Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-06-13
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
June Is.
Subject Paul Crosses TO Europe, Acts xvi,
@S-0oldcn Text, Acts XIII, l5-Mem.
CRY Verse, 9, lO-Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

Introduction this lesson we
begin PaulPs second missionary journey.
We are now entering upon new epoch IN
the development and growth Of the church.
This widespread missionary effort by
which the gospel was carried into Europe
has probably accomplished more for clvi'
lization AID religion in its far reaching re-
suits than any other expedition in the his
tory Of the world. We now leave this
most interesting history. during the re-
msinder of the year, and. with the next
quarter resume our studies in the Old
Testament.
6. "Phrygia." This is al underlined re-
zion round about Antioch of Pisidia.
Hurlbut thinks the reference here is to "a
tour among the churches at Iconium and
Antioch" There is nothing to show that
he preached in any new churches In this
district. "Galatia." The great central
t;.ble-and, north and east Of Phrygia.
This is his first visit to this province. In
to a single sentence Is compressed the
labor of months, of which we can obtain
o deeper insight through the epistle to
the Galatians, which shows that the gos-
Eel was at first received with enthusiasm,
but as quickly forsaken when !! J9 s
teachers appeared to pervert his influence;
forbidden" Either by some special
providence, or by direct communication
Ct the Spirit, in order to lead them into
a wider and more important field, the
very heart of civilized heathendom. The
restraint was only temporary. Three
years later Paul came to Ephesus Qs: ls),
and for three years preached to jews
and Greeks in Asia. Chap. 10: 10; 20. 81
Asia" Not the continent, nor Asia
Minor, but the Roman province, border
IL IS ,-hIn IfrNh~ an
was the capital.
7. "Myeia." A province on the Aegean
Sea. "Assayed." Were intending to 60.
"Bithynia." Northeast of Mysia, on the
southwest shore of the Black Sea. "Suf.
fered them not" The Spirit by irresis-
tiolc intimations restrained Paul so that
no other route remained open except that
one on the seacoast, and thence to Europe.
6. Passing by" They were obliged
to pass through Mysia in order to reach
Troas, but "they omitted it as preach,
ing place" Game to Troas." A noted
seaport, where travellers from the upper
into Europe Here Paul and his assistants,
Silas and Timothy, were Joined by Luke,
the writer of this history, and a native
of Antioch, who to the profession of
physician had joined that of Christian
minister, or evangelist.
8. "a vision" This was the third
supernatural revelation; not dream, but
a walking vision. "a man." Not an ac-
tual representative, stood before Paul, but
probably an angel in the form of a man.
The heather do not present themselves
their need, and Himself calls us. Not lack
of visions, hut lack of obedience is ours.
Macedonia" This most celebrated coun-
try lay to the NORTH of Greece. Thcssaa::
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 call for help, were all Cod
sent, and Paul was ready the moment the
way was made plain. "E1deavorcd." By
seeking for a ship in which to cross the
Aegean Sea. Concluding" Or. w
After they were not permitted to remain
in Asia, they were no doubt rejoiced to
recsive direct leadings from the Lord as
to their field of labor.
II. "Samothracia." A rocky island in
the Aegean Sea, near the coast of Thrace,
half way between Troas and Neapolis.
"Neapoiis." The same as Naples The
seaport CT Philippi, cixty-fve miles from
Troas.
IL. "Philippi." They did not remain
at the seaport, but pressed inland about
ten miles to the 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 as
they pleased, but were sent out by author
i,y from Rome, marching to their destina-
ton like an army with banners, and pro-
duced, when settled, miniature Rome,
with Roman laws, the Roman language
and Roman coin.
IL. eve went" Paul, with his fervent
soul and strong intellect; S:las, with his
zeal and prophetic gifts; Luke, with his
scholarly culture and professional attain
ments; and Timothy, with his youthful
ers. A river side. There was probably
no synagogue in the city. A place Of
prayer Or, W. The Jews had such places
of prayer" sometimes in buildings, some
times in the open air, as was the case in
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 wo-
men. Claudius had banished from Rome
and her colonies all men known to be
Jews, and so there were only women
in attendance at this Hebrew service.
IHe NldCeuOlldu WOlueu Il more
than independent position, and were h,ld
in higher honor than in other parts of the
world.
IA. Lydia" A woman of wealth and
force. She had come from the very prov
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 SOL.
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: %; Luke l6: 10.
"Worshiped God" AS proselyte in the
Jewish faith. Lydia and her household
worshiping God according to their light,
were in the way of salvation. Opened"
Enlightened, impressed by His Spirit, and
SO prepared to RECEIVE the truth. ''To
give heed" (R. W She received al
obeyed the truths Of the gospel.
Is. Household" All who ny be in.
cluded in this term joined with Lydia in
her new faith. faithful" If you have
confidence in my profession, then do '',onor
to ne by coming into my, house. abide"
We have here Che first example of Chris.
tia1 hospitality which was o Lovingly praa.
ticed in the apostolic church.