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X c I I W-'i Mnp m STUDIES IN THB APOSTOLIC CHURCH. A YKARS COl'RSF. OF THIRTV-FIVK I.KSSONS, I'ROVID- IVft A DAILY SCIIEMK FOR I'KRSONAL STL'DY. ADAI'TKIi ALSO TO CLA88-WORK. CHARLES HERBERT MORGAN, THOMAS EDDY TAYLOR, S. EARi. TAYLOR. WILLIAM BRIGOS, TORONTO. i Yi I ' y f" y 8B0.:/-^ 1 " INTRODUCTION. 1 'pHE aim of " Studies in the Apostolic Church " is to a,„ enable those who use the book to master this portion of the Bible, and to impart such a knowledge of the life and work of the early disciples of our Lord as will lead to the highest Christian character and service. The Bible is a book of life. It came from God Th.B,b.c,«, through life, and it goes back to life to lift that life *■"'• Godward. " So shall my word be that goeth forth it shall not return unto me void." True Bible study is certain to produce a more abundant Christian life. Always and first of all read the assigned Scripture „„». passage for the day, and seek to get out of it what God has therein for your own heart and mind. Even in the few cases where a somewhat extended passage is set for continuous reading, read at least some part of it as your first work with the lesson for that day. Use the daily memory verse and aim to memorize some of the other selected passages. The Narrative for the First Day in each Study is The n,„,. planned to give the essential facts, and to present tlie *""• foremost Xew Testament thought in an interesting, read- able form; while its Scripture quotations, in the exact words of the American Revision, still keep the reader in touch with the Word of God. It is suggested that in personal study and in class- M.p.Dr,w.„.. work home-made maps should be used. It requires it . f. Studies in the Apostolic Church. neither experience nor the ability of an artist to draw good maps and charts. Each of the maps in the Studies has the lines crossing it forming sections that may be treated as squares. Simply note how many of these are required for any part of the Apostolic Church field which is to be drawn, and make tlie same number of squares or rectangular sections of such size as will cover the space to be used. Then draw the outlines of the map and locate places with ref- erence to these lines or sections. For example, to draw a map of the northeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, including the Island of Cyprus, it will only be necessary to draw two lines at right angles to each other, as is seen between Cyprus and the mainland, and then draw the coast line and the island with reference to these lines. In drawing Asia Minor (made up of the provinces marked Asia, Galatia, Cappadocia, etc.), and of Greece, marked Achaia, do not follow the smaller indentations of the coast line, but merely indicate the larger ones, and make the whole very simple, putting in only what is required, and entering few if any names. Maps should be freely used in all class-work. These can be drawn on the blackboard ; but since they will be useful in review work, it is suggested that they be drawn on large sheets of paper. Use the reverse side of a leaf cluster lesson roll, or five to ten sheets of manilla or printers' paper, fastened together at the top by narrow strips of wood, and acme crayon, or a red and blue pen- cil. Acme crayon, in assorted colors can be ordered of the Bureau of Bible Study, at 30 cents per dozen. Many will find it most quickening and helpful to con- 4 Introduction. struct a Scripture Outline of the Apostolic Church Scripturt period by arranging the material of Acts, Epi^^les, and ®"*""** Revelation in a notebook. Secure a notebook having good quality of paper, and bound as well as you can af- ford. A ten-cent book will do; but since you will value it higlily when your work is finished, procure a substan- tial book if possible. Then purchase two inexpensive copies of the Revised Version of the New Testament. The nonpareil 32mo from the Oxford press, at ten cents, is recommended until the American Revision can be ob- tained in similar form. The Outline on pages 11-15 will give the framework. The title of each Part and Study, both properly num- bered, are to be entered as they are reached. Then tak- ing the Scripture Outline found under Third Day in each Study, its several headings or sections including the Scripture reference are to be written in the notebook, under the title of the given Study, and the passages clipped from the Xew Testaments and pasted under these headings. When the Outline is complete, every verse of Acts, Epistles, and Revelation will have been clipped and pasted in the notebook, giving the analytical arrangement of the whole. After each section of the Outline is made, leave ample space for notes, answers to questions, etc., before enter- ing the number and title of the next Part or Study. The Bureau of Bible Study will send, prepaid, the Revised New Testament for study for 25 cents, the nonpareil 33mo for 10 cents, or two copies of the latter (for the Outline) with one copy of the former for 40 cents, or with one copy of the American Revised Bible, bourgeois, 8vo, for $1.10. '^1 ^ Studies in the Apostolic Church. For many years the students of the colleges in all Class Study. Morning Devotional o — — "" Study, parts of the world have been pursuing courses of Bible study. They have tried all hours in the day, but it is the consensus of opinion that the best hour in the day is the morning hour, before breakfast, when the soul can spend the first half-hour of the day alone with God in personal, devotional Bible study and prayer. Nothing can take the place of private Bible study for personal spiritual growth, when the soul alone meets God face to face, nor can anything take the place of united Bible study at stated periods, when each member of a class adds his contribution to the lesson of the week, and when the enthusiasm of a united effort quickens the heart of the student. It is suggested, therefore, that whenever possible a Bible study class be organized. The organization may be very simple, and the class need not be large. Some one (not necessarily the pastor) should be chosen leader. The leader need not be an authority on Bible study, but must be one who is willing to lead in hard work. Special helps to leaders of Bible-study classes, and valuable sug- gestions may be had free of charge by addressing the Bureau of Bible Study. Bureau. The Bureau of Bible Study has been organized to an- swer questions, to facilitate the ordering of supplies, to prepare and send out helps to leaders, and to give di- rection to this work. All correspondence on Bible study should be addressed to the Bureau of Bible Study, 57 Washington St., Chicago, 111. ■** It has been the purpose of the authors to provide Studies in the Apostolic Church