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INTERNATIONAL SERIES

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 13.

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INTERNATIONAL SERIES

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

LESSON 1.—APRIL 6.—PREPARATION OF CHRIST FOR THE PRIESTHOOD.

[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 129 (Price 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (Price $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the Scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. What was Christ’s original position?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1, 2. (Phil. 2:5, 6, R.V.)
2. What great work did He perform?
“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that hath been made.” John 1:3. (Col. 1:16, 17.)
3. To what extent did He humble Himself?
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only-begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. (Phil. 2:7, 8; Heb. 2:9; Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4; 2 Cor. 5:21. “Desire of Ages,” pp. 49, 754, 755. )
4. What led the Father to give His Son for such a work?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16. (Heb. 2:10; “Desire of Ages,” p. 49. )
5. How closely does Christ connect Himself with humanity?
“For both He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, ‘I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing Thy praise.’” Heb. 2:11, 12. (Eph. 2:13-16; “Desire of Ages,” pp. 25, 26.)
6. With what feelings did He enter upon His great work?
“Then said I, Lo, I am come; ‘In the roll of the Book it is written of Me; I delight to do Thy will, O My God; Yea, Thy law is within My heart. I have published righteousness in the great congregation; Lo, I will not refrain My lips, O Lord, Thou knowest. I have not hid Thy righteousness within My heart; I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation; I have not concealed Thy loving kindness and Thy truth from the great congregation.’” Ps. 40:7-10. ()
7. What was necessary before Christ could enter upon His priestly work?
“Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, He also Himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death He might bring to naught him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily not of angels doth He take hold, but He taketh hold of the seed of Abraham. Wherefore it behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 2:14-18.
8. What must He learn before He could be a perfect high priest? By what means?
“Though He was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and having been made perfect, He became unto all them that obey Him the author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 5:8-10.
9. Why was Jesus tempted in all points as we are?
“For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” Heb. 2:18. (Heb. 4:15; “Desire of Ages,” p. 22. )
10. How severe were His temptations?
“For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Heb. 12:3, 4. (Heb. 2:7, 8; Ps. 69:20.)
11. When did Christ have such an experience? Of what was it a pledge?
“And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22:44. (“Desire of Ages,” p. 734. )
12. Why was Jesus treated so shamefully?
“But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:5. ()

NOTES.