Middletown transcript., 1916-12-30
INTERNATIONAL
SONNEYSIOOL
LESSON
(By +. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
the Sunday School Course in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1915. Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 81
cHRIsT'S COMING AND COMING
TO CHRIST (REVIEW).

READING LESSON-Rev. 29:6-14; 1921.
| GOLDEN TEXT-The spirit and the
bride say, come. And he that heareth,
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:l1
1t is possible in lessons one to nine
to review the past quarters work. in
a logical, chronological manner. but
lessons seven and nine ere not In their
4 proper chronological setting. These les
SONS extend over five years of Paui's
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 Acts eeEer another period of AnproXi-
mately 16 years from 46 to O. 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-
| el, he ff
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 lever since.
The home church (Chs. 2-7) began with
about 12O 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 CSulGE tllCSll1G tlO AAS ANANa
(Chapters S-12) covers q 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. Al to 62. The
principal characters begin OF course
with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul
soon takes his place of leadership.
PauIs 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 a period of about
two years, from A. D. 80 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. Paul's preaching
at Athens and his service at COrinth
are perhaps the most outstanding tea-
lures Of this journey. Paul'S third jour
ney lasted nearly three years, A. d. 5S
I to 56 or 81. He re-visits the Asia Minor
churches to strengthen them. spenus
nearly three years at Ephesus, and has
some outstanding adventures as for
instance, the riot at Ephesus about
tbe shrines of Diana. Returning to
Jerusalem to take part in the feast, he
is told of the ultimate prosecutions
which he must endure. For q long
time he has desired to preach the gos-
pel 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 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 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 Pauls calmness in RsFsecu-
ton, his prudence under danger. IN
| lesson two, his delicate courtesy and
shrewdness in seizing every opportu-
. nifty that he might witness for his Lord.
: In lesson three is manifested his un-
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
ana his love of peace among his Dretn-
rem. In lesson eight, we see him long
1np for human c0mpanionShip ana
sympathy, and have an evidence OF MS
love for his own cOuntrymen. and yet
his faithfulness declaring the word Oh
!. God to them as well as to the Gentlles-
In lesson nine, we see how he built MS
e practical teachings for the conduct OF
daily life upon the doctrine about IOu
+ - 4to eternal nurposes of God and