which should be complete ■r- Introduction. ^ ^ ;: d in themselves, requiring little or no outside help. In fact, the only book strictly needed tor the course beyond the text-book, is a copy of the Revised Xew Testament or Bible. The first at twenty-five cents, or the second at ont do-'ar, are in the best form for daily study. However, one or two good reference books will greatly assist the student. [Except the Hastings Bible Dictionary (which can be obtained only from the publishers), all books referred to In this volume can bo had of Jennings dt Pye, Cincinnati, Chicago, Kansas City; or, Eaton 4 Mains, New York.] Among these are : An Oxford or an International Teachers' Bible, with its extensive " Helps " at the end of the volume. Price, *1.60 to $3.50. Or the following, which compose the list of books throughout the Studies, for general reference : Purves. Christianity in the Apostolic Age. Sys- aenerai Ref- tematic, concise, conservative. Price, $1.25, net. erence*. Bartlet. The Apostolic Age : Its Life, Doctrine, Wor- ship, and Polity. Fresh, progressive, readable. Price, $2 net. McClymont. The New Testament and its Writers. A brief but helpful little handbook. Price, 40 cents net. Stevens. The Theology of the New Testament. Very clear, thorough, and comprehensive. Price, $2.50 net. Ramsay. St. Ppul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen. Original, masterly, epocV 'aking. Price, $3. C. H., Conybeare and Howsou. .e Life and Epistles of St. Paul. The standard for the past generation and still valuable. Price, $1. Stalker. The Life of St. Paul. Written with rare liter- ary charm, brief, scholarly, and suggestive. Price, 60 cents. 1 8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Secondary References. Farrar (St. P.). The Life and Works of St. Paul. Bhetorical, brilliant, informing. Price, «3. Farrar (E. D.). The Early Days of Christianity. Covers the other New Testament writers of this period, aside from Paul. Price, 50 centa, net. Farrar (M. B.). The Me .ages of the Booi.3. Elo- quent and highly finished discourses on the New Testa- ment, book by book. Price, $3.50. Godet. Introduction to the New Testament. I. The Epistles of St. Paul. The strong and conservative conclu- sions of a great New TesUment scholar. Price, $3.50, net. Bruce. St. Paul's Conception of Christianity. Rich in stimulating insight and interpretation. Price, $2. Findlay. Article, " Paul the Apostle," in Hastings Bible Dictionary. A complete, up-to-date summary. George Milligan. The Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews. A fine and well-balanced study of all the problems presented by this epistle. Price, $2 net. William Milligan. Lectures on the Apocalypse. Judicious, clear, helpful. Price, 11.60. Hast. Bib. Diet. Dictionary of the Bible, edited by Jam Hastings. In general, it represertj a very high standard of present-day, reverent scholaral^ip. Other works to which considerable reference is made : N. C. B. The New-Century Bible. General editor, W. F. Adeney. Nine of the fresh, compact little vol- umes by as many recent writers bear upon this period. They resemble in size and adaptation to popular use the Cam. Bib., The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Col- Introduction. leges, whicli work is also highly comnu'iideiL Price per volume for The Xew-Century Bible, 75 cttnts. Stifler. An Introduction to the Study of the Acts of the Apostles. Price, 75 cents not. Rackham. The Acts of the Apostles (in Oxford Com- mentaries). Imported only. Price, *4.50 net. Dods. An Introduction to the Xew Testament. Price, 75 cents net. Adeney. The Theology of the New Testament. Price, 75 cents net. Moffatt. The Historical New Testament. Price, $4.50 net. Meyer. Commentary on Acts. Price, per volume, 13. Exp. Bib. The Expositor's Bible. ACtb. Two volumes. Price, per volume, isl.50. Ramsay (C. R. E.). The Church in the Roman Empire. Price, ?s3. Matheson. Spiritual Development of St. Paul. Price, 80 cents net. Bird. Paul of Tarsus. Price, 12. Hist. Geo. H. L. The Hisicrical Geography of the Holy Land. George Adam Pmith. Price, $4.50. MacCoun. The Holy nd m Geography and in History. Two volumes. Price, $2. Hurlbut. Bible Atlas; a Manual of Biblical Geog- raphy and History. Price, 11.50 net. Bib. Diet. Any good Bible Dictionary. That by J. D. Davis is useful for one of moderate cost. Price, $2 net. A. V. Authorized Version; R. V. Revised Version; Am. V. American Revised Version. T«'vr¥~«' •: ; lo Studies in the Apostolic Church. Rcfercnc* Library. AcLiOwledo* ment. Muny Young People's Societies uow possess missionary libraries. Would it not be an excellent idea to add to these missionary books a Bible Study Reference Library, which would be found invaluable to ind'viduala and classes pursuing this or similar courses of study? A cir- cular suggesting a model Bible Study Reference Library will be furnished free of charge upon application to the Bureau of Bible Study, 57 Washington St., Chicago. story. To ai. student who may care to attempt the writing of the story of the Ei. -ly Church, or the life of Paul or other apostolic leaders, we make the following suggestions : Select a definite audience and propose to yourself a definite aim. These are some of the dedications that have been used in such work: "To a young college stu- dent who honors Christ but dors not know him;" " To a skeptical Triend;" "To an indifferent fnend;" "To an uneducated man;" "To a little child;" "To my twelve- year-old brother." " Paul of Tarsus," by Robert Bird, written in brief, bright sections, with picturesque titles and touches of de- scription, forms an excellent model for such work, and the life of the apostle by Farrar or Stalker indicates how the choice of words and power of insight can impart a beauty and charm to every feature of these early scenes and their busy actors. In closing the Introduction, we wish to make special ackaowledgment of our obligations to Professor R. H. Walker, of Delaware, Ohio, for his preparation of the postlude at the end of the Narrative in each Study, and to thank him and others for many helpful suggestions. u Ha Mnp OUTLINE PARTS, STUDY TITLES, AND SCRIPTUEE MATERIAL iTh.^ Scrlpturo Outll,... under Third r.«y In t-ach Study glvo.«ootn. plet. an»lyiU of tbe Horlpture Material of (Hm r«.poctlv« Study.) PART I. THE CHURCU IN JERUSALEM. About 30 A. D. to 34 A. D. 8TUD\'. 1. The Coining of tho Holy Spirit. Acts i, 1— ii, 41. 2. The Primitive Life and Fellowship. Acts ii, 42-47; iii, I-IO; iv, 32-37; v, 1-16, vi, 1-7. 3. The First Waves of Persecution. Acts iii, 11-26; iv, 1-31; v, 17-42; vi, 8— vii. 60; viii, 2. PART II. THE CHURCH SPREADING THROUGH PALES- TINE AND ADJACENT PARTS OF ASIA, AND INSTRUCTED BY JAMES. About 3^ A. D. to 4.7 A. D. STUDY. 