Middletown transcript., 1916-09-23


Alb
A map is essential to an understand
ing of Paurs labOrS and adventures
especially a preSent-day map, with it's
modern names of the places which he
visited. 1t should he used in teaching
this lesson, and New Testament his
tory generally.
1t will cause the lessons to relate
themselves more closely to the world
as we now know it. During the past
quarter they have extended over Pc
riOd Of about seven years, from ap-
prOximately A. D. 30 to 81, acd are all
centered about the life and teaching
of Paul. 1t is difficult to attempt u
logical review A number of lessons
have been introduced from the letters
of Paul, which are not chronological
in the development of the church. 1t
might be well, perhaps, to consider
first the leading events In the life CT
Paul, and second the prominent char
acteriStics of Paul's life as we have
had them presented to us, and also TO
consider six of the cities in which
Paul founded churches in Europe,
studying their modern names and con-
ditiOns and looking into the difficulties
and dangers which he encountered.
In Lesson One we have the record OF
Pauls untiring activity. and his per-
Sistent use of the Scriptures. Every
one of his sermons was confirmed by
the Word of God. Lesson Two pre-
sents his interest in those who were
converted in his ministry; also a Sug-
geStiOn as to his unceaSing prayerful-
ness on their behalf. Lesson Three
presents his tact and wisdom in
preaching the Risen Christ, and his
emphasis upon the need of repentance.
Lesson Four gives Il suggestion of his
untiring activity in the midst of great
Encouragement and in the fact of bit
ter appOSitiOn. Lesson Five reveals
his persistent determination to know
and to preach nothing Save Jesus
Christ and him crucitied. Lesson Six
is Pau's panegyric on love as the SUI
preme gift. Lesson Seven is ;fti> eX-
position of the duty and bleSsedneSS
of cheerful giving. In it is given IL
new beatitude of Jesus. ut is more
blessed to give than to receive" which
Is nowhere else recorded. Lesson
Eight. another suggestion as to his
courage. Lesson Nine emphasizes
humility, compassionate love and
sci of God. Lesson Ten presents his
fOrgetfulneSS of himself and his eager
ness to preach Christ even when
threatened by an unreStrAined mob.
Lesson Twelve again presents his for
getfulness of himself. and his eager
seizing of every possible opportunity
to preach the Lord Jesus.
Turning to the cities that Paul Wis
tied, we first encounter Philippi (nOw
in ruinsI. This is the first city in Eu-
rope where there was a Christian
church. and 1t was one which Paul
especially loved. Though he was driv-
en- from it by mob. and escaped by
means of an angel, yet his letter to
that church is revelation of his feel
ing toward his first European cOngre-
CATION. ThessalOnica, the modern
Sa0niki in Macedonia. formerly be-
IOnged to the Turkish empire in Eu-
rope Here Paul founded church,
consisting of Jews and Greeks. Paul
is accused of turning the world upside
down, and teaching Jesus to be the
Christians king. For this he was
accused of treason against Rome. Two
epistles were written to the church in
which he does not record any fault
finding. This church has been called
the Church Beautiful" Athens was
then. as now, the chief city of Greece,
and one of the thre, most renowned
cities in the history of the world.
Paul'S famous address on Mars hill
was treated with great Indifference.
His stay was short, and never after
wards do we find him showing forth
his learning. but ever after he ex-
presses his determination to know
nothing save "Jesus Christ and Him
crucified." Il. Cor. 81, 2)J Corinth
was great commercial city. At pres
ent the original site is in ruins, but
the new Corinth has been built three
miles away. and is today u city of ap-
proximateIy $1,000 population. Paul
spent year and a half here. preach
ing and teaching. and supplemented
this with a period of three months of
service. 1t was a worldly and wicked
city. and yet Paul here founded his
largest church. converted from heath
enism. Paul has written some of the
wiseSt. most glorious and heavenly
and at the same time necessary truths
that have ever come from the pen of
man to this church in COrinth. 1t is
the great treatise upon church govern
ment. EpheSus was in the province
of Asia lin Asia MinOr) and is now in
ruins, although a small village is near
by.
In this city Paul formed church.
ND here he worked for nearly three
years.
During this time we have the story
of the burning Of the books of magic,
of the silver shrine of Diana, and of
the Ephesian riot which compelled
Paul to leave the city.
Paul afterwards revisited the
churches ne had founded in Europe
and about 62 A. D. wrote n letter to
the Ephesian churches, some six years
after he left them. and while he was a
prisoner in Rome.
The journey to Jerusalem, starting
from Philippi (now in ruins) where
Luke joined Paul with the Gentle
church's collection for the poor. is the
concluding portion Of our lesson.