Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-12-28
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 81
WRISTS COMING AND COMING
TO CHRIST (REVIEW).

let MIN Say COHle- anu ne Ilat is atn1TSt,
let him come. He that wills let him take
of the water of life freely.-Rev. 22:17
1t is possible in lessons one to nine
to review the past quarters work, in
D logical, chronological manner, but
lessons seven and nine are not in their
proper chronological setting These les
sons extend over five years of Pauls
life from about So A. d. to 60 A. d.
They are five wonderful years, and the
last of the authentic years we have of
the life of this wonderful man. The
revi 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
us the center. The rest of the Book of
Acts cover another period of approx
mately 16 years from 40 to 62, and is
the record of the foreign missionary
work of Paul and his cop,nanions, Paul
being of course the ceslrIal character
The series for this quarter close with
HE vision of the final tliU lph of Chris
= tianity as seen by Jrao in the Revela-
ton. Maps should be employed if pos
sible to show the journeys of Paul.
The risen Christ ard 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.
Toe home church (Chs. 2-O began with
about 120 praying i..,n and women
Peters first sermon br ught into 1.-THE
way" 5000 more. T. ON 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
pster carries on the work throughout
I-soy1dda, 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
lit that city who were suffering from
famine. Then begins the period of for
eign missions, covering about sixteen
years, from about A. d. At 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
Al 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 Yeas, from A. D. so to 50. Paul
had his Macedonian vision during this
Y lne and the gospel first entered Eur
Nope, beginning with the conversion OF
the Phillipian jailor. PauPs 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. d. 50
to 56 or 81. He re-visits the Asia Minor
churches to strengthen them, spends
S@Aearly three years at Ephesus, and has
some outstanding adventures as, foi
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 ne has desired to preach the Cos.
pei in Rene. Everyone Of the trials
hindrances, oppositions and attacks
proved to be the means by which hs
gained that desired end.
In this particular quarter, in lessor
one, we see Paul's calnness in persecu
ton, his prudence under danger. II
lesson two, his delicate courtesy and
in Selling every opportu
ty that he might witness for his Lord
m lesson three is manifested his un
shaken belief in everything found il
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. II
(lesson six, his humility. In lesson sew
en-, his well balanced common sense
and his love of peace among his broth
rem. In lesson eight, we see him long
ing for human companionship ane
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
Last Sunday we stood with Isaiah
looking down through the centuries tt
the man of Galilee 700 years hence
Today, as We review this quarter ano
the lessons Of the past year, we are
looking back nearly two thousand years
to the one who wrought out our saliva
tion on Calvary, but we may alst
turn our faces the other way and lool
for him whose returning Will bring
peace to the earth, and ut whose com
ing the brightness of his glory shall
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