Middletown transcript., 1921-09-10
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl119ldaySc11oel q
' Lesson '
tBy REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
q, 1921, Western Newspaper Unionl
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER II
PAUL IN ATHENS.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 17:16-34.
GOLDEN TEXT-In him we live, and
move, and have our being-Acts 1928
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Luke 4:16-
90
PRIMARY TOPIC-Paul Telling the
People about God.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Paul in Athens.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
lin Famous Greek City.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Paul in a Center Of Learning. Being
Driven from Berea, Paul Fled to Athena
!. The Idolatry Of the Athenians
". 16). .... at=
Athens was the intellectual metrop-
oils Of the world at that time, tho
home Of the worlds great eloquerce
and philosophy. Paul's spirit was
stirred within him when he saw the
city wholly given to idolatry.
II. The Parties Concerned wv. IL
21).
True to his usual custom Paul went
into the Jewish synagogue and entered
into earnest argument with the Jews.
From them he turned to such as were
found in the market place. Here he
came into touch with the Epicurean
and Stole philosophers. The former
were atheistic materialists. They de-
MED the doctrine Of Creation. They
gave themselves up to sensual in
dulgences since they had no idea Of
future judgment. The latter were
pantheists. When they heard the
preaching of Paul they desired to
know what new doctrine he preached,
so they invited him to the Areopagus
where he might speak to them of his
new doctrine. They inquired as to
what this "babbler" might say. The
word 'babbler" means literally "seed-
picker" They conceived Paul as a
globe-trotter who had gathered up
seeds Of truth here and there over the
world, and that he was somewhat like
themselves, interested in talking about
that which he knew.
ut. PauI's Address on Mars Hill
wv. 23-3D.
l. The introduction wv. %, 23). He
did not accuse them Of "superstition"
as the A. V. would make it, but as In
the Am. r. V. he introduces his dis
course in courteous and conciliatory
manner, stating that he perceived that
they were very religious. This he ex-
planned by stating that as he was view
ing their city he beheld an altar with
an inscription "To the Unknown God"
This was his point Of contact. He
proceeds at once to connect it with
the idea of the living God, implying
that this altar had been erected to
Him. He was too wise to begin at
once to denounce heathenism and
idOlatry.
2. The body of his discourse wv.
24-3D.
(1) A declaration concerning God
wv. "a, 25). (a) He created the
material universe ". 24). This was
direct blow at the philosophy of both
the Epicureans and the Stoics. He cid
not attempt to prove the existence of
God; it needs no proof. The Bible
everywhere assumes the existence Of
divine being. (b) His spirituality
and immensity wv. "a, 25). He is
not served with "men's hands as
though he needed anything" neither
is He confined by any sort of religious
temple. Being essentially spiritual
He demands heart-service, and being
transcendent above all He is not con-
fined to earthly temples. (c) His ac-
tive providence ". 25). He gives ex-
istence, bestows needed gifts, and as
sovereign directs all things.
(2) Declaration concerning man (vv.
26-3). (a) His common origin ". 26).
This was a blow at the foolish Athen-
ian pride which supposed that they
were superior to all other people. This
proposition he proved from their own
literature (see v. 2S). If men are ting
offspring of God and bear His like
ness it is utter folly to make images
as the senseless idols were. (b) Ma
tions have their place by the SOW
ereign purpose of God ". 26). The
position and mission of each nation is
of Gods appointment. (c) Men should
seek God ". 26). His goodness and
grace in supplying all our needs, and
ordering even the affairs Of the ma
tions should move man to see and seek
God, for He is indeed very near to
every one; so near that our existence
and movements are all under His con-
troll ". 27). (d) Pressing Obligation
to repent wv. 30, 3D. This was his
supreme message Though God had
formerly passed over idolatry He now
calls to all men to repent. Tie solemn
reason for such action is the coming !
day of judgment, the credential of |
which is the resurrection Of Jesus
Christ from the dead. The judgment
Of God of an unbelieving wcrld is as |
sure as this fact. Men will be judged |
on the basis of their attitude toward |
Jesus Christ.
w. Result of PauI's Preaching wv.
32-S4).
1. Some Knocked ". 32). This Is
ever the case Today men and women |
are mocking the preacher who breaches
a judgment to come. The attitude of
the mOcker does not alter the fact of |
judgment.
9. Some procrastinated ". 32). This
is the common way of men. They may
not mock, but they hesitate to accept
and act upon the urgency of the mes
sage.
8. Some believed ". 34). Where