LESSON V. Feb. 3, 1884. FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 And some days after, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren, in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other; and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Ch. 16: 1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman which was a Jewess, and believed, but his father was a Greek : 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Ic nium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; OUTLINE: :{ and took and circumcised him, because of the Jews which were in those quarters; for they knew all that his father was a Greek: 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6 Now, when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia; 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia, came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering, that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 1. DIVISION INTO TWO BANDS. V. 35-41. 2. MISSIONS IN ASIA MINOR. V. 1-8. 3. THE MISSIONARY CALL FROM EUROPE, V. 9-10. GOLDEN TEXT: Come over into Macedonia, and help us. V. 9. INSTRUCTION. Verse 35. Antioch, where the dispute arose. | youth. 3. Him would Paul have; Timothy's 36. Visit our brethren-in the cities of Asia call to the ministry came through his pastor Minor (chaps. 13-14). 37. To take John Circumcised, so as to avoid Jewish prejudices Mark; Barnabas was his uncle. 38. Not and make his preaching acceptable to Jews. good to take him-because he had turned back Ordained ordered. 6-9. The countries here on one occasion (chap. 13: 13.) 39. Conten- mentioned were in Asia Minor. A visiontion-this led to the missionaries taking differ- perhaps in a dream. Jesus revealed His will ent routes, and preaching to more people. to Paul, as by a picture. Macedonia-an exTo Cyprus-the native place of Barnabas. tensive country of Greece, where Alexander Verse 1. Derbe and Lystra, (see chap. 14: 6); the Great once reigned. Come over-across there the Apostles had preached and wrought the water, to Europe. Help us-bring the miracles on the first journey. Father a Greek, gospel to our country. A call for missionand uncircumcised. 2. Well reported-that is, aries. 10. Endeavored to go-obedient to the Timothy was highly esteemed as a pious heavenly vision. QUESTIONS. Verse 35. Where was Antioch? What 2. What was Timothy's reputation? name originated there? What did the Apostles do there, after the Synod? 36. What did Paul and Barnabas resolve to do? In what cities, especially? Why did they wish to go? 37. What relation was John Mark to Barnabas? Was Barnabas's desire a natural one? 38. Why did Paul object to John? Did he receive him into highest favor afterwards? (See Col. 4: 10, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim. 4: 11. Mark is profitable to me for the ministry); 39. Whither did B. and Mark go? Why? 40. Whom did Paul take? Did the Church show that it agreed with Paul's decision? 41. Where is Syria? In which of these countries was Paul's native city, Tarsus? Verse 1. Had the Apostles been in Derbe and Lystra before? What pious youth was there? Who was his mother? To what nation did his father belong? 3. Who called him to be a minister? Did he respond to the call? What did Paul first do with him? Was it necessary to salvation? Was it a help to his ministry among Jews? 4. What decrees did they make known? 5. What effect had their preaching? 6-9. Mention the countries through which they passed? Where are they? Why did not the Spirit suffer them to tarry in these councarried to Europe). tries at that time? (He wanted the gospel 9. Tell about Paul's vision? Where is Macedonia? What great king once reigned there? What did the man in the vision say? How "help" them? 10. Did the Apostles respond? To what division of the world was the gospel thus brought? Who called them in the vision? CATECHISM. Ques. 105 What doth God require in the fifth command ? Ans. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another; but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: also, that I hurt not myself, or wilfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder. LESSON V. Feb. 3, 1884. Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. expiring faith need to be rekindled in confirmations at home or in missionary settlements abroad." In the lesson for January 6th, we See how they do; this ought to be the learned that the Synod of Jerusalem motto of all preachers and teachers. sent Paul and Barnabas and their com-"Paul was not content to measure his panions back to Antioch, to make known work by the number of conversions, but the decision of the vexed question. This sought to strengthen converts in the lesson takes up the thread of the his- faith, and assure himself of their welltory, and tells how the missionaries being." (2 Cor. 11: 28). carried out their instructions. 