4. The Jewish Church Expanding— Persecution by Herod Agrippa I, and His Death. Acts viu, 1, 4-40; ix, 31-43; xii, 1-24 U I 2 Studies in ihc Apostolic Church. a. James th« Lord'H Hrothur and Ui. Sc-archiug Letter. The KpittU, of Jumci. 6. Tho Propamtion of Paul. Acts viii, 3; ix, 1-30. 7. First Gontile Converts— Ant iooh a Xew Center. Actax, 1— xi, 30; xii, •.>.'i. PART III. TlIK CHURCH KXTK.NDKD HY PAUL INTO ASLV MINOR. STUDY ''^*""' ^^ "^' ^' '" ^^ ^' ^' 8. Paul's First Minaionarj Journoy-Cyprus and Gala- tia — Return to /• Moch. Acts xiii, 1— xiv, 28. 9. Jernsalem Council— Gentile Liberty Conceded. Acts XV, 1-35. PART IV. THE CHURCH EXTENDED BY PAUL INTO MACEDONIA AND GREECE-HIS " FIRST SIX LETTERS. About 50 A. D. to 57 A. L. STUDY. 10. Paul's Second Missionary Journey-Cormth a New Center. Acts XV, 36— xviii, 22. 11. The Church of Thessalonica Seen Through Paul's First Letters. First and Second Epistles to the Thessalo- nians. General Outline. '3 li. Great Principlct AppliL-.l in Sjouth Gulutia. Tho KpiHtIn to tho (iulatiatw. 13. ratil's Third Miggjonary Journey— Kplieiiu a Now Center. Acti xviii, 23 — xxi, 1«J. U. Paul's Masterly i^etter on Church Order. First Kpistlo to the Corinthians. 16. The Supremacy of Love. 1 Cor. xii — xvi, used for constructive readings. 16. Paul's Emotional Letter— A Window into Ilia Ueart. Second Kpistlis to tho Corinthians. 17. Paul's Leading Letter on Christian Doctrine. The Kpistlo to the Romans. 18. The Inheritance of the Believer. Rom. viii— xtI, used for constructive read- ings PART V. THE CHURCH EXTENDED BY PAUL IN ROME AND ELSEWHERE— HIS LAST SEVEN LETTERS. About 57 A. D. to 65-67 A. D. STUDY. 19. Paul's Contests in Jerusalem and Csesarea. Acts xxi, 17— xxvi. 20. Paul's Course to Rome. Acts xxvii — XTviii. 15. mt^ 14 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 21. Ministry in Bonds and Closing Course Until Martyrdom. Acts xxviii, 16-31, and brief passages from the Epistles, used in the constructive readings. 22. Onesimus the Converted Slave, and Paul the Per- fect Christian Gentleman. The Epistle to Philemon. 23. Christ Exalted, Errors Corrected at Colosse. The Epistle to the Colossians. 24. The Ideal of the Church, The Epistle to the Ephesians. 25. Paul's Joy in the Philippians. The Epistle to the Philippians. 26. Titus, a Comrade in Labors. The Epistle to Titus. 27. Timothy, a Son in the Gospel. First and Second Epistles to Timothy. PART VI, THE CHURCH IXSTRUCTED BY PETER AXD JUDE. About 62 A. D. to G7-S0 A. D. STUDY. 28. Peter the Man and Writer of Large Heart and Hope. First Epistle of Pe*cr. 29. Two Kindred Writers Arraign Current Evils. Second Epistle of Peter and Epistle of Jude. General Outline. 15 PART VII. THE CHURCH INSTRUCTED BY THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND ACTS. About 63 A. D. to 83 A. D. STUDY. 30. Christianity Freshly Put by an Unknown Writer. The Epistle to the Hebrews. 31. The Life of Christ and the Founding of the Early Church Given Historic, Written Form. The writing of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. Hebrews viii— xiii, used for constructive read- ings. PART VIII. THE CHURCH INSTRUCTED BY JOHN. About 67 A. D. to 100 A. D. STUDY. 32. The Seer on Patmos— Messages to the Seven Churches. Revelation i — iii. 33. The Warfare of Good and Evil. Revelation iv — xx. 34. The Eternal City and Song. Revelation xxi, xxii; also xvii— xx used for constructive readings. 35. Saintly Age at Ephesus— God is Light, God is Love. First, Second and Third Epistles of John, and the writing of the Fourth Gospel. i • ■•\,.r-^vii[-y4^ An account of the course which the criticism of the New Testa- ment and the consequent constructions of the history of the Apostolic Age have taken In modern times, would show that there has been a steady return on the part of most Investigators towards the acceptance. the^T. V° /"L^f *" '" ''■''"='' t"«»"on has assigned the origin „f the books out of which apostolic history must be ascertained." George T. Pdbvks. nf »»,. n„ w f ""^ «'■'''*' ""J""' ^ ""n^" the gradual expansion toltsfunr. '■"'" ": ""' ''e«innlngs as a seeming pha.eof /udalsm to Its full development as a catholic communion, In which there was to be nodlstlnctlon between Jew and Gentile, and where the law.on which ^^f^?"''r'V '^'™''"' '° ^^•"'"y' ^"^ »" be supersed, oy the grl^e of God freely offered In the gospel." j. a. ^ jCktIionT " Great historians are the rarest of v. rllars. By general consent the s'^d^uJ,' r T.°H '"' '''«'"'" ''^'^ °' '•'''«^»*"^ fs'Thucydldes^nd u rST^ ''■''" .1"'?"^ "'''*'■ '^'"-'^""'d be, by general consent nrnht, ^"^, ^ '"• ' " ' ^'''"^ '•^''<'«"l^i"« the risk, and the probable condemnation that awaits the rash attempt, I will venture to add to the number of the critics by stating In the following chapters reasons for placing the author of Acts among the historians of the Hrst rank. ... I shall argue that the book was composed bv a personal friend and disciple of Paul, and If this be once established there will be no hesitation In accepting the primitive tradition that Luke was the author. William M. Ramsay. th« li' J"*! !**«" ^^^^ °' ^'- ^''"' '*"" ^^ '« ' "'^ "^^ ^J'o has exerted the greatest Influence on the history of the world;' a living point of connection between the three principal spheres of the tlme.-Jewlsh legality, Hellenic culture, and Roman citizenship. He could preach the gospel on the hill of Areopagus at Athens, and before the Imperial tribunal at Rome, as well as in the midst of the Sanhedrln at Jerusalem." Fredekic Godet. "Peter'searly speeches, and Stephen's apology; the Epistles to the Galatlans, the Romans, the Hebrews; the T-ihannlne Epistles and Gos- rirJ^f^f''' ^^^'^ ^"' fingerposts In the pilgrimage by which the Apostolic Age entered more fully into the (^.apel of Christ?" James Vebnon Babtlet. 16 :v^ I PART I. THE CHURCH IX JERUSALEM. FIRST WEEK. THE COML\G OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. STUDY I.-Pirst Day. Memory Verse, Acts i, 4. At the last supper our Lord said to his di:ciples, "I Chri,t the wU pray the Father, and he shall give yo. another Com- ^n- uUr forter, that he may abide with you forever," John xiv 16 • '•'*^'*^''"'"'- and again he said before his ascension, "Yc r.hall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you," Acts i, 8. 