The Sabbath School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 31.

The Sabbath School

International Series.

Lesson IX.—Sabbath, August 28, 1897.

WISE COUNSEL.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 5: 33 to 6:15, R. V.

33 “But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and 34 were minded to slay them. But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about 36 to do. For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to naught. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. And to him they agreed; and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.”

1 “Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the Word of God, and serve tables. Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the Word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 “And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 “And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”

QUESTIONS.

1. Repeat the substance of the words spoken to the Jewish council by the apostles.

2. What effect did this talk have upon the council? What did they plan to do?

3. Who then came forward? What was his standing among them? Before he began to speak about the case, what did he command?

4. When the apostles had been removed, what did he say to the council?

5. What two examples did he cite of men who had started fanatical or seditious movements?

6. What was the result in each case?

7. In view of those things, what was Gamaliel’s advice concerning the apostles? What did he say would become of their work if it was of men?

8. But if it were of God, then what would opposition avail? Against whom would opposers be fighting?

9. What did the council think of Gamaliel’s advice? Nevertheless, what did their rage impel them to do? What did they again command the apostles?

10. With what spirit did the apostles leave the judgment-hall?

11. How did they regard the injunction of the council?

12. What was the natural result of such zealous and faithful witnessing? What took place when the multitude of believers became very great? What was the cause of the complaint?

13. What did the twelve then say of their own work?

14. What measure did the apostles propose in order to relieve them of the burden of looking after financial matters? What kind of men did they say should be chosen to attend to the business?

15. What did the apostles say that they themselves would do?

16. How did this proposal strike the brethren? Whom did they choose?

17. How were they set apart? What followed this division of labor? From what class of people were many converts made?

18. Who seemed to be the most prominent among the seven men who had been chosen by the church? What did he do besides attending to the distribution of funds?

19. Who set themselves against his work?

20. What could they not do?

21. When they could accomplish nothing by argument, what did they do?

22. Having stirred up a feeling among the people, what charge was brought against Stephen before the council?

23. What did they declare they had heard him say?

24. What effect did these violent proceedings have upon Stephen’s peace of mind?

NOTE.

It is a point worthy of note that these seven men were not appointed to raise money, but to distribute it. When the believers are all of one heart and soul, being filled with the Holy Ghost, and are bearing their testimony with the power of the Spirit, the question is not how means shall be obtained, but how to distribute the abundance that flows in. Notice also that the men who have to do with the financial part of the work of the Lord, need to have as much of the Holy Ghost as those who preach the Word.