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The Sabbath School

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 42.

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The Sabbath School

International Series.
LESSON VII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 13, 1897.

THE SPIRIT POURED OUT UPON THE GENTILES; PETER REHEARSES HIS EXPERIENCE.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 10: 44 to 11:18, R. V.
44 "WHILE Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell 45 on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the 46 gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with 47 tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which 48 have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
1 "Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judea 2 heard that the Gentiles also had received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were in 3 the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest 4 in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter 5 began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let 6 down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me; upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, 7 and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth and wild beasts and 8 creeping things and fowls of the heaven. And I heard also a 9 voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered 10 into my mouth. But a voice answered the second time out of 11 heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice; and all were drawn up again into 12 heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Cæsarea unto 13 me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we 14 entered into the man's house; and he told us how he had seen 15 the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and 16 fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee 17 words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy 18 house. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, 19 even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; 20 but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. If then God gave 21 unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed 22 on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand 23 God? And when they heard these things, they held their 24 peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also 25 hath God granted repentance unto life."

QUESTIONS.

  1. Give the account of Peter's meeting with Cornelius.
  2. State the substance of Peter's discourse.
  3. What took place while Peter was speaking?
  4. How did Peter's companions regard this? Why were they astonished?
  5. How was the gift of the Spirit manifested in these Gentiles?
  6. What question did Peter ask? What good reason was there for their being baptized?
  7. What order did Peter then give? What did the new disciples then desire?
  8. Who straightforwardly received news of the affair?
  9. What took place when Peter returned to Jerusalem? Who were they who found fault with his course?
  10. What was their charge?
  11. How did Peter answer them?
  12. Give his answer in detail.
  13. At what point did he say the Holy Ghost was poured upon the listening Gentiles? In what manner did the Spirit come on them?
  14. What did Peter say that he then remembered?
  15. Why did Peter not dare to refuse the Gentiles baptism? What was he sure he would have been doing if he had?
  16. When the Jews heard Peter's account, what did they do? What did they say?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. What is the great principle taught in this lesson? Cite texts from the epistles setting forth this truth.
  2. From what did Peter quote in the beginning of his discourse on Pentecost? How extensively had God by the prophet said that his Spirit would be poured out? If the brethren had remembered this statement, would they have wondered that the Gentiles received the Spirit? Has the lesson taught by the story of Cornelius been fully learned by Christians?
  3. Is there any fixed rule as to how and when people shall receive the Spirit? Mention the different instances that we have already studied, and note the circumstances in each case. Do these cases show whether or not the Spirit is given only after baptism, or by the laying on of hands?
  4. What was there in the example of Jesus to warrant Peter in what he did? What complaint similar to that brought against Peter was frequently brought against Christ by the Pharisees?