37-39. Barnabas determined to take 35. Paul and Barnabas continued in John Mark. But Paul thought not good. Antioch teaching and preaching. No** The contention was sharp between doubt they laid chief stress on that them. An unhappy dissension occurred gospel liberty so clearly enunciated by at this time, which shows that the the Synod, putting no difference between Apostles were "men of like passions" Jewish and Gentile converts. as other men, as they said to the LycaMany others also labored with them in onians. Barnabas wished to take his the same spirit. From Galatians, 2nd nephew, John Mark. along. Paul did chapter, we learn that Peter joined them not approve of it, because Mark had there. He was in perfect accord with turned back on a former occasion. He Paul in regard to circumcision, and was a city youth, tenderly brought up, showed his fellowship with Gentiles by and was not adapted to the arduous eating with them, contrary to the prev-labors of a missionary. alent Jewish opinion and practice. But Barnabas resented Paul's opposition, certain disciples came from Jerusalem, and took his nephew and sailed to Cyprus. and persuaded Peter to desist from such fellowship with Gentiles. Whereupon Paul sharply rebuked Peter for his vacillation; for his conduct was not in keeping with his faith and knowledge. Peter accepted the rebuke meekly, "for he was to blame," and no hard feelings did he cherish against Paul, but alludes to him as our beloved brother Paul. (2nd Peter 3: 15). "We cannot suppose that Paul and Barnabas separated like enemies, in anger and hatred. It is very likely that they made a deliberate and amicable arrangement to divide the region. of their first mission between them, Paul taking the continental, and Barnabas the insular part of the proposed visitation. Of Barnabas we hear no more after 36. Let us go and visit our brethren. this. Tradition relates that he was This was several months after the synod. martyred at Salamis, in Cyprus, and "The proposal was characteristic of one that his dying injunction to Mark was whose heart was ever full of the care of to "go without delay and rejoin Paul." all the churches." He wished to learn Mark obeyed, and became the beloved of the spiritual growth of the members. and trusted companion of Paul. This second missionary journey orig40. Paul chose Silas and departed. inated in a desire to revisit all the cities The church at Antioch evidently where the gospel had been preached thought Paul was in the right, and by Paul and Barnabas and churches recommended him unto the grace of. founded. The missionaries were not to God, but expressed no censure upon spend a peaceful life at Antioch, but Barnabas. were to "endure hardness as good soldiers" of the Cross. The purpose of the second journey was to see how the Christians fared-to encourage, instruct and confirm them in their faith. "We are reminded here of the importance of continuing a religious work when once begun. Here is an example of church visitation, and its happy effects. Weak resolutions and Thus good resulted from the dispute; for two bands of missionaries now went forth, instead of one. We know nothing of the results of the efforts of Barnabas and Mark, except that Paul afterwards spoke of Mark as his "fellow-laborer," who was "profitable for the ministry," and one of the causes of his own "comfort." 41. Paul went through Syria and Ci licia. Syria lay north of the Holy 7. Mysia and Bithynia were also in Land; and Antioch was one of its chief Asia Minor; here they were also forcities. Paul traveled through this coun- bidden to linger. The Spirit suffered try, and then went north-west through them not. Cilicia, of which Tarsus, his native 8. To Troas a city on the Hellesplace, was a chief city. In all these pont, south of ancient Troy, celebrated places he was engaged in confirming in Homer's "Iliad." the churches. 1-2. The next places on his route were Derbe and Lystra, cities of Lycaonia, (see chap. 14: 6), where they had preached on the first journey. In one of these cities dwelt Timothy, the son of Eunice, and grandson of Lois. He was half Jew and half Greek. His reputation was so good, that Paul determined to call him to the ministry. But being of mixed extraction, and uncircumcised, it would be vain for him to rise and speak in the synagogues. The Jews would never listen to his preaching. In order to remove this stumbling block, Paul circumcised Timothy. 3. This was not necessary for his salvation or piety, but would make him an acceptable missionary among the Jews. Thus we see that "no innocent prejudice was ever treated roughly by Paul. To the Jew he became a Jew. to the Gentile a Gentile; he was 'all things to all men, if by any means he might save some.' Paul made a wise choice when he called Timothy. 4 They went through the cities-that is, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and perhaps others with them. They showed their loyalty to the Synod by making known its decisions thus encouraging heathens to come to Christ, and forbidding Jew ish believers to insist upon circumcision. 5. By this means the Churches were established and increased daily. 6. Throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia. Phrygia was the largest province of Asia Minor. Galatia was east of it. It was the land of the Gauls, the same people which settled in France, etc. To them was addressed the Epistle to the Galatians. Forbidden to preach in Asia-that is, Ionia, the west coast of Asia Minor, the seat of "the seven churches in Asia," Rev. 1: 4. Ephesus was its capital. In all this region the gospel was afterwards preached with great success. But at this time a more important and a wider field was opened before Paul, in the extensive country of Macedonia. THE MISSIONARY CALL FROM EUROPE. 9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: the appearance of a man, who was known to be of Macedonia, by his dress and language. This was a country of Greece, made famous by Philip and his son Alexander the Great. It was destined to be the first country of Europe in which the gospel was preached by Paul and his companions. Come over and help us! This is the great call for missions. From all portions of the earth a similar call comes to the church. Help us; we are living in error and sin. Give us the gospel light. 10. We endeavored to go. It is evident from this that Luke was with the missionaries; we endeavored, he says. The Lord called us! Such was their faith in the vision. "This vision has rightly been recognized by the church as interpreting the unuttered cry of heathendom for help. And it has been abundantly shown that it is death to a church or a Christian either not to hear this cry, or having heard it, not to heed it." It appears that Luke, "the beloved physician," joined the missionaries at Troas. Whilst in Galatia Paul contracted a severe illness, (Gal 4: 13-15); and Luke hearing of this, hastened to join Paul and watch over his health. In this lesson we see how God em ploys imperfect instruments to do His perfect work. The missionaries were not without faults, though free from what the world calls sins. "The faults of these men would scarcely be noticed in men of ordinary goodness. They seem great only by contrast with their great purity, goodness and virtue." In Timothy's life we see, (1), the blessedness of early family training in the Scriptures, and, (2), that faithfulness at home will lead to usefulness in wider spheres. Are we helping the heathen, by sending missionaries to them? THE CONVERSION OF LYDIA. ACTS 16: 11-24. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the eity by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there: And she constrained us. 16 And it came to pass as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: OUTLINE: { Feb. 10, 1884. 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, say ing, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 1. THE GOSPEL CARRIED TO EUROPE. V.,11-15. 2. HEATHEN SUPERSTITION VANQUISHED. V. 16 18. 3. MISSIONARIES PERSECUTED. V. 19-24. GOLDEN TEXT: Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. V. 14. INSTRUCTION. of family religion. Come into my house-an example of hospitality. 16. Went to prayer— perhaps some days afterwards. Divination= was, or pretended to be, inspired by the spirit of the Pythian Apollo; a case of one possessed by an evil spirit. Soothsaying-pretended foretelling of the future; a fortune-teller. 17. She had a right knowledge of the missionaries. 18. Come out-the evil spirit cast out. 19-20. Rulers-civil officers. Magistrates-military officers. 21. Customs-religious acts. 22. Their, that is, the clothing of the missionaries. 24. Inner prison-where they would be doubly secure. The stocks-fastened their feet to 11. Loosing from-setting sail. Samothracia an island in the Egean sea. Neapolisa maritime city of Macedonia. 12. Philippi -the city of Philip, king of Macedon. Chief city; or, the first city at which they arrived. A colony-a place occupied by Roman soldiers and people, although in Macedon. 13. Pray er was wont to be made-or a place of prayer was there. Spake unto the women-before services began. 14. Lydia-destined to become the first believer in this part of Europe. Purple-the most valuable color, obtained from shell-fish. Thyatira-in Asia Minor. Worshipped-was a proselyte to Jewish religion. Lord opened-persuaded. 15. Her beams of wood. household-servants and children, an instance QUESTIONS. Of what vision had we an account in last lesson? What did the missionaries resolve to do? 11. Where was Troas? (See last lesson). What does "loosing from mean? Where and what is Samothracia? Neapolis ? 12. What can you tell about Philippi? Of Macedonia? What is meant by colony? 13. Whither did the Apostles go on the Sabbath? To whom did they speak? Was this formal preaching, or conversation? 14. What woman is specially mentioned ? In what business was she engaged? What can you say about purple? From what city had she come? Of what religion was she a proselyte? What is meant by opening the heart? 15. What Sacrament was administered? Who else were baptized? Of what is this an instance? What invitation did she extend? Of what is this an example? 