1 he Apostolic Church began with the fulfillment of these words As the Gospels have made known to us the his- tone Christ m.rifest in the flesh, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation w.:: make known the living Christ manifest m the believer and the Church. And this will also be the work of the Spirit, since Christ said, "He shall bear wit- ness of me ... H. shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you. » John xv, 26 ; The progress from Christ's resurrection to the opening App«..ch to of the apostolic age is by steps most orderly and com t^o^HZ plete The ascension assured his disciples that Christ aL*""^*'* was forever enthroned and possessed of all power Luke ' rightly places Christ's last instructions and exaltation to Heaven at the beginning of Acts. They complete the origin of Christianity, and form the introduction to apostolic history. Acts i, 1-11 2 17 ■5 I i8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Pentecost. TheWeKina Among the first scenes of Luke's second work is the Company, co^p^jiy ^f disciples, in number about one hundred and twenty, gathered in "the upper chamber" in obedience and prayer. There should be noted the eleven apostles, the women who have attended Christ, his mother, and, as a new group in the circle of faith, "his brethren." At Matthias the suggestion of Peter, Matthias is chosen by lot to take the place of Judas. The incident shows that Christ left the details of organization in the church to his disciples, with a large measure of liberty. Acts i, 12-26. On the day of Pentecost the promised advent of the Holy Spirit occurred. This being one of the three great Jewish festivals, there cam^ to Jerusalem Jews and prose- lytes "from every nation auder heaven." It fell on the fiftieth day after the day of sheaf -waving, following Pass- over Sabbath,* and was a thanksgiving for the gathering of the harvest. According to tradition, it also commemo- rated the giving of the law. It was, therefore, a most fitting time for the gathering of a better harvest, and for the writing upon the hearts of thousands of a new and higher law. The Spirit revealed himself among the Christian company in their place of assembly, to the ear, by "a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting ; " and to the eye> by " tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with tha Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts ii, 1— t. "And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, . . . and they were all amazed . . . But others mocking said. They are filled with new wine." But Peter, now prepared by the Spirit, stood forth and spoke to the multitude with such incisive and thrill- ing power, that three thousand were converted and bap- tized. Acts ii, 5-41. The People Amazed. Peter's Sermon. > Hast. Bib. Diet., Pentecost. M -^ The Church in Jerusalem. 19 Peter'8 sermon may be simply outlined us follows : Sermon 1 m Tx Outlined. 1. Thk Disciples ahb Defended against the Mookino Charge op Drunkenness. Acts ii, 14, 16. 2. Pentecost is the Fclpillment of the Prophecy of Joel. Joel ii, 28-32; Acts ii, 16-21. 8. jEsrs, Whom They had Crccified. God had Raised FROM THE Dead. Acts ii, 22-24. 4. Jisns' Resurrection had been Predicted by David AND HAD been WITNESSED BY THE DiSCIPLES. Psalm xvi, 8-11 ; Acts ii, 25-32. 6. Jesus, Exalted to God's Right Hand, has Sent THB Holy Spirit. Psalm ex, 1 ; Acts ii, 33-85. 6. Conclusion: Jesus is the Messiah and Lord op All. Acts ii, 36. In the study of the Acts, we must remember that Luke expects a great deal of his reader. He never pomts the moral for us, and rarely states the infer- ence he would have us make. STUDY I. -Second Day. Memory Verse, Acts i, 8. Read Acts i, l-ll. Luke, a physician and Gentile, perhaps of Philippi or Antioch, closely associated with St. Paul from ab.ut 50 A. D. to the close of the apostle's life, 18 the author of Acts, as well as the Gospel of Luke to which he here refers as the "former treatise," verse l' He addresses Theophilus, who is supposed to be a Roman official and a Christian. Bartlet 170, 410, 415; Rack- ham, xv-xxxvi. lor further statement regarding Acts see Study XXXL Ver. 8 contains both a great promise and a suggestion of the means and course of the develop- ment of the Church. 20 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STUDY I.-Third Day. Memory Verse, Acta i, 14. Road Acts i, 12-14. Perhaps upon no body of Chris- tiana have 80 groat interests ever depended as upon this waiting company. Tlie power of concerted and contin- ued prayer sliould be used more frequently by groups and companies of Christ's disciples. Sufirfireations for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Draw a very simple map of the Roman Empire, nnd place upon hm.a riuiiatinR from Jerusalem the several nam..* of Arts u, 9-11, to show the directions from which the p.-onles have come. For Mup, see Hurlbut, 98. ScRiPTURB GrxLiNi.-Preface. Acts i, 1. 2; Commi.^sion for witnessing, 3-8; Ascension, 9; Return promised, 10, 11 ; Meet- ing for prayer, 12, 14; Matthiaa chosen, 15-26; Advent of the Spirit, ii, 1-4; The people astonished, 5-13; The first sermon 14-88; The converts, 37-41. STUDY I.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts i, 24. Read Acts i, 14-20. This is the only instance of the lot being used in the Apostolic Church, and it comes between ascension and Pentecost, while the disciples are "orphans," John xiv, 18. There has been question of the divine choice of Matthias; but under the vivid light of the Spirit, we see him among "the eleven" other apostles who stood up with Peter when the new kingdom was inaugurated. Acts ii, 14. Thia should be conclusive as to God's approval. Paul's apostolate is of a different order from that of " the twelve," Acts vi, 2. (General References. Purves, sees. 1-36; Bartlet, pp. i-xliv, 1-15; McClymont 41-45; Stevens, 260-276; Ramsay, 19-28, 363-365 ; C H I 65- FaiTar (St. P.), 47-59; Hast. Bib. Diet., Acts of the Apostles! Luke the Evangelist. STUDY I.— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Acts ii, 4. Read Acts ii, 1-1.3. Augustine called Pentecost the " birthday " of the Holy Spirit. As Christ was existent The Church in Jerusalem. 21 before he became incarnate mul wan born at Hethh-luin 80 the Holy Spirit was existent and even present in the world before his definite advent at Pentecost. lie now came in a peculiar way to dwell within believers and to act as tlie divine representative in the Church on earth See "The Ministry of the Spirit," A. J. Gordon, chap- ter II. * Topics for Personal InveetiRatlon and for Aaslffnment in Class- work. 1. The doscnt and dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Matt lu. 11; John xvi, 7: Acts i, 5; ii, 1-1, 16-18,33; xi, 15, 16 2 Jerusalem, and its relation to the drvelopment of th. Apostohc Churchy C.H.,I.W^; Matheson, 9. 10, 81. 82, 116; Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 421. ' 886-39of H^^s^'KirC;" "' ""'"'''■ '"''"'''' ^-2«' =»^210. Bartlet^lO. hTTc.': ts" ""' ^'"'" '""''^ '" ^'^ '''^'''■ ■■ a!;,^''un^T?^ ^^^ countries and the people named in Acts n, 9-11. Bib. Diet. ; Cam. Bib., 17-19 ; Rackham, 22-M „ .^ The Jews, Bartlet.xxi-xxxi; C. H., 1, 4-7, 16-19 ; Stalker, .3-,5; Farrar (St. P.), 65, 76; Bib. Diet. 4q. n ^J"T:^I^Z''[^''^'''*'''^''^'''''''- C.H.,I,18,lfi; liamsay. 