The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-12-30
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 81
CHRIST'S COMING AND COMING
TO CHRIST (REVIEW).
READING LEssoN-Rev. 22:s-14; 1921

1t is possible in 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 Paufs
life from about 5S A. d. to 63 A. ID.
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 period of about six
teen years, A. .. 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 81, 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
tianity as seen by John in the Revela-
ton. Maps should be employed if pos
sble 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. 30 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.
Paul was converted on the road to
Damascus, Philip goes to Samaria, and
Peter carries on the work throughout
LYDIA, Joppa and Caesarea. In this
section we have the story of Philip
and the Ethiopian, of Peter curing the
| palsied man at LYDIA. the raising of
Dorcas and Paul and Barnabas return
ing to Jerusalem with help to those
| at that city who were suffering from
| famine. Then begins the period of for
eign missions, covering about sixteen
years, from about A. d. AZ 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.
AZ to 40, 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. so to 81. Paul
had his Macedonian vision during this
time, and the gospel first entered Eur
ope, beginning with the conversion of
the Phillipian jailor. Pauls preaching
at Athens and his service at Corinth
are perhaps the most outstanding fea-
lures of this journey. Paul's third jour-
ney lasted nearly three years, A. ID. 53
to So or 81. 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 long
time he has desired to preach the Cos
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 muir
der him, his Imprisonment at Caesarea,
his appeal to Caesar, his journey, ship
wreck and final deliverance at the i'm
perial city, chained to a Roman sol
der, and we are at the end of anthem
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 Pauls calmness in persecu-
ton, his prudence under danger. In
lesson two, his delicate courtesy and
shrewdness in Selling every oppOrtu-
nifty that he might witness for his Lord.
In lesson three is manifested his I'M
shaken belief in everything found in
the Scriptures, and his wise use there
of In leading men to Christ. In lesson
five, his fearlesSness amidst danger
and his absolute confidence in God. In
lesson six, his humility. In lesson sew
en-, his well balanced common sense
and his love of peace among his breth-
rem. In lesson eight, we see him long
ing for human companionship and
sympathy, and have an evidence of his
love for his own cOuntrymen. and yet
his faithfulness declaring the word of
God to them as well as to the Gentiles.
In lesson nine, we see how he built his
practical teachings for the conduct of
daily life upon the doctrine about God
/ and the eternal purposes of God and
the boundless mercy and grace of God.
Tho remaining lessons of this Ia CT mar