Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-23

Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.


After the conversion of Sergius Paulus
Mt Paphas, doubtless spent in strengthen
inc the work there, Paul and his company
left the island for the main land of Asia
Minor. They came first to the town OF
Perga. This city, though less than two
hundred miles from TarSus, the home Of
Paul, had probably not before been visited
by any of the apostles or leading evange-
lists. But we must not suppose that this
or any of the neighboring cities was
altogether destitute of knowledge o
Christ. There were Jews and jewish
synagogues in all these larger towns and
the connection of these Jews with Judea
and Jerusalem was very intimate. They
often came and went to the city of their
fathers. 1t is not said that they preached
at all at Per2a, but we can hardly think
of Paul remaining in any place even for
few days without having his "spirit.
stirred within him." when he saw the
great need of tho gospel among the
people. At this point, it would seem, a
question arose about continuing their
missionary tour farther inland. John,
surnamed Mark, was desirous of returning
and did finally 60 back to Jerusalem.
leaving Paul and Barnabas, perhaps with
some other attendants, to 60 on as far as
they pleased.
The first preaching mentioned on this
tour was at Antioch in Pisidiah. Here
the evangelsts found themselves on the
Jewish Sabbath. AS had doub less been
their custom all their lives, they went into
the Jewish synagogue upon that day and
sat down with the worshipers. After the
reading of the Scripture lessons of the
day, the rulers, probably the elders of the
synagogue are meant, sent special
invitation to Paul and Barnabas to address
the congregation, Some have thought
this was done without any real knowledge
of the true character of these strangers
but under the supposition that they were
mere rabbins of learning from Jerusalem.
think. however, that it is more natural
to suppose that they were known to be
Christians and even the Jewish leaders
were curious to hear them. Paul at once
responded to the invitation, and addressed
tie congregation. We are not informed
that Barnabas spoke on this occasion.
Paul gave, as he often did, brief outline
of Jewish history, and declared that
Jesus had come to fulfill the predictions
,ol 1bota Nln
were so much affected by what they heard
that they were drawn to the speaker, and
sought to hear more even after the
assembly was dismissed. 1t is always a
very cheering Indication when men tarry
after service to enquire" more about what
they have heard, The counsel given
them by Paul and Barnabas was marked
by the highest wisdom. They persuaded,
i. G.. urged them to continue in the grace
of God. 1t was Of Gods grace. or favor,
that they had conceived desire to know
OF the doctrine of Christ. Now the thing
to be done was to cherish that desire and
continue to seek its qualification.
Like in his narrative passes over
weeks time about which nothing is said;
but we cannot suppose that one 50 ardent
and persistent as Paul was could al
low all this time to pass without much
faithful work among the people. Such
was the interest aroused that it is said
"the next Sabbath day came almost the
whole city together to hear the word of
God"
Al the sight of so great company, $50
much larger than was wont to gather in
the Jewish services,) the Jews grew
envious and spoke against those things
spoke by Paul, and so intense was their
anger that they began to blaspheme.
This word may mean that they spoke
contemptuously of the apostles, or that
they reviled the name of Jesus. 1t is
quite natural that they should do both
under the circumstances. Paul and Bar
nabas were not 10 be suppressed by
abusive language. They waxed bold
and with a biting sarcasm told the Jews
that since they put away from themselves
the word of life, and thus Judged" or
proved themselves unworthy of eternal
life, they were now free 10 give their
attention wholly to the Gentiles. Their
commission was first to the Jews, but
when it became evident that they could not
reach them t. ey were at liberty to bestow
their labors upon others. As proof that
they had scriptural warrant for so doing
they quoted from Isaiah 49:6, as showing
that the design of Chrlst's mission was 10
all the world of mankind. When the
Gentles heard the declaration of the
apostles they were glad, for now no
longer were the Jews 10 claim superiority
over them. The next clause is, of course.
one about which there has been much
controversy. "As many as were ordained
to eternal life believed But other
Scripture makes it plain that all who
come seeking God with sincere hearts are
ordained unto eternal life, and it is wholly
impossible for any one coming in any
other even TO believe in God TO the saving
OF the soul. Hence the expression means
ONiJ bh'S 10 'hthJ 40 Satao uS
earnest seekers of the truth believed. The
result of these labors at Antioch was that
all abroad in the surrounding country the
gospel spread, and the foundations of a
great church in Asia Minor were thus
early laid. But the Jewish aristocracy In
the place, men and women, prevailed;
and the apostles were driven out of their
coasts. But this rage and abuse of the
Jews only served to scatter the gospel
seed to fields more remote; from Antioch
ne apostles went eastward nearly hun
tired miles to the city of Iconium, always
town Of Importance in those times, and