43; Git's "The Early Church," 5. 8. Tiie nature of the speaking with other tonRues, Acts ii 4 Purves, 8o,c8. 33, 34; Burtlet, 11-14; Rackham, 19-21. STUDY I.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Acts ii, 21. Read Acts ii, 14-41. Xotioe that Peter's sermon perhaps the most elfective one ever preached, honors three things: The Scriptures, Chri.st, and the Holy .Spirit. The Spirit can always use the written and the living Word in preparing men for the kingdom of God. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What two books did Luke write ? 2. To whom does he dedicate or address br .h writings ? 3. Cliiefly by what means is the kingdom of God to be ex- tended ? 22 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 4. Where wag the work to begin ? 8. What was to be its limit? te^ttdj" '""" ''■''^' """ *''* """'"^ °' '"^^ "°'y spwt »«"«- 7 What terms are used by Joel to show the range of per- sons m whom the woricings of the Spirit will be seen? ^ 8. « hat is meant by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts Are tlev ^r""''"*^. '"' f'' "' ^'^^ ""'^ Spirit' Acts i .^^ STUDY I.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Acts ii, 88. Personal Thought. ''To you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afur off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." Acts ii, 39. Is there any limit to this promise ? Am I conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life? Do I work with a rower which cannot bo explained on human grounds or am I powerless to accomplish spiritual re- sul 8. Can a spiritual work be done apart from the Holy Spirit? Have I received him? Read Zech. iv, 6. liii w PART I.— SECOND WEEK. THE PRIMITIVE LIFE AND FELLOWSUIP. STUDY n.-Flr8t Day. Memory Verse, Acts li, 42. A8 a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, there Oe (New appears as a fresh creation the primitive life and follow- c^»»oa. ship, pictured in the early chapters of Acts, where it alternates with accounts of the first currents of opposi- tion to the new faith. The former will bo presented in this Study, and the laUtr will be reserved until the next That which is most noticeable at the birth of the The Bond of Apostolic Church is an intense religious love and joy '■«»''«• This love was not a natural impulse, but had within it a new and exalted sense of the worth of human life as partaking in the life of God. Every soul is redeemed by the blood of Christ, and all who possess true faith are bound to Christ, who had lived in divine sympatliy and lowly service among men, and in devotion to him was found the bond of brotherhood. Thus primitive Christianity arose directly from the life and death of Christ, and was simply Christ living again in every be- liever through the Spirit. The primitive Christians were still Jews, " continuing Wmitive steadfastly with one accord in the temple," ... re- ''e"o»*»hip. taining their membership in the synagogues, "and having favor with all the people." Acts ii, -16, 47; vi, 9. But while this is true, we discern at once a new element of their life, which finds its expression in complete fellow- ship, unity, and joy. " The multitude of them that be- lieved were of one heart and soul. . . . And they con- tinued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellow- ship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers, . . . They took their food with gladness and singleness of heart " 23 ti 24 Studies in the Apostolic Church. were ll '"""^fT^ «' good"- "AH th«t believed were together, «„d hud all thingH commo,. , and bo d the r poH.e8H.on8 and goodn, and parted them to a 1 mor/rh"''"""!"'"^^^ • • neither a tho among ^them any that lacked." Act« ii, 4-.. 44-40; aftefit M"'' ""'f '''''''^^ spontaneous and free, and after ,t had served its purpose as an objoct-les^on i pas.rd away as r,uiotly and without direction aVtrmo' A more permanent .ign of unity was the holy suXr fogether. "' ''^ "^"'^^' "^ "'« ^^^^ ^' ^ -"i -«-\,owIr\f J:;l^ "Vptfj'"' ^^- '"^^'> - .iven the 1 miracjes. i-ear came unon every aoul- and i eter, with John, fastening liis eyes upon the la.ne man at the temple gate, said, ..Look on us '^. . . Si ^r " nd gold have I none ; but what I have, that give Uhee Jn the „H„,e of Jesus Christ of Xazareth,%alk. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk- and b« entered with them into the temple wa"kL ani 1^ and praisine Ood a 11 \^^^.'''S, "»J leaping, »!,; k , • • • All men glorified God for that Zt wefe ttw r' '^'"""^ "'" '"'"• »"'" "■"■' v. 15, IC. ' • '"■ ^-"i "'- 21, 23) °"~"-— 'ii" "'='"' "™r.^':: f%"^'* ; f Sf'S*:- . }^\' The Church in Jerusalem. y steady md rapia progress. "The Lord added to them day by day tho.e that were «avod. . . . Many of them that heard the wonl believed; and the number of th- men came to be about five thousand. . . . An.I be hevcrs were the more ad.led to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. . . . And the word of God iucrea8e""" \Wa fi and and i. 4,7" '7 "'"'"'^^ ""^ »''^'"»«- fear as weul^l:: 'chr^:i:;:'"'V'r:J^ : ^""^" ^«^ Acts of the term "churcV' ::;.'n. ' '' '"* "" ''^ S«*»estlonB for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Outlinp thp northaMfprn shoreg of th« m .^-^ •nd the Liana „f Cyprug the rln!- , "•'d't^'-'-anean Sea the geven helperg. came. See Map 1 '' '^' '"* '^'"°«» "' ".^rrA" ?s:;:ht foi^r^for ^r-^^- ^«^ Iv. B2-Z7; VI, 1: Itg power ownrt ^ '^' "'**-*«= "'-l! V.12-ie; Itggrowth.ir47v.%Hv '"•''' '"' ^-W Seven helperg chogen.viB'. 6 ' "^'^""^ P^^'-hed- v, l-U j STUDY n.-Pourth Day. Memory Verge. Actg vi 7 the^ it beX:' tTnl'rTderlt'^' '"'*"^^' "^« Church. It is remarkablv f" 11 of ILu '''"'"^ "^ *^« Of points, and will reply ^^^ cl rSSr ^'^ '''''' The Church in Jerusalem. 27 I Oeneral ReferenoM. STUDY II.-Pifth Day. Memory Vor.6, AcU iii. 6. K.-U.1 Acts iii, I-IO. The readings now turn to tho nuran.louH power given to the HpoHtles. of whioli tho iH-ahng of the lame man is a carefully ik-scribe.! oxampU.. '^^''o Ww^oT"' '"^""'•""'^ '^^^ f^r A«l»nment In r The unity of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. xii. 13; 2Cor xiii U ; Kom. viii, 6 ; Phil, ii, I-4 ; E,.h. iv, 8. 4. ' 2. Thi. Apctl.'*, nature of th.-ir ol!i.M, and Huthoritv 8. The community of good.; itg source, how far meant to be continued. Purveg, aec. 88. obJrvaTl'.e «^h'i ^"'•^.'= I'«'>"«'>°y' ''»»«. Pla'--'. manner of onserxnnce, at this period. Bartlet, 466-471 Bib.'^Dilt*'^ ^'""^''' '"'** **''' ^''*""'"' «»»«• H-okham, 46. 47; .... '!;..'^''?,^'!"''°'V **'•'' "*«»"d">eanin« of the term. Purves. sec. K)U; Martlet, 18. 28, 29, 469, 460. but, ng^^** ^"'""'^ "' ^^^'"*' ^- "•• ^' ^^^^^- ''^^"P- """- Bib. Dift'!'""*'""' ^*"" ^^*- ^■^' '^^■^^' ^^'' ^«2' 18»-1»6: 9. The exact office of the seven men chosen. Hast. Bib Diet., Deacon. "wi,. oiu. STUDY Il.