Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-07-20
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
International Lesson for July rs, 1907
Paul Preaching in Athens-Acts
17:22-34.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
they that worship Him must worship Him
In spirit and in truth.-John 4: a.
in November from the fact that with it the the
ancients, navigation in those seas closed
November II: Paul probably remained
In Athens from four to eight weeks.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
I. Paul at Athens-Among the Jews.
VS.. 1917. Paul began his work in the
Jewish synagogue on the Sabbaths,
but went daily to the Agora, or market
place, and discussed religious themes.
II. Pauls Work in Athens Among
the Philosophers.-Vs. 1921. He ex-
cited so much interest that the atten-
ton even of the Epicureans and Stoics.
the leaders in philosophy and religion,
was drawn towards him. After dis
cussing with them for a time they re-
quested him to leave the crowds of the
market and ascend the steps of Areop-
agus, Mars Hill.
III. Paul's Address Before the Court
of Areopagus.-Vs. 1921. %. I'm the
midst of Mars Hill" Either the place
AreOpagus or the court of Areopagus,
wherever it sat.
Introduction. Eye are too supersti-
tious:" This and the R. V. are possible
render1ngs, but do not express the facts
nor the courtesy of Paul. He would
say: Eye are very religious,'' for OBJ
jects of religion were on every side.
%. LAS I passed BY" or along. In
his wanderings around the city. "And
beheld:" Was attentively contemplate
ing. "Your devotions:" Not acts of
worship, but objects of worship, such
as temples, affairs, images. II found
an altar To the Unknown God"
Subject.-The True God. First. The
true God is the Creator and Source of
all things. "Whom Tor WHAT therefore
ye ignorantly worship" Rather, whom
ye worship, not knowing his name, and
attributes, and nature. There is no re-
proach implied, as there is in our trans
lation-" ignorantly."
"a. "God:" The true God created all
things. God that made the world: "
Not an idol, not one of many deities
with which the Greeks peopled the
world, but the Creator of all things,
the Supreme Being, the one God.
"Dwelleth not in temples made with
hands," though as beautiful as those
they saw around them. In the temple
Of mans heart He dwelleth by His Holy
Spirit
Is. Neither is worshiped (served)
with mems hanns:" as idols are, but
only by mems hearts. He wants not
help, but love.
Second. God is Drawing All Men To-
ward Himself. ~. THAT they should
seek the Lord" The whole object OF
the Divine providence, in His dealings
with nations as well as with individuals
is to bring them to knowledge of the
one true God. might feel after Him,
and find Him." Paul here defines the
actual position not only of idolatry, but
of the modern systems of religion, such
as rationalism. spiritualism, so far as
it is religion, and all systems that
leave out Christ and an inspired Bible.
They ask questions to which Christ is
the answer.
Third. We Are Gods Children. %.
"For in Him we live:" Everything il,
us and about us pertains to God.
20. ''Forasmuch then as we are the
offspring:" Children and heirs of God,
of His love, His care, His nature, His
home, His happiness. 1--WE ought not
to Think" etc: It is impossible that
a spirit should have an idol for its
father.
Fourth. The Immediate Duty. 30.
"And the times of this ignorance God
winked ats" j. e., overlooked. Sins COM
mitted in ignorance are different from
those committed against light and con-
science. They do not so harden the
soul against God and the good. ''But
n1w:" Since Christ has come with
new light, new motives, a new message
from God. "Commandeth all men
everywhere to repent" To turn from
their sins, and live as children of hoiv
God should live.
Fifth. A New Motive. 81. "Judge the
world in righteousness" The right
eousness of the Judgment is what makes
it terrible to the conscience. by that
man whom He hath ordained:" The
man Jesus Christ, whom God had or
dained as the Saviour of all who will
believe, and the judge of all the dis
obedient. Hath given assurance" or
confirmation. I'm that He hath raised
Him from the dead:" The resurrection
of Christ brought assurance of the
Judgment of the world by Christ.
". Paul's Success at Athens.-Vs.3 49,
"a.
First Effect. Some Mocked. Paurs
teaching was opposed both to their
philosophy and their lives. The easiest
way to escape his conclusions was to
sneer at them.
Second. Some Delayed a Decision
There was nothing against Paul. and
they dismissed him for the present
ready to hear more if convenient sea.
son ever came.
Third. Some Believed. There were