Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-30
Che freeman.
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
By REV. j. o. SHERBURN.
June 10th At Iconiup and Lystra-Acts l4l-1s

At the close of our last lesson we Sa
Paul and Barnabas just escaped from II
rage of the Jews at Antioch, and for ii
time, stopping at Iconium. 1t seem
natural to suppose that the events RECORD
ed in our present lesson began to tax
place on the first Sabbath after the
arrived in Iconium. 1t is not sale
indeed, that they went into the synagogu
on the Sabbath day but there would hard
ly be gathering there on any other day
1t would seem that their first preachin
in this place was received with unusua
readiness by the people. Without dout
they were specially aided by the Spirit O.
that occasion. "a great multitude be
leved" it is said. This was not usual upo
their first appearance in strange city
But this very marked success was not t.
pass without opposition. Satan neve
suffers his strong-holds of superstition ant
fanaticism to be invaded without fight
The Jews, as usual, were first to com
mence opposition. They used theil
influence over the Gentiles, and so stirred
them up that they were prejudiced
against Paul and Barnabas. Doubtless
they circulated false reports about the
Apostles. The extraordinary success thai
attended their works.here, as we'll, per-
haps, as the opposition which was excited.
led them to remain, here long time.
They would naturally wish to confirm the
believers, and also to vindicate themselves
and their doctrine against the false
insinuatons of the Jews. Their labors
were specially honored of God and he gave
attest of his approval by aiding them to
work miracles among the people of
Iconium. But the hatred of the unbelieving
portion of the people became more intense
and at length rpened into plan to put an
end to their teachings by raising mob and
stoning the Apostles. Learning of this
murderous design they fled to the city
nearest Iconium, in accordance with the
direction of Jesus, for he had said "when
they shall persecute you in one city flee
ye into another"
At Lystra, Paul, in the midst of his
preaching, saw one of his hearers who
appeared to be unusually interested. lie
also noticed that the man was cripple,
unable to walk. Seeing-the interest of the
man and judging that he had faith in the
Christ he was preaching, Paul stopped
short and addressed him personally, crying
out in a loud tone "Staud upright On thy
feet" No sooner was the word spoken
than the healing power came, and the
man began to leap and walk.
The effect of this miracle upon the peo-
Pile was peculiar. They saw evidence of
a divine hand in the work wrought, and in
their judgment of the case they were so
far correct. No human power could per-
form such a wonderful work. But they
were accustomed to worship false Gods
and had no real knowledge of Jehovah.
So they reasoned that their Gods had
visited them in the form of men. 1t will
be noticed that it is said, that in declaring
this conviction they used the speech of
Lycaonia. 1t is not certain, by any means,
what this speech was; it may have been
some eastern language or only dialect of
the Greek which had come to be used in |
those parts. Their religious notions were
at least Greek; as Jupiter was termed the
father of the Gods, or the supreme deity
among the Greeks, while Mercury was his
by whom he usually communi
Gated with men.
1t may besinferred that Barnabas had
an older appearance than Paul, and posi-
bly, appeared more dignified and silent.
Hence they call him Jupiter, and as Paul
was prompt as speaker they call him
Mercury Not understanding the language
which the people used Paul and Barnabas
did not know of their design until the
priest of Jupiter was ready with his oxen
and garlands to do them sacr ifce. When
he Apostles knew of this plan they ran in
among the crowd with the usual, eastern
of grief and alarm, and
,alled out "men why do ye these
hings." At once they protested against
he misconception that had obtained con-
,erning them, and declared to the people
I'VE also are men of like passions with
7ou." Their mission was no. to receive
homage or worship, but to teach men to
urn from every form of false worship to
erve the living God. 1t is interesting to
lotice how Paul used the mistake which
he people had made, rs text for some
cry important practical teachings. He
new, as few men ever did, how to take
dvantage of all such events to give point
nd deliniteness to his preaching.
As thoughts of deity were in their minds
'aul turns them to "a view of the living
nd true God, and of their duties to him.
He does not upbraid them for worship
lg Jupiter, but suggests, sadroitly, an
pology for their conduct. because in !
leir ignorance God suffered all nations
} walk in their own ways, i. e., to wor- 0
nip as their fathers worshiped. Yet he
inmates that they were without excuse
| worshiping false gods, inasmuch as the
ue God was always speaking TO them a
trough his gifts, and by his works in v
lie natural world. SO called. With these 8
sstraining words, Paul hardly kept the o.
eople from the homage they had thought a
} pay 10 him and his associate. fl
This lesson is particular important, c
ecause here for the first time Christianity u
'mes in contact with heathenism unmod- h
led by Jewish teaching. Before we have ly
und the apostles in some synagogue of Ii
e Jews, but it is likely that no such y
stitution existed at Lystra. The Jews a a
ere not however without influence there Y,
the event proved. Thus we be gin to 1t
9 how fully the gospel of our Lord was u
nted TO the needs of men in ell condi. e