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LESSON FOR SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1877.
PAUL AT LYSTRA.
Golden Text. — But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God,
and an everlasting king.” Jer. io: io.
Time.— The year 46.
Place. — Lystra, in Lycaonia, a Roman Province.
Circumstances. — Driven from Antioch, Paul and his compan
ions went to Iconium, nearly east, 93 miles. There they were
treated just as they had been at Antioch, and so they had to flee
again. They went further towards the southeast to a place called
Lystra, in Lycaonia. These towns were all on the great road be
tween the city of Ephesus, and Tarsus, and Antioch, in Syria, and
the great country of the river Euphrates. It is thought that Timo
thy might have lived and been converted at Lystra. (See Acts 16:
1, 2; a Tim. 3: n.)
SCRIPTURE LESSONActs 14: 8-20.
8. And there s-»t a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet,
being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked :
9. The same heard Paul speak : who steadfastly beholding him,
and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10. Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he
leaped and wal'. ed.
11. And, when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted
up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are
come down to us in the likeness of men.
n. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius,
because he was the chief speaker.
13. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,
brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
sacrifice with the people.
14. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they
rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15. And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? vVe also are men
of like passions with you, and pteach unto you that ye should turn
from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and
earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein :
16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
ways.
17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he
did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling
our hearts with food and gladness.
18. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people,
that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch, and Ico
nium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew
him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up,
and came into the city; and the next day he departed with Barna
bas to Derbe.
Outline. —1. Paul heals a ckh i le. 2. The i-luple
excited. 3. The priest sacrifices. 4. Paul ex
postulates. 5. Paul stoned.
QUESTIONS.
General.—Where was Paul, in our last lesson? Why did he
leave Antioch? Where did he go? What occurred there?
Where did he then go? Tell where Iconium and Lystra are,
and what you know about them. Who was Paul’s companion?
1. Paul heals a cripple, 8-10. — Who heard Paul
speak at Lystra? (V. 8.) Meaning of impotent? What
did Paul perceive? (V. 9.) Meaning of faith to be
healed? What did Paul say ? (V. 10.) What did the
man do ?
Whose power really wrought this miracle? What enabled Paul to
perform the miracle? What is shown by Paul’s beholding and
perceiving that he was in a fit state to be healed?
2. People excited, 11-12. — Who became excited
when they saw what Paul had done?jV. II.) How
did they manifest their surprise? What did they call
Barnabas? (V. 12,) What did they call Paul?
What do you understand by the gods? What would you say was
shown by such an excitement in a superstitious people, whose
old traditions were revived by such an act?
3. The Priest sacrifices, 13. — Who brought oxen
and garlands unto the gates? (V. 13.) What did he
and the people proceed to do ?
What do you know about Jupiter? What do you know about
Mercury ? On the part of the people what character does
this proceeding indicate?
4. Paul expostulates, 14-18.— When Barnabas
and Paul heard of this proceeding what did they do?
(V. 14.) What did they cry out? (Y. 15. Meaning of
men of like passions ?— of vanities? What did they say
God had made ? What did they say God had suffered
in times past? (V. 16.) Meaning of suffered? Mean
ing of work in their own ways? How did they say
God had made himself known? (V. 17.) Filling their
hearts with what? Did they manage to restrain the
people? (V. 18.)
Why are the heathen without excuse? (Rom. i: 19-23.) What is
forbidden in the first commandment? Why were the people
acting wrong?
5. Paul stoned, 19-20. — Who come from Antioch?
(V. 19.) What did they do? Meaning of persuaded
the people ? What did they do to Paul ? What hap
pened while the disciples stood around Paul? (V. 20.)
To what place did he go next day ? With whom ?
Where was Derbe ?
EXPLANATIONS.
Verse 8. There sat—va. some public place, begging;
(see Acts 3: 2;) helpless, powerless. His
KIND WORDS.
was a well-known case of extreme helplessness—not
from deformity, but from a want of strength in his lower
limbs: this is shown by impotent, cripple, who never
had walked, in this verse.
