The Sabbath-School by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 10.

The Sabbath-School.

By W. N. Glenn

LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST.—MAR. 16. ACTS, CHAPTERS 12 AND 13.

"It Pleased the Jews."

HEROD (Agrippa I.) was a real politician. He was willing to adopt any measure, or espouse any cause, for the sake of popularity. He killed James, the brother of John, and proceeded to take Peter also, just to please the Jews. Acts 12:1-3. Although the Jews were subject to the Roman empire, and had no voice in the selection of a king, yet it was not safe for a ruler to entirely ignore their wishes. It was policy to please them, and sometimes profitable to overlook their misdeeds. Pilate yielded to their clamor for the crucifixion of Jesus, for fear of their representing him as hostile to Cæsar if he should favor one who claimed to be a king. The politicians of our time are largely governed by the same principle. Their public acts and polity have sole reference to a maintenance of power or a competence which will warrant a retirement. Herein will lie the strength of the Religious Amendment party. The popular churches will eventually throw their influence in its favor, and the politicians both in and out of office will see the necessity of pleasing the dominant element in order to secure or retain position.

Peter in Prison.

ON account of the passover, Peter was not summarily executed, as James had been. The Jews were ordinarily too religious to bring a prisoner to trial and execution during this solemn season; although an exception had been made in the case of Jesus, who had been tried and condemned on the very night of the feast by the highest Jewish authority, and was executed the following day. But Peter was allowed to lie in prison till after the passover; and notwithstanding he no doubt anticipated his fate on the morrow, such was his faith and resignation that, in a common prison, chained and guarded by rude soldiers, he could soundly sleep. On this thought, Dr. Barnes remarks: "There is nothing that will give quiet rest and gentle sleep so certain as a conscience void of offense; and in the midst of imminent dangers, he who confides in God may rest securely and calmly."

"Prayer Was Made."

THE phraseology of verses 5-7 indicates that Peter's release was in answer to the prayer of the church; and the character of the prayer was such as would be sure to bring an answer. It was "without ceasing"—an earnest, determined holding on, like Jacob wrestling with the angel (Gen. 32:24-28); an importunate persistence, like the woman in the parable of the unjust judge (Matt. 18:2-5). It was that "fervent prayer" of the righteous which James says "avails much." Yet, notwithstanding their faith, they were incredulous when confronted with the answer, and said to the maid who announced Peter's presence at the door, "Thou art mad." The answer was more marked than they had anticipated; the interposing hand of the Lord was so plainly manifested that they "were astonished." Marked answers to prayer are nearly always looked upon with astonishment, though it is really astonishing that it should be so. They are often doubted by many as "a thing incredible." But the answers to prayers of faith, made in a legitimate manner, for legitimate purposes, should ever be considered as a matter of course,—though they may not come just as the petitioners may expect. God's faithful word is pledged in such cases.

Retribution upon Herod.

HEROD was so exasperated by the escape of Peter that he had the guards put to death, and soon after removed to Cesarea. Here he made a great festival, dressed himself in gorgeous array, and made an eloquent address before the assembled multitude, who in their intoxication proclaimed him a god. "And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him," etc. Chap. 12:23. In "The Great Controversy" we find this comment: "The same angel who had left the royal courts of Heaven to rescue Peter from the power of his persecutor, had been the messenger of wrath and judgment to Herod. The angel smote Peter to arouse him from slumber; but it was with a different stroke that he smote the wicked king, bringing mortal disease upon him. God poured contempt upon Herod's pride, and his person, which he had exhibited decked in shining apparel before the admiring gaze of the people, was eaten by worms, and putrefied while yet alive. Herod died in great agony of mind and body, under the retributive justice of God. This demonstration of divine judgment had a mighty influence upon the people. While the apostle of Christ had been miraculously delivered from prison and death, his persecutor had been stricken down by the curse of God. The news was borne to all lands, and was the means of bringing many to believe on Christ."

Progress of the Church.

