The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1912-03-30
. o o q q . o 3. q q y p . y .
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON. .

BY Pastor c.. w. Foley.
April 1.-THE Appearances of the
Risen Lord
Cor. Is: Ill.
l.. The Popularity of the Chap.
ter-It sets forth the heavenly char.
acter of the church. With the ex-
ception of this chapter, this epistle
is given to the place of the church in
the world, and it's practical work
ings. In this it differs from the
epistles to the Ephesians and Colos-
slams where the heavenly character
of the church is constantly kept be-
fore us.
2. The Occasion for the Epistle-
The critical condition of the church
In ,Corinth. The condition was a
peculiar one. Like the seven church.
es addressed in Revelation, there
| was that which was commendable
though much that was condemnable.
! The commendable feature was the
presence of faith, which was never
in question. The condemnable things
were numerous, 1. Factions. 9.
immortality. g.. Serious disorder in
their work and worship. This epistle
shows conclusively that it is possible
for one, whose standing or position
Is perfect in Christ, to be in state
or condition most imperfect, even de-
plorable. @
8. The Bearing of the Fifteenth
Chapter on the Preceding Ones.-We
understand from 1872 that the doc
trine of the resurrection had been
called in question by some. We have
no difficulty in putting things to-
gether-laxity in moral life would
most naturally make the doctrine of
the resurrection a repellent one.
Paul evidently presents it as cor
rective. Notice that Paul gives the
second coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ conspicuous place in the
opening of his letter, and now closes
1t with no uncertain sound regard
ing the resurrection of the dead.
There is no escape-"We shall all be
made manifest before the judgment
seat of Christ It is quite evident
that the first eleven verses, setting
forth as they do the appearance of
the resurrected Christ in such an in
disputable way, form the foundation
upon which Paul builds his argu-
ment for the resurrection Of f;the dead.
We see then how vital they are, but
we will miss the point nwe~study
them in the isolated way suggested
by the lesson division.
Paul's manner of opening this
chapter sustains the view we have
taken. The opening words have the
ring of disappointment and re-
proach. Their confusion was not
due to any neglect on the part of
Paul as teacher, but to their own
"1t now declare unto
you (anew9 brethren, the gospel
which I once before preached unto
YOU" "If any man willeth to do his
will. he shall know of the teaching"
(John 7:17), but confession is the
sure result of indifference in a prac- !
tical way to the teachings of scrip
ture.
Alternate or Parallel Lesson-Mis-
sionary Lesson
Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-1O.
Topic -<tThe Gospel shall tri-
umph" Golden Text-Isa. 11:9.
Nothing could possibly be palmer
than that this scripture does not re-
fer to this present dispensation. Note
2:2-4--This is declared of the "lat-
ter days. Again, it is "when the
law shall 60 forth out of Zion" When
Jehovah shall "judge between the ma
tions.' The time when the weapons
of war shall be beaten into agricul-
tural implements surely there is no
prospect of it now. The verses of
the eleventh chapter are equally
clear. The plain statement is that
it shall be when Jehovah shall "slay
the wicked "smite the earth,'' and
ssrule with equity" These are the
days of grace, mans day." during
which Satan is prince, and god
of this worldwide dare question it?
The day when hostility shall cease,
and serenity reign. Then, and not
before, shall the earth be full of the
knowledge Of Jehovah