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The Sabbath School

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 24, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 24.

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The Sabbath School

International Series.

LESSON II.—SABBATH, JULY 10, 1897.

POWER FROM ABOVE.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 2:1-21, R. V.
"And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
"Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we, every man in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.
"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; but this is that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel:
"And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day; And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

QUESTIONS.

  1. Where were the disciples on the day of Pentecost, and in what frame of mind were they?
  2. What suddenly happened? What was the nature of the sound? Whence did it come? What did it do?
  3. What appeared? What were these tongues like? Where did this phenomenon manifest itself?
  4. What did the disciples receive, and in what measure? What was the immediate result?
  5. Who were at this time dwelling in Jerusalem?
  6. What took place as soon as the sound from heaven was heard? How were the multitude affected?
  7. What question did they ask?
  8. What was it that so astonished them?
  9. What different nationalities, or tongues, were represented in the crowd that came together?
  10. What did the people say they heard the Galilean fishermen speak in their various languages?
  11. By what question did they express their amazement?
  12. How did others account for the wonder?
  13. Who proceeded to explain the wonderful occurrence?
  14. How did he reply to the mockers?
  15. What did he say this manifestation was?
  16. From what prophecy, and what portion of the prophecy, did he quote?
  17. What had the prophet said should be done? At what time was it to take place?
  18. How extensively was the Spirit to be poured out? What would be the result?
  19. What are God's servants and handmaidens to do in the last days?
  20. What will appear in connection with this manifestation of the Spirit?
  21. Name some of these wonders and signs.
  22. What will they immediately precede?
  23. What precious promise is sure?

Additional Questions and Suggestions.

  1. Note that the Spirit of God comes in fulness and power where there is unity. By what is the Spirit grieved away?
  2. Is there in this lesson any instruction as to how to "reach the masses," and to get crowds to listen to preaching? Can we use the Spirit to this end, or must the Spirit use us?
  3. With this lesson compare Eph. 5:18, 19. What special significance is there in the admonition not to be filled with wine, but to be filled with the Spirit?
  4. What time does the Scripture say the Spirit was to be poured out as fulfilled at Pentecost? In what days must we, therefore, be living?
  5. The Spirit of God is poured out on "all flesh;" why, then, are not the fruits of the Spirit seen in all? See Acts 7:51. So with the gifts of the Spirit. In the apostolic church, the Lord confirmed the word with signs following. See Mark 16:17-20. But when the church departed from the Word, then the signs departed from the church.