"But the word of God grew and multiplied." Chap. 12:24. Commenting on this and the following verse, Dr. Barnes says: The persecutions had now ceased; and notwithstanding all the attempts which had been made to crush it, still the church increased and flourished. Through the previous chapters we have seen the church rise from small beginnings, until it was even now spreading into surrounding regions. We have seen it survive two persecutions, commenced and conducted with all the power and malice of Jewish rulers. We have seen the most zealous of the persecutors converted to the faith which he once destroyed, and the royal persecutor put to death by the divine judgment. And we have thus seen that God was the protector of the church, and that no weapon formed against it could prosper. In that God and Saviour who then defended the church, we may still confide, and may be assured that he who was then its friend has it still 'engraved on the palms of his hands,' and designs that it shall extend until it fills the earth with light and salvation."

Missionary Work.

THE 13th chapter of Acts is generally recognized as the beginning of part second of the book. A new feature of gospel work is now inaugurated. Heretofore the extension from Jerusalem had been the result of persecution and forced dispersion of the disciples, who carried their faith with them and let their light shine as they went. Now, however, an extensive mission is planned by the Holy Spirit and deliberately entered upon by the church. Although Barnabas and Saul were specially designated as missionaries, it was not an individual matter with them. The church had a part to perform; it was directed to separate (set apart) these two ministers for the work to which they had been called. At least fifteen years previously the Lord had said of Paul, "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles." Chap. 9:15. But they did not start out on their work till the church had formally "laid their hands on them and sent them away." There is nothing in the example of these missionaries to warrant the idea which some entertain of going out on their own responsibility to preach the gospel. When the Lord calls one to preach, he calls upon his church to ordain him to the work. If this precedent be always honored, there will be little danger of reproach to the truth through imaginary calls to proclaim it. The importance attached to this missionary work by the church is manifested in their inauguration of it by fasting and prayer. And the work is just as important to-day as it was at that time.

Their First Point.

THIS missionary company first went to an island of the sea. Several reasons are assigned for this course: Barnabas was a native of Cyprus (Chap. 4:36), and no doubt had influential acquaintances there. There were other Christians on the island (Chap. 11:19, 20), who might be of valuable assistance to the missionaries. There were many Jews in Cyprus; and though the mission was specially to the Gentiles, these brethren always sought the synagogues first, and laid before the professed church of God the opportunity of being instrumental in furthering his truth. Their action in invariably rejecting the honor is being re-enacted in these days by the popular churches, in declining to carry the last message of warning and mercy that will ever be proclaimed to a dying world. God does not overlook the islands, small as they may seem, so long as he has a people upon them. One of his grandest revelations to man was given upon the barren rock of Patmos, where he had but a single disciple. But there is work yet to be done for the islands. "Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, he that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock." Jer. 31:10. Who will declare the gathering message "in the isles afar off."

Elymas the Sorcerer.

PAUL and Barnabas met at Paphos, on the western extremity of the island, one of those characteristic agents of Satan, a sorcerer, who seems to have been a man of considerable influence. Sorcery is merely one phase of Spiritualism. Worcester's definition is, "Divination, especially by the aid of evil spirits; magic; enchantment; witchcraft." The principle, in all its features, is Satanic, antichristian, opposed to God, and forbidden by him, in all ages. Ex. 22:18; Deut. 18:10; 1 Sam. 15:23; 2 Chron. 33:6; Gal. 5:20; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10, etc. Its votaries work in any and every way to accomplish the one great object of its evil designer. In the case of Elymas it was bold opposition, "seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith." In the case of Simon, in a city of Samaria (see chap. 8:9-24), it was in the guise of a professed Christian; but both individuals were instigated by the adversary, and condemned by the Holy Spirit through the apostles. Both these elements are extant at this time, and are gaining adherents at an almost inconceivable rate. But that which claims to be Christian is the more deceptive and dangerous of the two, against which the church should be specially vigilant. It takes possession of its victim by slow degrees and winning ways, and before he is aware of it, a little concession incautiously yielded will captivate the whole heart.

WHEN Paul and Barnabas arrived at Antioch in Pisidia, they attended services at the synagogue, and on invitation, Paul delivered an interesting discourse, conclusively connecting Jesus with the promises made to David concerning the Messiah. The Gentiles were delighted, and even the Jews did not dissent from his reasoning, but soon became envious of the influence the strange ministers had gained over the people. It speaks well for a cause when no argument but that of envy can stand against it, or against its votaries. Christians should make a note of this example of the apostles. W. N. GLENN.