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Acts v, 14. Read Acts V. 12-16. The more general statement aa to miracle-working is here given, with notice of its exten- siou to cases brought from towns outside of Jerusalem. Questions for Written Answers. »i.WK^'*'**-"P.''^'''°"' *''°^' ^^^^ ^'^^^ '^as "^t fl^^t no breaic with the national worship? 2. What phrase probably means the Lord's Supper? I'M 'K-.MJI^.'^.- 28 ^^^dic^jnthc Apostolic Church. 4. J^;hati8aLevite,Act8iv, 36? 6 G;vT™"'"*^y^'-^°-»" Jews, Acts vi 1? «Gne.ve.easonsforthesuccessoVtC;:nUiveChureh. STUDY n.-Seventh Bay. Me.or, Ve.e. Acts iv. 32. Personal Thought. acco'rd in tt^'Lt'lndTt"" ^^^^'^^^"^ ^^^ -^ took their food?! h Idn'' ? ''"''' ^* '^"'"^' ^^^^ praising God and J Ivini '•"? ''"^^^"^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^"^ the Lofd add d tt thel ;" Tf '^" ^^^^l^^^' ^^-^ Baved." Acts if, 40 "7 '^ ^ ^'^ '^^'^^^ ^^^^* ^'^^^^^ bro':r;^w:;;r:^irs;^-^^ of spirit one of the secrets of tJ " ""' '^"' "'"^>' :^.^*^^.%- 'i»gsirii£>3:^^:i;^ I ! I PART I.— THIRD WEEK. THE FIRST WAVES OF PERSECUTION. If A New Spirit- ual Force. STUDY in.-Pirst Day. Memory Verse, Acts v, 29. " I came not to send peace, but a sword. . they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. ' . Xew wine must be put into fresh wine-skins."' These s'ay- lugs of Christ revealed the certainty that the peaceful relations of the primitive Church with Judaism could not_ continue.' Though the disciples were Jewish in their adhesion to synagogue and temple and devotion to prayers, they were also fervent in preaching Jesus and the resurrection. At first they were borne with by the Jewish leaders, as forming merely one more sect, per- haps in common thought resembling the Essenes.' But soon a radical difference was manifest. These other Jewish religionists lived in the main quietly at a distance from Jerusalem, but the Christians lived in the capital Itself, and soon began to stir the city profoundly by pub- lic discourses and miracles. The first signs of friction came when Peter preached Sadducees the sermon recorded in Acts iii, 11-26, in Solomon's *1'T!''- porch, after the healing of the lame man, as given in '^'"*'"^»*' the last lesson. Very naturally the first note of alarm arose from the Sadducean national officeholders. "And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the cap- tain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow." Acts iv, 1-3. When they appeared before the Sanhedrin the next B.id Defense "^7' "^g rulers were astonished at their bold defense, ""*' •*«'«•»«• •"ReKlnnlntta of Christianity," G. P. Fisher, 4«B, 470. • Bartlet, 80. J2» 29 if Mimm, 30 .?f!!f!!i_^^jhe Apostolic Church. Prayer Meet- ing. Sadducees Again Jeal- «>"»• Srcond Arrest. WwHsee* •«» People AiXMiaed. since they recognized thuf th ignorant men and thl T T? " ""^"^^^ ""J ti-t they had been wUh t1su,'''"m '""^'"'^^^ '^^ ^^-'' "•as healed stood witli then, T" ^'^ '^''"^ "'"" ^^^'O i^I^rnent upon them . ^ l^^ "^^ ^^^ ^« visit pun- were discharged, lets i ^ ^ ^'^ ""''' threatened they -^Mh?a;t:.:~::;ir^^ '1 prayer meeting. God .nsw .1 , ., '"^'""^' ""^ ^^^^^ Pl-e was shaicen wh^'in " ' "'' ^T"'^^' ""^ " ^"e and they were all filled with tknT f '"^ ''^''^''' encouraged, they went on Hast. Bib. Diet., iV, on. J _ ,), i I ■ J ^.. 1^1 3f__Studi«Jn_the_Apostolic Church. -.i». the JL s SS::;;i;sr '■"' '^- preaching Thnro L u , °'^'^ missionary the rec d is.enuine 1 '' '^ '^"" ^^^^^^ ^^^^'^ discourses do notsav " ^''''^ ^^ ^^'' '^^«« ^«^'^ do contain ''"' "' ^'" ^^ ^'^^ ^^^^^^^^ -hich they See Purves, sees. 45-48; Adeney, 120-130 STm.Vm.-T^.B.,. Meinor,Ver.e.Act«iv.l3 and who ^e Ithe r f' !, T.?"'^™ '° '^^ S''^^^^^'^^^- ones who m^sl i tt i^pp^ef ^r.'T^^ '^^ ^'^'"^ boldness or courage . Ln K ''• ^""^^ ^^«° ^^'^ Jesus througrtLTspir \?rT.^:'3;'^ ^^^^^"^^ ^' Sugrerestions for Man "Work «,„/i a -s . ■«io.p worK and Scripture Outline and t::::i:t:^i^^-'zr'''' '- -' '• •^^--^'■•^ A8ia in Asia Minor. See Map i P'"^'""^' °^ Cilicia and ScKiPTURE Odtlink. -Peter's qp^on^ first opposition, Acts iii li-S fIT '"°"' ^"^'"^ ^« Muster. Stevens, 272" 273! ^'"^ ''' ""^ ^^ ^'« Queatlons for Written Answers. 2 Ztl '^*^«"!°'»«n'« porch, Acts iii, n? the s.v;;^::::;':;;^ jr ' - ^^^ ^«. i«. ^2. ror reviving ilj. iv. 6? P'-«°"nent members of the high-priestly faml 5. What principle is finely stated in V 29 - Personal Thought. and'laX^Urrjl?::?^"' ''^^"^"^ "^^ ^^e Lord, which would it be ? "^ '''' '^'^ "'^ ^^^« - ™y f-th, "Th«y climbed the steep ascent of heaven Through peril, toil, and pain: To f n'° """'^y ^"'^''^ be given To follow m their train." Bead Rev. vii, 14-17. ^^i^- ■■ JV,, m^ .*y.. uHP'.j^- "•■^:' J V' . ■.■:t:J I PART II. THE CHURCH SPKEADIMI THROUGH PAL- ESTINE AND ADJACENT PARTS OF ASIA, AND INSTRUCTED BY JA3IES. FOURTH WEEK. ™^ •^WM^/un'^''''^" KXPAXDING-IIEROD AGKIPPA I, AND HIS DEATH. BTXmY IV.-Firet Day. MemorT^er.., Act. viii. 4 The primitive Cfmich has already begun to re^nnnrl f^ ^ influeuces which will make it too br'oadTr tleTmt S^-ST Judaism. This movement of expansion had its first be- ginnings in the choice of the " seven men," Acts vi, 1-6 They all have Greek names, and "Nicolas, a pro elyte of Antioch," shows that the Church was ready to make one who was not a Jew an office-bearer. Stephen, by hi! grasp of the spiritual purpose of Christianity gav;a fu ! ther impulse in this direction, and the persecution which arose a ter his death scattered the Church, and carr ed the seeds of gospel truth over a wide field 18 still Juda c-that IS, composed of Jews and proselytes- o-'- bv PartTrT"'";^" •' '^ ^" '"""^ ^^« ^'""^ '^^vered by Part II. Second, it is steadily moving by constant hough gradual steps, toward Gentile inclufion, wh ch ^ tne goal to be reached.' In this and the next lesson the Judaic side of the Church life during the whole per od will be treated. Then, in Studies VI and VII, the pre- ZTuj VI' ^"'' ''''''''' development related^n ".irt III , will be given. "See Orr'8 " Early Church." 10, 17. 36 36 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Disciples Scattered Abroad. Phlllp-s Work at Samaria. Visit of Peter and John. Philip and the Ethiopian Ireasurer. Following Stepl.cn's death, -tluTO aro.o a preat nor- socufon a«ui„st tho Churel. wlii.', waa in Jorimlem ; Li 11.^ wore all Hcattere.l abroad th..,u«hout tl.o regions of Judea and Samaria, . . . and went about prea.-l.ing the wonl. And some "traveled as far as Ph.eni.i.r and Cyi.rns, and Antio.-h, speaking the word to none save ony to .lewH." Aets viii, 1, i; xi, 10. The general outlme ,s first given, and then par,i,,dar fields an.l workers are taken np. One (,f tlie seven, Philip, " went down to the citv of Nimarni, and i)ro(laimed unto them the Christ " 'ills mm.stry of the word ;vas accompanied by curing tho si.