The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-09-20
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
SEPTEMBER "a.
Lesson Text: Quarterly Review, Acts
xvi-xxviii Golden Text:
Romans K, IL
Commentary.


LESSON Paul called to Europe (Acts
xvi, 6-15). Golden Text (Math. xviii, 19),
go ye, therefore. and teach all nhtions,
baptiztng them in the name OF the Father,
and of the Son. and of the Holy Ghost"
This quarters studies might be summed up
in the phrase, God glorifled in Paul" (Gal.
l., 24), for wherever he went and whatever
he did his ambition was that Christ should
be magnifed in his body (Phil. l., 20). This
particular lesson illustrates the words.
Lied blythe spirit OF God" ''Do as occasion
serve thee, for God is with thee" My word
shall not return unto me void" (Rom. will,
"A /; 1 Sam. x, 7; Isa. w., 1D.
LESSON II.-Paul at Philippi (Acts xvi,
19-34). Golden Text fActs xvi. SD, Be
lieye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved" AS we follow Paul from
place to place, let us remember his words,
mot I, but Christ" ''The life Of Jesus
manifest in our mortal flesh" (Gal. H., 20 !
II Cor. w., 1D. He has gracet to praise God.
even though his back is scourged, his feet in
the stocks and he cast into prison. He takes
pleasure in reproaches and prosecutions Oh
Cor. xii, 10) for Christ's sake. He has no
influence with the magistrates. but he has
power with God, and household finds
Christ.
LESSON III.-Paul at athens (Acts xvii,
22-91). Golden Text (John w., 24). "God is
Spirit, and they that worship Him must
worship Him in spirit and in truth" Jour-
neying through the centers OF earths wisdom
and culture aud seeing the blilde5s oi people
to the realities of time and eternity, he is con-
strained to tell them OF the true God, who is
not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance (1I Pet. Ill, 81,
and OF him who Is to be the judge OF all, even
He who was delivered for our offenses and
rose again for our justification (Rom. w.,
23-25).
LESSON Iv.--Paul at Corinth (Acts xviii,
1-11.) Golden Text Il Cor. l., 49, "The
foolishness, but unto US which are saved it is
the power OF God" See the hand o. the
Lord In bringing Aquils and Priscilla to
Corinth about this time. Thus Paul is pro-
vided with home and employment so that
he may freely preach the gospel, and they
became qualified to teach others OF Christ
(verse 26.) Note the Lords care of His SER
want and His kind words to him In verses 9,
10. Make much OF the promise II am with
thee," and compare Ex. ill.,, 12 iv., IL; Josh.
l., 5, 9; Judg. vi, 16; Jer. l., 8, 19; Hag. l.,
Is 4; H., 4 Math. xviii, 20.
LESSON V.-Paul at Ephesus (Acts XIX,
LEY Golden Text (John xvi, 13), when
He, the Spirit OF Truth, is come, Hewill guide
you into all truth" Now we have two years
at Ephesus resulting in all In the province OF
Asia hearing the gospel (verse 10Y and so left
without excuse. It seems to me that the
Lord would be glori1ed and His coming
greatly hastened II the church would neglect
some other things and arise to give every
soul, on earth chance to hear the gospel
once at least. -.
LESSON YI.-Paul at Miletus (Acts xviii {;
22-35.) Golden Text Heb. xiii, y, Remember
them which havethe rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word OF God. he Is
now on his way to Jerusalem; returning rom
his third missionary tour. He knows that
more suffering awaits him. but he gives that
no thought. He only desires TO testify OF
Christ and finish his ministry (verse A).
LESSON vII.-Paula at Jerusalem (Acts XXI,
27-39l. Golden Text (Phil. t., 29), ''For unto
you It Is given in the behalf OF Christ not
only to believe on Him, but also to suffer tor
His sake" Paul has now fallen into the
hands Of religious zealots who knew not the
Lord Jesus. and gladly would they kill him
as they did his Master, but Paul is safe IN
his work is done, though he may be called
upon to endure much suffering.
LESSON yIII.-Paul Before Felix (Acts
XIV. 1925. Golden Text Q Cor. xvi, 1S),
q,
like men, be strong" Paul is now pris-
oner at Cesarea, in the hands Of the Romans,
and this lesson Is his testimony before the
governor, Felix, and in answer to his ac-
cusers, the high priest and elders from Jer-
usalem. He confesses to his firm faith In
all the things written in the law and IN the
prophets, in the resurrection OF the dead and
in the necessity Of having conscience void
Of offense toward God and man. Later IN
the lesson he breaches Christ before Felix
and Drusilla, and reasons OF righteousness,
temperance and judgment to come.
LESSON IX-Paul Before Agrippa (Acts
xvi, 1892. Golden Text q Cor. l.; 24)
.;Chrlst the power Of God and the wisdom o'
God" After two years Paul is still pris-
oner at Casarea (chapter XIV, 2O, and hav'
ing appealed unto Caesar, Festus, the new
governor. desires him to testify before King
Aprippa, that he may have some definite &C.
cusation to send with him to Caesar.
LESSON X.-Paul Shipwrecked (Acts XVII:
3O-44). Golden Text (Ps. XVI, y, "God Il
our refuge and strength, a very present nell
in trouble" The close Of last lesson madt
us feel sorry that Paul ever appealed tc
Casar. but Gods ways are higher than ours
and we learn in verse "a Of this chapter thai
it was Gods purpose to bring Paul before
Caesar. Nothing can frustrate Gods pur
poses (Ps. xxxiii., IL lisa. XIV, 24), while
mans vain imaginings will always come tC
naught. Satan had many times sought Il
| kill Paul. and this storm is probably another
] attempt of his. but the Lord delivers, and
satan is confounded. What Jesus said con-
| cerning His church is true also OF every
member Of it (Math. xvi. IS: John K. 2S):
LESSON XI.-Paul at Rome CActs xviii,
2O-31). Golden Text (Rom.. l.: l6l,,, u an am
| not ashamed OF the gospel OF Christ. The
purpose OF God has thus far been accom-
plished. and Paul is at last in Rome, stiii !; !;
prisoner, it Is true. but free to receive all
who come to him and to preach to them tne
kingdom of God and the things concerning
| the l. ,rd Jesus Christ oversees 30, 81. Inls
! iNalnlost the last we hear Of Paul, ana we
| find him still eXpoundin2 Scripture, and
| from Moses and the prophets preaching Je-
gus (verse 23). May the last heard OF Us pe
| on the same line. .,,,..
LESSON XII. Personal Responsibility
| Rom. xiv. 12-2S). "a Temperance lesson.
| Golden Text (Rom. xiv. 2D, 1t Is goou
neither to eat flesh. nor to drink wine, nor
ANYTHING whereby thy brother stumbletn.
I would emphasize in this lesson Iust tne
thought OF the whole quarter that these
bodies of ours are for Christ. not Tor our
selves that as ''even Christ pleased mol
Himself (Rom. xy, 81. so we are TO i've,
NOT unto ourselves. but unto Him VINO dleo
for us and rose again II Cor. ", l5), sne
kingdom of God and His Righteousness oeine
always first with US (verse II and Math. VI,
3S) and everything tested by HOW VIII !!
nnnear" at the judgment seat OF Cnrls'
verse 10; II Cor. ". l0)?-Lesson Helper.