p. 12 | THE SABBATH SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 4, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 43.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

International Series.

LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 20, 1897.

THE GOSPEL AT ANTIOCH (SYRIA); A NEW CENTER FOR MISSIONARY WORK.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 11: 19-30, R. V. 19 "THEY therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phœnicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the Word to none save 20 only to Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto 21 the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number that believed 22 turned unto the Lord. And the report concerning them came 23 to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem; and they 24 sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch; who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the 25 Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and 26 of faith; and much people was added unto the Lord. And he 27 went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 28 "Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world; which came to pass in the days of 29 Claudius. And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt 30 in Judea: which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul."

QUESTIONS.

1. What, as we have already learned, took place on the death of Stephen? 2. Where did the disciples go, and what did they do? To whom only did they preach the Word? 3. Of what country were some of these brethren? To what city did they come? To whom did they preach? What was the burden of their message? 4. What was with them? What was the result? 5. Where did news of this work come? Whom did they send out to see and assist? 6. When he had come, what did he see? How did it affect him? What was his exhortation to the new disciples? 7. Why did he thus regard the work and forward it? What is said of the progress of the work? 8. As the work was growing, what help did Barnabas seek? 9. Where did he find him, and where did he bring him? How long did they continue their labor together in Antioch? What sort of congregations did they have? What name was here given to the believers? 10. Who came to Antioch in those days? From what place? Who among them is specially mentioned? What did he say? By what authority? When did the thing predicted take place? 11. What did the brethren at Antioch determine to do? 12. To whom did they send their gifts? By whom?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. Read Isa. 51: 15, 16. How is this text illustrated by what is recorded in the lesson? What was preached at Antioch? What was seen? When only the Word of the Lord is heard, and the hand of the Lord is seen, what must be the result? 2. What will a good man always delight in? 3. In what other way also did Barnabas show that he possessed the Holy Spirit? 4. Were there any Christians before the Gospel was preached in Antioch? Did the calling them Christians make any difference with them?