-k and the lame, and casting out "unclean spirits." Multi- iiides believe.!, "and there was much joy in that city." bimon,a famous sorcerer, gave his adhesion to Philip's preaching, and was baptized. Acts viii, 5-13 When the apostles at Jerusalem hear.l of this work of grace, they sent Peter and John, "who, when they wvre cc,me down, praye.l for them that they mi^ht receive the Holy Sp.nt . . . Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Si)irit." "Thev had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus." Simon sought to j.urchase the power of bestowing the Spirit but was sharply rebuked by Potcr, who used the words,' I see hat thou art in the gull of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity," ver. 23, which seem to show that Simon was not a true believer. After preaching the gos- pe to many villages of the Samaritans, the two apostles returned to Jerusalem. Acts viii, U-25 Philip was next directed to go toward the south, and on the road toward Gaza had the memorable interview with a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians." He was the queen s treasurer, probably a Jewish proselyte, and had been to .Jerusalem to worship, and, when joined by Philip was reading the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. He mv Spreading through Palestine. J/ guided to immt'diati' faith in ChriHt, baptized, "and went on liis way rejoicing." Philip's farther course was througli the coast cities from Azotus to ('iMarea, wliere he seems to have settled.. Acts viii, ^0— 4(»; xxi, 8. Peter did similar evangelizing work during this jwriod Peter at and in almost the same region as that last named, before •->"'«*"••"< he was led to preach to (ientiles. This was after the persecution by Saul had closed, and "the Church throughout all Judea, and Galilee, an 1 Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in tlie fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multi- plied." At Lydda Peter healed .Eneas, who was palsied, and many at that place and throughout Sharon "turned to the Lord." At Joppa he raised to life T', .itha or Dorcas, and there also "many believed on the Lord." Afterward Peter remained at Joppa for a time with Simon a tanner. Acts ix, 31-43. Toward the close of this period a second persecution Herod's Op- broke out against the Church in Jerusalem through »«>»'*'»»» ••hI Herod Agrippa I, who " killed James the brother of John " ' with a sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also." Through the prayers of the Church, Peter was delivered by an angel out of the prison; and soon after the king was smitten and die J in agony. "But the word of God grew and multiplied." Acts xii, 1-24. Luke's is the modest art that hides itself, and to appreciate his work we must contemplate it long and faithfully, as one scans an old masterpiece. STUDY rV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Acts viii, 8. Read Acts viii, 1, 4-25; xii, 19. Note the surprising promptness with which the Jewish Christians come into touch with the people of Samaria, in contrast with their distance from each other during Christ's ministry. The I £__Studie8 in the Apostolic Church. «T01>riV.-TmMO.,. „,.,„„,,.,.„...«. .,,,,3.. Kead Seta viii. 2({-4n ti.;. Htant oMieuee: ^'Thu Spirit nadio """" "V I'lHl'P ra..." Find many others. ^" " • ' ""^ Su^Eeatlona for Map Work and Soriptur, OutUne Cyprus, all to the nonhJkrf " n ?• ""' ''""'"'''"''• ^^"'"x^^. th.n,.«on. Another I'uldi^o eZ'';^ """" '''^' ""'»■" "' »«>uia De to trace the course of Philip ■•Bit of Petor^nd Joh^ ril'r"irir''"'5-^'= ''^•"""'- ti-ea-suror, viii. 26-39- PI „•.' '' """^ ^'"' Ethiopian Peter at Lydd'a and ioppa. i'x sSTp" ''"''*""• ^•■■■'■- ^^ Agrippal,xii.i-3i P^ter'a mnw. ' P«"^°"t"'n by Herod 4-I9a; Herod's vin tf,.r "^ ?'"''"* *"«* del.verance. xii of the'chureh. ix^ai ; xuX" ""' "'*''*'• '"' ^»^^ ' «--'I» STUDY IV.-Fourth Day. Me,„ory Ve- , 3 ,, 3, Peter. visit. B«t:t ^^'f :.r ^^ ^f^r movement a« yet was strictly a HebreC on;." ' ' ' General References. Purves, sees. 64-70 OR ao. d ^i .. -_ ?sfa«L,;:, «^ Spreading thro ugh Palestine. 39 over wl.ich he boro rule, by the addition throuKh the Kinperor tliuidius of Judea and Sanmriu, in 41 A. D., governed tiie game territory &s \m famous grandfather! It id in accord vi^ith hig known character, that, to please the ui.helieving Jews, he should persecute the Christians. This occurred near the close of his brief reign, over Ju.lca, of tliree years, and seems to have been confined to Jerusalem. Topics for Poraonal Inveatlgatlon and for Asslffnr-ent in Olass-work. 1. Th,. comfort of the Holy Spirit. Ps. li. 11. 12; Zech. iv, 6. 7 ; John iiv, 16, 17 ; Acts vii. 68. M ; ix. 31 ; Kev. i, 4 ; xiv. 18. 2. God's permisMon of persecution, and ita benefits. FarrarOt. P.), 05. 3. Philip. Bib. Diet. ; Purves, sees. 65-68. 4 Unclean spirits. Edersheim, " Life of .Tesus " I 47B- 486,607-616. ' ' "^ 6. Oriental magic and sorcery at this time. Purves, sec. 66 • RamsHy, 77-81; C. H., I, 145-149. 6. Phci-nicia. Hih. Diet. 7. Ethiopia. Ilast. Bib. Diet. 8. Ca>sarea. 0. H., II. 279- --• Rackham, 148, 461. H L 6''*'''^ Agf'PI'a I- Farrai it. P.), 174-181; Hist. Geo. STUDY IV.-Slxth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xii, 23. Read Acts xii, 18-23. The death of Herod Agrippa I, after the Passover, in the year 44 A. D., is the moat certaij date in Apontolic Church history, and one upon which praf^tically all scholars agree. Purves, p. 315 ; C. H., I, 11-3; Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 416, 45>4, ; Moffatt, 84, 97*; Ueizsackor, "The Apostolic Age," I, 77. Questions for Written Answers. 1. Why were ths Samaritans reached by Jewish Chriatiang so etsily and so early ? 2. Why was not the Holy Spirit given to the Samaritan converts at once ? 3. What agencies for extending th- kingdom of God do yoa find m Act* viii, 26-40 ? 40 Studies in the Apostolic Church. * l>id thf Spirit "catch iwitv" Pi.iii manner, viii. 39? ^ """«' '" » niiraeuloui 6 In which of the earlv w<.rk..«i i. .1 prominent ? ^ work-m i« the ,K.wer to heal mo»t « ^Vhat " Jam..*" i, meant in Acu xii, 17? STUDY HA-Seventh Day. Men,,., V...., Act. xii. 2,. Personal Thought. Muy not many of the thinga which seom to me to h.. hard« , ,r which Beam to be subversive of hriu .nvU / v^'^ "' P'"^P''"°^ '- '^^ harvest? Couh ^ny greater bleasing have come to the early Church tha the persecutions which purified it and were tie means extending ,t throughout the world ? Bead 1 Peter i, 6-8. ■'. •/ PART U. -FIFTH WEEK. JAMES, TIIK LORD'S lUiOTHKU. aVD Ills HKAIiC IlIX,; LKTTKR. ST^DY V. Fim Day. Mo. y V....... ,...„.., .