
and never return 10 Him void. but TO
some 1t will bring life and to others
death lisa. ". IL: III Cor. ii. IL. l6i
We will give the rest OF our time 10
consideration OF some things I'm this
great sermon of Paul's at Antioch
and we notice first that four times he
speaks of the resurrection of Christ
Oversees %. 30. 33. 81. the all impor-
tant truth OF the gospel. quoting from
Ps. II and xvi and lisa. Nv concerning
IL and referring TO the sure mercies OF
David. which David himself called an
everlasting covenant ordered In all
things and sure III Sam. xiii. -. All
failure Is ours. but God is faithful.
and His purposes cannot fail David
In his last hours felt that he had come
far short. but he rested all on the
faithfulness Of God and His sure, ever
lasting covenant We saw I'm our re-
cent study I'm Cor. XIV the Importance
OF the resurrection Of Christ. and in
Him. the risen. living one. shall every
promise to Abraham and David be full
filed Matt. 1. 1; Rev. xxi. 16).
Speaking to Jews Paul always called
their attention to Gods purpose con-
corning Israel. and on this occasion he
began with their deliverance from
Egypt and followed on through the
wilderness. the times OF the judges
and the reign Of the first two kings.
Saul and David. And that brought
him to the promise TO David concern
ing the Messiah and His kingdom and
TO the assertion that this Jesus who
had been crucified by the Jews. but
raised from the dead by God the Fa-
Their. was indeed the Messiah Of Israel.
He referred TO John the Baptist's tes-
siah who had fulfilled all that the
prophets had said concerning His suf-
ferlngs and that He would as truly
fulfill In due time all that had been |
predicted concerning His kingdom and
glory oversees 1880. Since their Mes
siah had actually come and been re-
jected what could now be done? Was
there any hope for any one? Then he
proclaimed through Jesus Christ the
forgiveness Of sins for all who would |
receive Him as the crucified and risen
one, assuring them that He would
come again to restore all things of
which the prophets had spoken, be a
light to all nations through Israel and
bring salvation to the ends of the |
earth oversees 3s, 80. Al.
The Jews would naturally be stirred
to enmity and wrath by the accusation
that they were guilty of the rejection
OF their Messiah. and the gentiles
would be glad to hear that there was
even for them and part In
His kingdom and glory. Compare
chapters Ill. 1921; Nv. 10: lisa. TX, 10:
xii. 1. 2. And be sure for yourself.
o reader OF these lines, that you have
In Him. by Ills precious blood, the
eternal redemption. the forgiveness OF
sins, which He has purchased at such
infinite cost for all who will receive
Him. Then when lie shall come In
His glory TO set up His kingdom OF
peace on earth you shall be with Him