Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-20
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
For October %. Acts 2O:1-21:17.
BY DR.. MARION NH. HULL

where they stopped for week with
the disciples while the ship was
unloading her cargo. Taking an af
fectionate farewell on the shore of
theSbrethren (even the children were
loath to say goodbye to them), they
sailed to Plotemais and then to Cas-
sarea, taking two more days. Hav-
ing nearly three weeks to spare,
they tarried there many days in the
home Of Philip, and then completed
the journey on foot, reaching there
just before Pentecost.
Important Incidents
Cut of the many important Incl
dents and queS tions Connactr1 with
this journey we must confine our
consideration to but few. Luke's
joining him after at least five years
at Philippi; his farewell address to
the Ephesian elders at Miletus; his
visit with Philip at Caesarea; his
determination to go on to Jerusalem
in spite of all efforts to restrain
him; and the outcome of his efforts
to promote unity. Each Of these
might consume an hours study so
full of interest and Importance are
they, but we shall only touch them.
The change of the pronoun to
1--WE" in Acts 20:5 indicates Luke's
presence. 1t was on this visit that
he secured the information that en-
abled him to write the gospel. At
Caesarea he learned from Philip the
events of chapters 6, 7. 8 of the Acts.
From Mason, one of the Original"
disciples (Ch. 21:16), he learned the
history of the early days recorded
in chapters is Of Acts; at Jerusalem
1, Il ia
mother of Jesus, and now a very
old lady, to whom, as a doctor, she
told things no other ears would
have heard Uuke 1-3).
The farewell address at Miletus
gives us a peep sinto the very heart
of Paul, his methods and his mo-
tives. He counted no sacrifice too
great if by it he could complete the
ministry God had given-to make
known the gospel of the grace of
God. And he did this publicity and
privately, by day and by night, with
great humility, with tears, and amid
all kinds of temptations, until he
could tel them that he was pure
from the blood of all men. To what
extent are you initiating him?
His visit to Philip mus: have re-
called Stephen, and brought to him
afresh the intensity of his hatred
OF the NaZarene, and Of His marvel
Gus grace displayed toward him who
had prosecuted the church unmerci-
fully.
But one of the most interesting
questions is whether Paul Shoul1
have gone on to Jerusalem or not.
In Miletus he told the elders he did
| not know what the outcome would
! be except that in every city tho
Holy Spirit witnessed to him that
bonds Of affections awaited him. Al
Tyre, the Spirit, speaking through
the disciples there said 10 him THAT
he should not set foot in Jerusa-
lem." At Caesarea Agabus came
down from Jerusalem, and 'aking
Pau1s gird1e and binding his feet
s2id. Thus s u the Holy Ghost,
| so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind
| the man that owneth this girdle,
and shall deliver him into the hands
of the Gentiles." All of the disciples
| there and then begged Paul not to
| go. including these eight friends
who had come with him, and Philip
and his four daughters who were
| prophetesses. Yet, in spite Of all
this, he insisted on going. Did he
| do right?
My answer is, NO. The Holy Spir-
it never double-crosses. He prophe-
sled to Paul that bonds and afflic-
| tons awaited him; but that did not
make any difference to Paul so long
as he could accomplish his purpose.
When he reached Tyre, the Holy
| Spirit put it stronger. He spoke
through the disciples there and said
| to Paul that he should not set foot
in Jerusalem. (Ch. 21:4. That was
as plain a command as one could
give, but Paul pressed on. When he
came to Caesarea, Agabus taking
his girdle and binding his feet said
"Thus saith the Holy Ghost and, so
| forth" There were two warnings
: and one distinct command, and yet
Paul went on.
Why? Because he had such a
love for his brethren, the Jews, that
he wanted to show them at any
cost how much he loved them. He