Probably Paul was preaching in the market, or in some public
place or street. Lystra, the home of Timothy, (Acts 16: 1,)
was forty-five miles southeast of Iconium, (Konieh.) There
was no synagogue and few influential Jews. The scenes of this
lesson show that the people were heathen idolaters.
V. 9. Steadfastly— intently, (to behold his spiritual
state;) faith to be healed— literally faith to be saved.
Paul saw in the man a spiritual acceptance of the Gospel as well
as faith to be restored.
V. 10. Leaped —leaped up and walked about, show
ing that his cure was instantaneous and complete. V.
11. People— crowds round about, the natives of Lycao
nia ; speech of Lycaonia— language of the country; the
pods are come down— showing that they were heathen
and worshiped false gods.
It was the common belief of the ancients that their gods sometime
visited the earth in the form of men ; and there was a tradition
that Jupiter and Mercury had visited that people before.
V. 12. Jupiter— the chief or supreme god of the an
cients ; Mercury— the god of eloquence and messenger
and attendant of the other supposed gods. V. 13. Be
fore the city— Jupiter was the tutelary god of the city
and there was a temple of Jupiter in front of the city
gates; oxen— to sacrifice; garlands— to crown the oxen
with. V. 14. The Apostles— Barnabas and Paul.
They are so called because they were missionaries called and sent
forth in an especial manner by Jesus. (Acts 13: 3.) Doubtless
both had seen Him—Paul miraculously near Damascus (1 Cor.
9 : 1,) and Barnabas as one of the seventy. (Acts 1: 21, 22.)
Rent their clothes —a sign of grief and horror. V.
15. Why do ye these things?— an earnest remonstrance
or protestation.
It would have been directly contrary to their mission to receive or
permit such sacrifices.
We arc men therefore not to be sacrificed to as gods;
vanities —idols, false gods; (Isa. 41; 24; 1 Cor. 8: 4.)
V. 16. All nations— all the Gentiles; own ways — of
idolatry, without a revelation of himself. V. 17. Wit
ness—evidence of his existence, power and goodness.
Turn to and read Acts 17: 24-28, and Romans 1:19, 20.
V. 18. Scarce—with difficulty. V. 19. Persuaded the
people— prevailed on the fickle-minded multitude to stone
Paul, who was chief speaker and therefore most promi
nent. V. 20. Howbeit— but, nevertheless; disciples—
converts there; rose zip— it is uncertain whether he had
been dead or not; but it certainly reads as if his recov
ery was miraculous.
QUESTIONS FOR THE YOUNGEST.
Did God ever come to earth in human form? Yes.
When and how dies he do so? When Jesus Christ was
born and lived among men. Is it wrong to call any
body else God? Yes. Who were called gods once?
Paul and Barnabas. Why were they called godsl Be
cause Paul cured a cripple. What were the people
about to do in honor of Paul and Barnabas? Offer
sacrifices. Was that right? No; it was wrong. What
did Paul and Barnabas say? That they were but men,
and that to offer sacrifices to them was wrong. To
whom did they advise the people to turn? To the true
God. How may we offer sacrifices to God ? By giving
ourselves to him. Have you done so?
LESSON FOR SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1877.
THE YOKE BROKEN.
Golden Text. — Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ
hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage. Gal. 5: 1.
Time. — Fifty years after the death of Jesus.
Place. — Antioch, in Syria.
Circumstances. — After the occurrences of the last lesson, Paul
and Barnabas preached in all the towns of Pisidia and Pamphylia
(Acts 14 : 24.) They preached in the very towns where they had
been persecuted. (Acts 14: 21.) They ordained pastors in the
churches formed. (Acts 14: 23.) Then they returned to Antioch
in Syria and gave an account of their journey. (Acts 14 : 26, 27.)
But trouble arose in that church, (and perhaps in all the other
churches of that whole region.) Some “false brethren” (Gal 2;
4) had come “ from Judea” (Acts 15 ; 1,) perhaps from Jerusalem,
and declared that all the Gentiles who joined the church should be
circumcised, or they could not be saved. (Acts 15 : 1.) Paul and
Barnabas denied this, because it was contrary to the “ truth »f the
Gospel,” (Acts 15 ; 2, 3 ; Gal. 2 : 5,) which declares that we are
saved by faith. (Acts 15 :9; Eph. 2 : 8.) To end the dispute the
church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to lay all
these facts before the apostles, elders and the church at Jerusalem,
(ver. 4, 21,) and ask their judgment and advice in the matter.
