Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1916-12-30
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 81
CHRlST'S COMING AND COMING
TO CHRIST (REVIEW).

READING LESSON-Rev. 22.6-l4. 1921
GOLDEN TEXT-The spirit and the
bride say. come. And he that heareth
let him say, come. And he that is atlirst
let him come He that wills. let him take
of the water of life freely-Rev. 22IL
II 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 PauTs
life from about 50 a. ID. to GO A. ID.
Ihey are five wonderful years, and the
last OF the authentic years we have OF
the lie of this wonderful man. The
review should of course center i'm Paul.
his conduct, character and teachings.
The first twelve chapters of the Book
or Acts, in which we have chiefly been
studying cover II period of about six
teen years, a. ID. 30-46, with Jerusalem
as the center. The rest of the Book of
ActS cover another period of approx
mately l6 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
| the vision of the final triumph of Chris
uanity as seen by John lin the Revela-
ton. 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-O began with
about 12O praying men and women.
Peters first sermon brought into 1.-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
obOob ACh ytuIs. ItTScCullOn SthlIeTeO
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. ID. AZ to 62. The
principal characters begin of course
with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul
soon takes his place of leadership.
Pauls first missionary journey lasted
for about two years, from say A. d,
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..se
time, and the gospel first entered Up III
ope, beginning with the CONVERSE
the Phillipian jailor. Paul's prea
at Atbans and bis sorr,oa % n, start q
arc narbons Tho mos. orts.ond,oS ood-bY
lures Of this journey. Pauls third
ney lasted nearly three years, A.
to SO or 81. He re-visits the Asia ~
to strengthen them,
nearly three years at Ephesus, al
some outstanding adventures
instance, the riot at Ephesus
the shrines of Diana. Return
Jerusalem to take part In the fe BRO
IS told Of the ultimate perservous
which he must endure. For aHS,N
time he has desired to preach the COS
pei In Rome. Everyone of the trials,
oppositions and attacks
proved to be the means by which he
gained that desired end. Indeed the
Roman government finally gave him
rec transportation, though they did
lot understand it at the time. The as
'ault upon Paul at the Temple Court
If Jerusalem, the conspiracy to muir
Ter him, his Imprisonment at Caesarea.
lis appeal to Caesar, his journey, ship
wreck and final deliverance at the i'm
'erial city, chained to Roman SOL
lier, and we are at the end of authen-
ic history regarding this marvellous
nan who, aside from Jesus Christ.
las made the greatest impress upon
history of any man who ever trod this
arth.
In this particular quarter, In lesson
ne, we see Paul's calmness In persecu-
ion, his prudence under danger. In
essen two, his delicate courtesy and
hrewdness In Selling every opportu-
lily that he might witness for his Lord.
n lesson three Is manifested his I'M
haken belief in everything found in
he Scriptures, and his wise use there
f in leading men to Christ. In lesson
We, his fearlessness amidst danger
nd his absolute confidence In God. In
essOn six, his humility. In lesson sew
n, his well balanced common sense
nd his love Of peace among his breth-
en-. In lesson eight, we see him long
lg for human companionship and
ympathy, and have an evidence of his
I'VE for his own countrymen, and vet
Is faithfulness declaring the word of
cd 70 hon wu~nII