The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1916-12-28
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 81
cHRIST'S COMING AND CUNNING
TO CHRIST (REvlEW).

GOLDEN TEXT-The spirit ana the
bride say, come. And he that" heareth.
let him come He that wills, let him take
Of the water of life freely.-Rev. 2217
1t is possible in lessons one to nine
to review the past quarters work, in
a logical, chronological manner, but
lessons seven and nine are not In their
proper chronological setting. These les
sons extend over five years of Paul's
life from about SO 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. 3O-46, with Jerusalem
as the center. The rest of the Book of
Acts cover another period Of approx
mately 16 years from 46 to 62, 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-
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. 2-7) began with
about 120 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 8-12) covers 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
ut that city who were suffering from
famine. Then begins the period of for
eign missions, covering about sixteen
years, from about A. o. ~ to 60. The
principal characters begin OF course
with Paul and Barnabas, though Paul
soon takes his place of leadership
oauls first missionary journey lasted
or about two years, from say A. ID.
II to 40, -Barnabas being his principal
Returning to Antioch from
Jerusalem, Paul soon began his second
Quincy, this time taking with him
Silas. Again there is period of about
wo years, from A. D. so to 81. Paul
lad his Macedonian vision during this
ime, and the gospel first entered Eur.
pc, beginning with the conversion of
he Phillipian jailor. Paul's preaching
t Athens and his service at Corinth
re perhaps the most outstanding fea. !
lres of this journey. Paul's third jour.
ey lasted nearly three years, A. d. 90
, Sc or 81. He re-yisits the Asia Minor
hurches to strengthen them, spends
early three years at Ephesus, and has
)me outstanding adventures as, for.
lstance, the riot at Ephesus about
lie shrines of Diana. Returning to
to take part in the feast, he
told of the ultimate prosecutions
hich he must endure. For a long
me he has desired to preach the Cos
Il in Rome. Everyone of the trials,
ndrances, oppositions and attacks
owed to be the means by which he
lined that desired end.
In this particular quarter, in lesson
lie, we see Paul's calmness In persecu.
IN, his prudence under danger. In
Sson two, his delicate courtesy and
rewdness In selling every opportu.
ty that he might witness for his Lord
lesson three Is manifested his I'M
AIKEN belief in everything found in
e Scriptures, and his wise use there
in leading men to Christ. In lesson
e, his fearlessness amidst danger
d his absolute confidence I'm God. In
son six, his humility. In lesson sew.
his well balanced common sense
d his love of peace among his breth.
]. In lesson eight. we see him long.
! for human companionShip and
npathy, and have an evidence Of his
Re for his own eOuntrymen, and yet
faithfulness declaring the word of