The Green Forest tribune., 1916-12-29
INTERNATIONAL SUNl6YS0lO0L
 LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 31
CHRIST'S COMING AND COMING
 TO CHRIST (REVIEW).
(By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of the Sunday School Course in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago)
 Copyright. 1916, Western Newspaper Union)


 let him say, come. And he that is athirst, let him come. He that wills, let him take of the water of life freely.-Rev. 22:17.
 It is possible fin lessons one to nine to review the past quarters work, in logical, chronological manner, but lessons seven and nine are not in their proper chronological setting. These les sons extend over five years of PauPs life from about 5S A. D. to 63 A. D. They are five wonderful years, and the last of the authentic years we have of the life of this wonderful man. The review should of course center in Paul, his conduct, character and teachings.
 The first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts, in which we have chiefly been studying cover a period of about six teen years, A. D. 30-46, with Jerusalem as the center. The rest of the Book of Acts cover another period of approx- mately 16 years from 46 to 62, and is the record of the foreign missionary work of Paul and his companions, Paul being of course the central character. The series for this quarter close with the vision of the final triumph of Chris tianity as seen by John in the Revela- tion. Maps should be employed if pos sible to show the journeys of Paul. The risen Christ and the enduement of the Holy Spirit were the vision and the power which wrote this first Church History, and which have been writing Church History ever since. The home church (Chs. 2-7) began with about 120 praying men and women. Peters first sermon brought into 'the way" 5000 more. From time to time others were added. Persecution and deliverances, the first martyr, Stephen, and the dissatisfaction which led to the choice of the deacons, are the out standing events of this period. The home mission period, with Jerusalem as the center and Palestine as the field Chapters S-12) covers a period of about ten years. Persecution scattered the disciples throughout the country. dul WdS COlNcIlcu ou LuC lOdu tO Damascus, Philip goes to Samaria, and Peter carries on the work throughout Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea. In this section we have the story of Philip and the Ethiopian, of Peter curing the palsied man at Lydda, the raising of .::cas anG,.pa and Barnabas return f,orSSlI e93 -~.Auasgs1IaszulnskS Ing to Jerusalem th help to those at that city who were suffering rom famine. Then begins the period of for eign missions, covering about sixteen years, from about A. D. Al to 62. The principal characters begin of course with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul soon takes his place of leadership. Paul's first missionary journey lasted for about two years, from say A. ID. AT to 49, Barnabas being his principal companion. Returning to Antioch from Jerusalem, Paul soon began his second journey, this time taking with him Silas Again there is period of about two years, from A. D. 50 to 52. Paul had his Macedonian vision during this time, and the gospel first entered Eur ope, beginning with the conversion Of the Phillipian jailor. Paul's preaching at Athens and his service at Corinth are perhaps the most outstanding fea- lures of this journey. Paups third jour- hey lasted nearly three years, A. D. 5S to 56 or 57. He re-viSits the Asia Minor churches to strengthen them, spends nearly three years at Ephesus, and has some outstanding adventures as, for instance, the riot at Ephesus about the shrines of Diana. Returning to Jerusalem to take part in the feast, he is told of the ultimate prosecutions which he must endure. For a long time he has desired to preach the gos- pei in Rome. Everyone of the trials, hindrances, oppositions and attacks proved to be the means by which he gained that desired end. Indeed the Roman government finally gave him free transportation, though they did not understand it at the time. The as- sault upon Paul at the Temple Court of Jerusalem, the conspiracy to mur- der him, his imprisonment at Caesarea, his appeal to Caesar, his journey, ship wreck and final deliverance at the im- perial city, chained to a Roman sol dier, and we are at the end of authen- tic history regarding this marvellous man who, aside from Jesus Christ, has made the greatest impress upon history of any man who ever trod this
 earth.
 In this particular quarter, in lesson
 one, we see Paul's calmness in persecu.
 tion, his prudence under danger. In lesson two, his delicate courtesy and
 shrewdness in seizing every opportu
 nity that he might witness for his Lord
 In lesson three is manifested his un
 shaken belief in everything found 1T
 the Scriptures, and his wise use there of in leading men to Christ. In lessor five, his fearlessness amidst danger
 and his absolute confidence in God. IT
 lesson six, his humility. In lesson sev
 en, his well balanced common sense
 and his love of peace among his breth
 ren. In lesson eight, we see him long
 ing for human companionship ant
 sympathy, and have an evidence of hi
 love for his own countrymen, and ye his faithfulness declaring the word O
 God to them as well as to the Gentiles Tn lesson nine, we see how he built hi practical teachings for the conduct O
 daily life upon the doctrine about Go,
 and the eternal purposes of God an,
 the boundless mercy and grace of God
 The remaining lessons of this last quaY tar oriu ne in tuTl and cuunhnI