The true northerner., 1897-07-21
The SUNDAY SCHOOL
International Lesson for July %, 1907
-PNaI Preaching I'm AtheDs-Acts
T-too-lf

in November. from the fact that with the
ancients, navigation In those seas closed
In Athens from four TO eight weeks.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
i. Paul at AtheDs-AmoDg 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.
H. Paurs Work in Athens-Among
the Philosophers.-Vs. 1921. He ex-
cited so much interest that the atten-
tion 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. 22-3l. %. I'm the
midst OF Mars Hill:" Either the place
Areopagus or the court of Areopagus,
wherever it sat.
Introduction. "Ye are too supersti-
tious:" This and the Il. V. are possible
renderings, but do not express the facts
nor the courtesy of Paul. He would
say: "Ye are very religious" for OBJ
jects of religion were on every side.
%. AS 1 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. Il found
an altar To the Unknown God"
Subiect.-The True God. First. The
true God is the Creator and Source of
all things. "Whom Cor WHAT therefore
We 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 lie dwelleth by His Holy
Spirit.
25. Neither is worshiped (served)
with mems bands:" 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
II is n 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 in
us and about us pertains to God.
20. "Forasmuch then as we are the
ofTspring:" Children and heirs of God,
of His love, His care, His nature, His
home, His happiness. "We ought not
to think" etc: 1t is impossible that
spirit should have an idol for it's
father.
Fourth. The Immediate Duty. 80.
"And the times of this ignorance God
winllcd att" 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
nJw:" Since Christ has come with
new light, new motives, new message
from God. "Commandeth all men
everywhere to repent" To turn from
their sins, and live as children of a holy
God should live.
Fifth. \ 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. "In that He hath raised
Him from the dead" The resurrection
of Christ brought assurance of the
judgment o the world by Christ.
". Paul's Success at Athens.-Vs.32-
"a.
First Effect. Some Mocked. Paul's
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 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
several of them. but only two prominent
ones are mentioned.
81. "Dionysius the Areopagite:" A
member of the court OF Mars Hill. and
hence a prominent and learned man.
"a woman named Damaris:" For what
she was noted is unknown. but she
must have been n woman of distinction
and power. A church was founded here
later, and the Parthenon became n
Christian temple.
PRACTICAL, SUGGESTIONS.