The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-06-11
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JUNE IS.

Subject: Paul Crosses To EUROPE,
.x,.. .s.1D-Golden Text. Acts xxii.' 10
Memory Verses, Q. 10 Com men'AfS
on tho Days Lesson.
Introduction this lesson we
begin Pauls second missionary journey.
We are now entering upon new epoea IA
the development and growth OF the enu' hv
This widespread missionary enort w
which the gospel was carried into Europe
has probably accomplished more Tor civi'
lization and religion in its far reaching re-
suits than any other expedition IN the ms
tory of the world. We now leave TINS
most interesting history. during the re.
mainder of the year, and with the next
quarter resume cur studies IN the oia
Testament.
zion round about Antioch OF Pisidia.
Hurlbut thinks the reference here Is 10
tour among the churches ut lconium and
Antioch" There is nothing to show that
he nreached in any new churches in this
district. "Galatia." The great central
table.land, north and east of Phrygia.
This is his first visit to this province: In
to a single sentence is compressed the
iabor OF months, of which we can obtain
a deeper insight through the epist!e to
the Galatians, which shows that the COS.
mel was at irst received with enthusiasm,
but as quickly iorsaken when Judaissic
teachers appeared to pervert his influence:
Forbidden" Either by some special
providence, or by direct communication
of the Spirit, in order to lead them into
very heart Of civilized Eeathendom. The
years later Paul came to Ephesus 1s: l9l,
and for three years preached to jews
and Greeks in Asia. Chap. 10: 10; %: 81.
Asia" Not the continent, nor Asia
Minor, but the Roman province, border
ing on the Aegean Sea, Of which Ephesus
was the capital.
!. "Mysia." A province on the Aegean
Sea. "Assayed." Were intending to 60.
"Bithynia." Northeast of Mysia, on the
southwest shore of the Black Sea. "Su..
fered them not" The Spirit by irresis.
tible intimations restrained Paul 30 that
10 other route remained open except that
8. Passing by." They were obliged
to pass through Mysia in order to reach
Troas, but "they omitted it rs a preach.
ing place" Game to Troas" A noted
seaport, where travellers from the upper
coasts OF Asia commonly took ship to pass
into Europe. Here Paul end his assistants,
Silas and Timothy, were joined by Luke,
the writer of this history, and a native
of Antioch, who to the profession OF q
physician had joined that Of Christian
minister, or evangelist.
o. "a vision" This was the third
supernatural revelation; not a dream. but
a walking vision. "A man" Not an &C.
tual representative, stood before Paul, but
probably an angel in the form Of man man:
The heathen do not present themselves
before US, but God casts a shadow OF
their need, and Himself calls US. Not lack
Of visions, but lack OF obedience Is ours.
Macedonia" This most celebrated coun.
try lay to the north Of Greece. Thessa:
lonica was its capital. Come over"
Understood by Paul to be call from the
Lord to preach in Macedonia.
10. Immediately" The vision, the
voice, and the cali for help. were all Cod
sent, and Paul was ready the moment the
way was made plain. "Endeavored." By
seeking for a ship in which to ecoss the
Aegean Sea. Concluding" (R. W
After they were not permitted to remain
in Asia, they were no doubt rejoiccd to
receive direct leadings from the Lord as
to their field Of labor. :,
IL. "Samothracia." A rocky island in
half way between Troas and Neapolis.
"Neapoiis" The same as Naples. The
seaport Of Philippi, sixty.6ve miles from
Troas.
IL. "Philippi." They did not remain
at the seaport, but pressed inland about
ten miles to me larger city. This was an
ancient town. enlarged by Philip Of Mace.
don. the father OF Alexander the Great,
who named it after himself. "A colony"
Founded by Augustus. The civil magis.
trate and military authorities were Ro.
man. The inhabitants did not settle IS
they pleased, but were sent out BY author.
ity from Rome, marching to their destina.
ton like an army with banners, and pro.
duced, when settled, a miniature Rome,
with Roman laws, the Roman language
l3. I'VE went" Paul. with his fervent
soul and strong intellect; Silas. with his
zeal and prophetic gifts; Luke. with his
scholarly culture and professional attain:
ments; and Timothy, with his youthful
earnestness. These were the gospel work.
ers. A river side. There was probably
no synagogue in the city. A place Of
prayer (R. W. The Jews had such places
OF prayer" sometimes in buildings, some
times in the open air, as was the case ~
this instance. Because OF ceremonial wash.
ings they were as often as possible near
q riverside or on the seashore: Sat: The
posture OF Jewish teachers. Unto the VIC.
men. Claudirs had banished from Rome
and her colonies all men known to be
Jews, and 30 there were only women
in attendance at this Hebrew service.
The Macedonian women occupied q more
than independent position. and were held
in hi.ner honor than in other parts OF the
world
IA. lydia" A woman of wealth and
force. She had come from the very prev.
ince where Paul had been. by the Spirit,
forbidden to speak. The first Asiatic con.
vert on European soil, as Cornelius was
the first European convert on .Asiatic soil.
These two cases OF Lydia and Cornelius
were the two spans OF the bridge which
united Asia and Europe by the gospel.
Seller of purple" Lydian women were
celebrated for the art Of purple dyes and
fabrics, the traffic in which was profitable:
they being worn chiefly by the princes and
the rich. Judge. s: 20; Luke l6: 10.
"Worshiped God" As a proselytc in the
Jewish faith. Lydia and her household
worshiping God according TO their light:
were in the way of salvation. Opened y
Enlightened. impressed BY His Shirt, and
so prepared to receive the truth. ITO
give heed" tR. W She received and
obeyed the truths OF the gospel.
Is. Household" All who may be in
cluded in this term joined with Lydia in
her new faith. Faithful" II you have
confidence in my profession. then do honor
to me by coming into my house. Abide.
We have here the first example o: Chris
tian hospitality which was SO lovingly rrac.
ticed in the apostolic church.
Rear.Admirat Ssmpson's VIII.
u