The Progress., 1893-09-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON I-OCT. THE POWER
OF THE GOSPEL.
Golden TEXT; Am Not Ashamed of tho
Gospel of Christ; for 1t Is the Power
of God Unto Salv ,tion to Every One
That Believeth-Rom !: S-17.

Introductory ms eplSIle was
written early in the spring of A. ID.
5s, soon after the epistle of the Gala
tians. 1t was written to the church
of Rome from Corinth. Paul was re-
turning from his third missionary
journey on his way to Jerusalem, and
with the hope that after a brief inter
val he might visit Rome. 1t was COM
posed in the house of Corinthian
Nhristian, Gaius or Caius, dictated by
1T. Paul, and written down by one
Tertius 1t was sent by Christian
woman, a deaconess named Phebe,
who was to sail from one of the ports
of Corinth to Rome. Paul, after a
graceful introduction and benediction
of 'Grace to you, and peace, gives
his reasons for writing to Il church he
has never visited, though it was far
from being unknown TO him.
l. Paurs Interest in the Church of
Rome. -vers. $40. s. First Be
fore speaking of other things. Il
thank" His first impulse was one of
gratitude. My God" 1t expresses
the personal relation of Paul to his
God Jesus Christ" But for whose
birth there had been no blessing from
God to man. For You all" Without
exception. That your faith is isspollen
of throughout the whole world" The
report would naturally spread in every
direction from the imperial capital.
Q. "For God is my witness" There
could be no other witness of his prac-
tice in prayer. Whom | serve with
my spirit" His inmost soul was
in the service. Without ceasing, |
make mention of you" Whenever |
pray, think of you.
10. Making request, if by any
means" etc. The answer to this
prayer, 'by the will Of God, is one
of the most interesting examples of
the way God sometimes answers
prayers to be found in the history of
Gods people.
ii. Paurs Missionary Impulse,
verse Ills. IL. For l long to see
you," not from idle curiosity but,
that, l may impart unto you some
spiritual gift." Paul knew that he
had helped others, and therefore could
help these Christians. ITO the end ye
may be established" In truth and in
character, without which no one can
be established in anything.
L. THAT l may be comforted. The
original word means ''exhorted," Gin
structed," "consoled." Together"
All spiritual strengthening is mutual;
he that gives, receives; and he that re-
ceivcs, gives in receiving. ''By the
mutual faith" Paul guards himself
against any possible appearance of un-
derestimating the Christian standing
OF his readers, by placing himself in
the same position as them.
I3. "Bre thren." The most common
designations of Christians in the New
Testament are ''disci plies" saints" 8"
brethren" OF these three terms,
brethren" is the one that points most
distinctly to the union of Christians
in one family of God.-Arnold. Often
times purposed to come unto you. y
As in Acts 10: 81. But was let. "
Hindered. THAT might have some
fruit" He desires the fruits of the
spirit in as many persons as possible.
IA. 81 am debtor" am under OBJ
legation. Both to the Greeks and to
the Barbarians." The civilization of
the world was Greek. The barbarians
were the uncivilized nations. ''To
the wise" The educated and talented.
ITO the unwise" All of them need tie
gospel.
Is. "As much as in me is" / must
wait the unfolding of Gods wise prov
idence, who alone has hitherto pre-
vented me. preach. at Rome also. y"
To preach in Rome and arouse all it's
evil elements backed by the powers of
Nero was a supreme test of courage.
1t was Daniel going into the den of
lions.
Ill The Gospel the Power of God,
verse 16 "For am not ashamed" To
peach that crucified Jew had been
raised from the dead and was the king
and saviour of all the world might
easily be regarded as something to be
ashamed of in the heather capital of
the world. "For it is the power of
God unto salvation. 1t is Gods in
strument for the salvation of men,
able to produce the needed results 1t
shall accomplish the work for which
it was sent. ITO every one that be-
lieveth." Believing is the means by
which salvation is received ITO the
Jews first" In time. Christ was a
Jew and preached first to them, but it
was meant "also to the Greek" the
representatives of all Gentiles
~. The Means; Faith, verse IL. "For
therein is the righteousness of God re-
vealed." The true character of God
as manifested to the world by his son.
''From faith to faith" We realize
Gods Righteousness more and more. as
we go on to higher degrees of faith.
Gas it is written" in Hab. "a. The