16. Of what was the girl possessed? Ex plain. What is soothsaying? How did she bring gain ? 17. What was her testimony? Was it correct? Did Jesus wish evil spirits to proclaim the Gospel? 18. How was Paul affected? What command did he give? To whom addressed? What was the effect on the evil spirit? 19-20. Tell what her masters did. Give difference between rulers and magistrates. Does religion trouble men who are in wicked occupations? 21-22. What is meant by customs? Of what nation were these people? Tell what the multitude, or mob, did. Whose clothes were rent? What else was done to them? 23. Where were they cast? Did they have a hearing first? 24. Where did the jailer put them? How did he secure them? CATECHISM. Ques. 106. But this command seems only to speak of murder. Ans. In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that He abhors the causes thereof; such as envy, anger, and desire of revenge; and that He accounts all these as murder. 8 LESSON VI. Septuagesima. Feb. 10th, 1884. not all of Jewish birth. 14. Lydia was a proselyte from heathenism, and engaged in the mercantile business. The purple was worn by emperors, kings, and the richest people. V. 11. Therefore - because of the vision recorded in our last lesson; in obedience to the call for help. Loosing from Troas-the seaport of Asia where Paul had seen the vision. "In two of the greatest epic poems ever written, the Odyssey of Homer and the Aeneid of Virgil, the hero starts from the same place. Now a greater hero, on a better errand, sets sail for the shores of Europe. With a straight course-a fair wind enabling them to go straight ahead. Samothracia was an island of the Aegean sea, 38 miles from the coast of Thrace, and about midway between Troas and Neapolis-new town. In such an humble assembly was the gospel first preached in Europe. Lydia's heart was touched by the Spirit, and she was at once baptized and her family also. The Apostle often mentions, in his epistle, "the Church that is in thy house." In exchange for their spiritual gifts, she offered her hospitality, and accepted no refusal. Thus the gospel obtained a home in Europe. How humble its beginnings! How calm and tranquil its progress at first! But a Church was gradually built up, to which an Epistle was afterwards written. 12. Thence to Philippi, about ten miles from Neapolis. Philippi was "How minute the seed, a conversabuilt by Philip of Macedon. The city tional service with a few women outside has long since disappeared, and its site the gates of Philippi! How great the is occupied by a small village named tree, European Christendom!" Matt. Filiba. The adjacent plain is memor- 13: 31-32. Abbott. able in Roman history as the place The first congregation in Europe was where the republicans were conquered thus started in the house of a woman. by the imperialists. Here the last battle "Considering the little regard which the was lost by the republicans of Rome, Jews had for women as persons to be when Brutus and Cassius yielded to Antony and Augustus. The Emperor of Rome made this city a Colony. It thus became at once a border garrison of Roman troops, and a perpetual memorial of the triumph of imperialism over republicanism. And now a Jewish Apostle came to the same place, to win a greater victory than that of Philippi, and to found a more durable empire than that of Augustus. It is a fact of deep significance that the first city at which Paul arrived on his entrance into Europe should be that Colony which was more fit than any other in the empire to be the representative of the power and greatness of imperial Rome. 13. On the Sabbath we went ** by a river side. There was no synagogue in Philippi, but only one of those buildings called proseucho, or places of prayer. These were generally outside the gate, and because of the frequent "washings" among Jewish worshippers, they were "by the river side." And spake unto the women which resorted thither. The congregation consisted chiefly of women; and these were conversed with and taught, it is noteworthy how large a part women play both in the Gospel history and in the Acts. It was one effect of Christianity to place woman in her true position." Lydia was a native of Thyatira; in Philippi, her new home, she may have received her name Lydia, or the Lydian. The purple dye was procured from a shell fish. The heathen writers mention the art of dying purple as common among the Lydian women. Notice the progress of truth in Lydia's heart. (1). She had been a heathen. (2). Then she became a proselyte to the Jewish faith, became one "which worshipped God." (3). She "heard" the gospel; "the Lord opened her heart," and she "attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul." (4). She was baptized, and brought her household into communion with Christ. (5). Exercised a generous hospitality: constrained the ministers to become her guests. (6). She based her hospitality upon her fidelity to the Lord. For His sake she ministered unto His servants. 16. We went to prayer-to the place of prayer, where they had first met |