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4 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 ?