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STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

—INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS—

SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL. PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.

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WORK AMONG THE GENTILES

IV. QUAR., LESSON X., DEC. 4, ACTS 14:8-22

Golden Text—”In his name shall the Gentiles trust.”

VERSES 8-10. Here again the Lord witnessed to the teaching of Paul and Barnabas by a miracle, thus confirming their testimony, that the people might know they were his messengers. The statement that the lame man had faith to be healed is also worthy of notice. This miracle corresponded closely to the one wrought through Peter and John.—Acts 3:7,8.

VERSES 11-13 show that the effect of the miracle upon the people was in harmony with God’s design, in that they were impressed with awe and reverence for his chosen witnesses and thus were prepared to hear their testimony concerning the truth. Yet in their ignorance this reverence led them to the foolish extreme of worshiping the messengers of the truth instead of its divine author.

VERSES 14,15 show how the Lord’s true messengers regarded such homage. They were prompt and emphatic in discouraging it. They went out quickly to the multitude which had come (probably to their dwelling) with garlands and oxen for sacrifice, and, rending their garments in token of extreme disapproval, cried out, “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.”

Had Paul and Barnabas been of a different spirit they might have been overcome by the temptation to accept the praise and homage of men. But they were humble and faithful, and sought only the glory of God and the enlightenment and consequent blessing of their fellow men. Such temptations are common to all public teachers, and therefore they specially need to cultivate the grace of humility. They must humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt them in due time, and, like the Apostle, declare themselves only fallible men, who, by the grace of God, have been permitted to declare the good tidings of salvation; that the glorious message is not theirs, but God’s; and that it is now made manifest through his servants, because the due

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time for its revealing has come.—Dan. 12:4,9,10.

VERSES 16-18. Paul here emphasizes the fact of a great dispensational change having occurred—the closing of the Jewish age and the opening of the Gospel age. In the former, the favor of God was extended to Israel only—consisting in a typical justification from sin, reconciliation to God and promises of everlasting life. In the latter, the door of access to God [through Christ] had been opened to all nations, and the dividing wall of the Jewish (typical) covenant had been removed. (Eph. 2:14-22.) “Now [having appointed through Christ a day of trial for all] he commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30.) The account here is probably only a brief extract of the Apostle’s discourse to the people, whereby he restrained their idolatrous worship and drew their attention to the truth.

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VERSES 19,20 give another illustration of the incessant opposition of error under Satan’s supervision in the name of religion. And the prince of this world in this, as in the majority of cases now, was permitted a large measure of success. Probably most of the Apostle’s congregation were either effectually turned from the truth, or else were considerably confused or biased in favor of the error; but the few that did hear and believe were precious. Sometimes the evil-doers are permitted to persecute the Lord’s messengers even unto death, as in the case of Stephen; but although Paul was almost killed, the Lord raised him up, that he might yet further bear witness to the truth, in which privilege these faithful soldiers of the cross greatly rejoiced. But observe that they did not remain in the same city to invite further persecution for vain-glorious reasons, neither were they discouraged against further efforts; but with good courage, remembering the Lord’s words—”When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another” (Matt. 10:23)—they left Lystra the next day for Derbe. Seemingly, they used as much prudence as was consistent with their mission of preaching the gospel: and in this we should emulate their example. They did not stay to tantalize their persecutors and to invite a second stoning: another door for preaching stood open and they went to Derbe.

VERSES 21,22. Nevertheless, when it became expedient to return to Lystra to confirm the household of faith, the courage to serve the Lord’s sheep was not lacking. The entire course of the apostles shows us that their mission work was very different in object, as well as in method, from that of missions to-day. They went to the principal cities, and to the most religious persons in each. They had no expectation of converting all, but merely of interesting a few—a “little flock.” They knew what the majority of missionaries to-day do not know, that the work of this age is the selection and perfecting, in patience, experience and character, of the “Bride of the Lamb,” the Church—to be joint-heirs with Christ during the Millennium in the work of breaking the power of Satan over the masses, and of opening the blind eyes and unstopping the deaf ears, and leading all who then will be led, to perfection and lasting life and joy.

The Apostle’s care for the souls of his converts is also noteworthy. He was not only anxious to make converts, but he was even more anxious to confirm them in the faith and hope of the gospel, to establish them in the doctrine of Christ, to warn them against error and to encourage them to steadfastness in the midst of persecutions which would surely follow.

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— November 15, 1892 —