Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-08-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson VII. Third Quarter,
For Aug. is, 1909.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text of the Lesson, Acts xix, 500
Memory Verses, 10, 2o-Coiden Text
Acts xix, documentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
copyright, 1909. by American Press Association
On the return of Paul from his
last journey he landed at Caesarea
where there must have been quite q
company of believers besides the
household of Cornelius and Philip and
his four daughters. We can scarcely
think of Paul passing through with
out fellowship with them, for at an.
other time we find him and his COM
pany spending several days at Philips
home xxi, 8, 81. The church at Jeru-
salem would be DESTROYS to hear all
about this great journey and the open
doors in Europe, but the record simply
says "saluted the church" xviii, 22),
which may have included a rehearsal
Of the Lords doings in Europe. Then
during his stay at Antioch he would
not fail to tell of those households at
Philippi who accepted the Lord Jesus
and of all the marvellous grace Of God
| This brings us to his third journey,
concerning the beginning Of which we
read that "he went over all the coun-
try of Galatia and Phrygia in order,
strengthening all the disciples xviii,
23). He has told us in his epistles how
to be strong, so we can understand
how he strengthened them. See Eph.
Iii, 1919; vi, TO- II; II Tim. II, 1. There
Is no salvation, no strength, no victory,
except in Christ Jesus, by His word
and Spirit and by virtue of His precious
blood.
When Paul left Priscilla and Aquila
at Ephesus on his return home from
Corinth he did not know that he was
thus providing teachers for a man al
ready mighty in the Scriptures as far
as he knew them, but so 1t turned out
xviii, 1929. If increased knowledge
Of God is given to any Of US 1t Is that
we may meekly instruct others who
have not the same measure of light,
Blessed that we may be blessing is
the Lords way for His redeemed.
When Paul reached Ephesus on this
third tour he found disciples who had
been Taught by Apollos, evidently be-
fore he had been further instructed by
Priscilla and Aquila, knowing only tho |
baptism Of John. When Paul had in
structed them more fully they received
through him in the name Of the Lord |
Jesus q special filing Of the Holy
Spirit and spake with tongues and
prophesied xix, g.
1t seems quite clear that when Aquilla
and Priscilla heard Apollos in the syn
agogue they did not attempt publicly
to enlighten him, but with humility
and loving tact took him privately,
probably to their home, and eXpounded
unto him the way Of God more per-
fectly. Then it may have been that
Apollos thought better to begin else
where with the new light he had re-
ceived rather than where he would
have to confess that he had not pre-
viously been fully taught in some
things. That would have been human
weakness, but this Is only a sugges-
ton. AS to Apollos two instructors,
they were only humble tentmakers,
and, while doubtless glad to help any
who were willing to be helped, they
did not feel called to act as public
teachers
For three months Paul spoke boldly
In the synagogue at Ephesus, talking
to them from the Scriptures concerning
the kingdom Of God verse 81. See
this great topic elsewhere in the Acts
In chapters l. g. 6; viii, -; xiv, %; ky,
%; xviii, %, 81, and from other por
tons of Scripture seek to understand
1t and then let the Lord use you to
help others to see that the kingdom OF
God is nothing less than the will of
God done on earth as in heaven and
that when it is fully come a righteous
Israel shall be the earthly center, a
blessing to all the nations on the earth,
and Jesus, as son Of David, shall oc
,upy the throne Of David at Jerusalem
Acts ii, 80; ill, 81; Luke l. 31-33 lisa
x, 6, 7; xii, 1-3, 6, y.
This Is the age Of "the mystery" The
Kingdom being postponed, the church,
he body of Christ, is being gathered
% reign with Him when He shall re-
urn in His glory. To this end we
should carry the gospel everywhere, I
having the ambition which Paul had ,
o preach Christ specially to those who l
lave not yet heard Of him Rom. XIV,
,0), and when the unbelievers resist ,
md talk against "the way" then enter ,
ome other door In the same town or ;
70 to another city or town. When the d,
'ews resisted, Paul continued teaching !
n Ephesus. but at another center, "in ,
he school of one Tyrannus," and for
wo years he continued, so that all :
hey which dwelt in Asia heard the
word Of the Lord Jesus (verse 10). He
vas in EpNesus at this time about
hree years. warning people night and
lay and ofttimes with tears Xxx. =
u. This was the Lords time to sow
his part OF His field. but in chapter =.
wi, 6. His line had not fully come. .
When we re fully yielded and can =
ruly say 10y times are in thy hand"
Ps. XXI. r. we will rest in the Lord
nd dwell 18th Him to open or shut,
S He shall please, having full conf =,
ence in rs management. God for
ONE reason wrought in special and :,
nusual W. upon the bodies of PEG :
lie t1irougi, Paul at this time verses y
l, 49, pro1"bly because the devil by
is agencie was working specially too.
tut the LORD exceeded all the power Of
he adverse =, the name Of the Lord
esus was magnifed, the word Of God :,
rev nightly and prevailed, and there =.
vas what might be called a $4,000 !,