(Read chapter 15, carefully.)
SCRIPTURE LESSON:—Acts 15: 22-31.
22. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole
church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with
Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas,
chief men among the brethren :
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner : The apos
tles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which
are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out
from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, say
ing, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law : to whom we gave
no such commandment:
25. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to
send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell
you the same things by mouth.
28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon
you no greater burden than these necessary things;
20. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood,
and from things strangled, and from fornication : from which if ye
keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch; and,
when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the
epistle;
31. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
CHOSEN MEN SENT.
HURCH’S EPISTLE.
ONSOLATION AFFORDED.
QUESTIONS.
General.—What were the last four lessons about? Where did
Paul and Barnabas go as missionaries? Can you tell some of
their experiences? (Learn the names of the places, where the
places were, and what happened at each place.) When Paul
and Barnabas returned to Antioch, what account did they
give? What trouble afterwards occurred in the Antioch
church? What did the church do to end the dispute?
1. Chosen Men Sent, 22. — Who received Paul and
Barnabas when then came to Jerusalem ? (V. 4.) What
did Paul and Barnabas say? (V. 5.) After the church
had held a conference and considered the matter, what
did it please the apostles, elders, and the whole church
to do? (V. 22.) Who were sent?
2. The Church’s Letter, 23-29. — Who wrote and
sent greeting to the Gentile brethren in Antioch, Syria
and Cilicia? (V. 23.) What did they write they had
beard? (V. 24.) Had they authorized that statement?
What did it seem good unto them to do? (V. 25.) With
whom? How were Paul and Barnabas complimented?
(V. 26.) Who were the brethren sent ? (V. 27.) What
were they to do? What seemed good to the Holy Spirit
and to them ? What are the four necessary things men
tioned ? (V. 29.)
Did the letter lay any claim to divine inspiration? Had not the
Spirit indicated this freedom from the ceremonial yoke before?
(See Acts 10: 44; 13 : 52.) Did this letter express any eccle
siastical authority ?
3. Consolation Afforded, 30, 31.— Who came to
Antioch after being dismissed by the Jerusalem church?
(V. 30.) When they had gathered the Christians of
Antioch together what did they deliver ? Who rejoiced
at the consolation afforded by the letter? (V. 31.)
EXPLANATIONS.
Verse 22. The apostles and elders with the whole
church— this shows that the action was the action of the
church at Jerusalem, adopted in full conference. V. 23.
They wrote— omit the word letters entirely; apostles,
elders, and brethren— this simply includes the whole
church: it was a circular letter of brotherly counsel to
Gentile converts in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. V. 24.
Troubling —disturbing; subverting —unsettling, turning
upside down; the law— ceremonial law of Moses; no
such commandment (\ewce. out such altogether)—no
authority or commission at all. V. 25. Assembled with
one accord— agreed with one consent, or become of one
mind—that is, unanimously. V, 26. ILazarded—jeop
arded, exposed. V. 27. Tell by mouth— so as to con
firm the letter. V. 28. Seemed good to the Holy Spirit
and to us— who are guided and directed by him, (that
is, inspired.;) necessary things— 'R&z&s&axy to union and
harmony of feeling and action, between Gentiles and
Jews. V. 29. Meats offered to idols— which would be
to encourage or connive at idolatry; from (eating) blood
and things strangled —this was forbidden; (Gen. 9:4;
Lev. 17: 10-14.) V. 30. Multitude— the whole body
of Christian believers; for the consolation— or comfort
afforded by the letter: it settled the dispute and did not
force circumcision on them.’
QUESTIONS FOR THE YOUNGEST.
Who died for sinners? Jesus. In order to be saved by
him what must we do? Believe on him. Besides this
are any forms or ceremonies necessary ? No. Through
what alone, then, are men saved ? Through faith in
Jesus. What is faith in Jesus? It is trust in the sacri
fice he made on the cross. Do you trust in Jesus ?