^ . H h..on.eH the ourli. st writing i,. „.e NVu- IVstu .ie,. Although Janu. un.l ,ho othor« narno.l i„ Mark 3' JoHt'8. Judas, aiul .s;,..,... . . , . "^'* ^'' <*• JoHcs, Judas, and Sin.on wore doubtless ow„ "Others of .».'8U8, growing up togcthcT with him i>. rl, 1 XazjirpUi th.. r- 1 . '" ''"' homo at .Nazareth, the (.ospels show that thev .11.) nnt 1 r ;;ima«ti.>re.iah tin after h.r:::;;r:!:;l:irn rhaps (.hr,Ht',s appoaran,.e to .James which eon .r:,' h.m .I..hnvn,5; 1 (W. xv, 7; Aets ., J j * tie IS hrst mentioned in \p(8 ifti.r t», 1 .u , r the son of Zehedee and IWr'« ^ 1 ' '"'^ "^-^"'""^ ''°"*^" •» ^t 'tsutL ana i eter s deliverance out .)f nris,>i, ^^e Earty a^ reeounted ,n the last lesson. The cireun, r ' ^""'"^ thnf 1... ,., , I . ""^Toumstances show :bo5o'U'T:;;°;.:irr'r' "'■'"'' ■• ""^ "-° - Studies IX and XIX. Tradition says that James wiia a ^iUiinte, and, though a Christian, retained a remark- able reputation with all the Jews for sanctity and devo- tion to prayer; that ho never left Jerusalem, but died there as a martyr, in the year 62 or 63 A. D., through the opposition of the last of the high-priestlv sons of Annas or Ilanan. areat interest attaches to the character of James be- cause of his relation with the Lord Jesus. Says Mayer: "The constant intercourse with Him who was full of grace and truth in childhood as in manhood, must have i)re- pared James to find in the Ten Commandments no mere outward regulations, but an inner law of liberty and love ^itten in the heart. That deep interest in the mysteries of the kingdom, that earnest search after truth which led the child Jesus to remain behind in the temple, must surely have had its effect upon his brother." It is notice- able how fond both James and Jude are of figures of speech, as was Jesus, and in the Epistle of James thtre are more echoes of the words of Christ than can be traced through the whole range of the other New Testa- ment epistles. Especially can we see in it the reflection of the thoughts of the Sermon on the Mount. "We feel Lofty Mo,.i ^^""^r^^ ^""^ ^'' ^^"^ *''''''" ""'' ^'' ^'''^ ^'""^her as he writes." Standard. ^ ^''*' '« ^^^o impressed with the lofty moral ideal of James. All that is best in Judaism seems to find a voice m him. Now he speaks with the tone of Moses the law- giver; again we might fancy we were in the presence of one of the Hebrew prophets, like Elijah, Isaiah, or Micah ; and anon are heard the quiet strains of the wisdom books of the Old Testament. ^"hTLTt.^,. According to Bartlet, "We have an excellent situa- tion for the Epistle of James, if we imagine it sent forth with believing Jews as they returned from the Passover Spreading through Palestine. 43 any time between 44 and 49 A. D. . . . The constant flow of pilgrims to Jerusalem, especially to the great feasts, would make him familiar with the actual condi- tions of life and the besetting sins of his brethren of the Dispersion; and there would be sufficient similarity of conditions in Jewish communities everywiiere to make his own experience in Palestine a fair point of departure." The epistle is extromely practical and searching. It QuaBties ami does not follow a logical order, but takes up theme after we'all."" theme, and goes directly to the heart of each new topic, treating it in the plaineyt and most straightforward man- ner, and then enforcing it with vivid phrases, rapid questions, and graphic comparisons. The style haa been compared to that of a fiery prophetic oration rather than that of a letter. Among its leading ideas are temptation and the course of sin which starts in the desires and the will and ends in spiritual death; the evil world as set over against God as the Father of lights ; pure religion, practical goodness, wisdom, patience, humility, purity; the control of the tongue ; the rebuke of pride, boasting, sensuous pleasures, injustice; confession of sin, prayer, and efforts to save the wayward. Among its most cele- brated contrasts is that between hearing and doing, and between a faith that is a mere profession and a genuine faith shown by good works. James i, 22-25; ii, 14-26. Read the epistle through at a sitting and note your first impressions. For those who are familiar with a Pauline epistle it would be wise to note down the contrasts between James and Paul, both in content and style. STUDY v.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Jamea i, 25. Read James i. Though Christ is directly alluded to only twice in the epistle, i, 1; ii, 1, note that James at the outset makes him coequal with God in honor and ■il * 44 Studies in the Apos tolic Church. terms himself a - bondservant " of both Those to whnm llTTl r"""^^ ^''^"«^^- ^-«. butt betid hem he doubtU^ss has In mind the whole of unconverted phni. '''' '' '"^' ^''' ^^'"^ "^ ^^-"h7-d ST^DY V.-Third Day. Memory Ver«e. James ii. 26 Read James ii. The primitive Church conditions are be noted .n the fact that the place of assembly of Chri tians 18 still called a "svnaffotrnp " ,•; o « i ! . all writers now hold that2eT;;:;u>;ia.rf"r^^^^^^^^^ writings contr^t'o ihi's po^i^ '[ ^^^.^^n CS^^ dares that men are not saved by 'works,' he meL« that they are not saved by deeds of obedien e to tTe Mosaic aw considered as so inherently meritorious tha hey can found a claim to salvation. . . There is nnf 7 i^ theEpi^^leofJameswhichisintheltri;:^^^^^ th.8 doctrine." Stevens, 291. The key to the harmony of the two IS this: James uses the terms -faithr.rf from works" and "works" in a differenrsense from'the meaning of the terms "faith" and -works" with Pan,! Susrsreations for Map Work and Scripture OutUne See W ''iXVf'*^ °' *'^ ''^^"'''" °^ "^-^ ^' ^^- time. fastnt^TTl^'T""^'"'""*^' ^^"^'^ '■• 1 ; Trials and stead- lastness, I, 2-18; Hearing and doinjt i 19-27. »«=„„-*. sons, ii. 1-13; Faith and works ii S rnn,:. f T.! °' P"" iii U^'>■ Wi=^ "' "' ^* ■^ ; '-'Ontrol of the toneue i«, 112, Wisdom, peace, and humility, iii I3_iv 17. AT Bion, judgment, and patience, v 1-12- C'v I ' .^PP''««- soul-winning, v, 13-10 ^"' "'^"'ession, and STUDY V.-Fourth Day. Memory Verse, James iii, 2 Read James iii. One of the most practical points in the whole scope of the religious life is here deaft with- unon fh r "' '\' P^^^^ '' ^P^^^^- ^^' Christ impose upon the tongue the law spoken of in Prov. xxxi 2" v^'^^.^^ora;^^^? :^-m Spreading through Palestine. 45 General References. Purves. sees. 133-148; Bartlot, 217-250. 279,489; McCIt- r";^L?:'''j ''"""' '''-'''' ^^«--'»-'- ^-•- <^- ^>l tV ^'\ S"''- ^'^- ^'■°*- •'^"''' »•'« fi^«'her of the L;rd 1 lie Gi'iiernl tpisth- of James. 3TUDY V.-Pifth Day. Memory Verse, James iv, 3. Koad James iv. Note that the writer gives in verse 3 a reason why many prayers are not answered. " Nothing so smirches with the world's spotting as selfishness, which lies at the root of the love of money." Bartlet, 237. Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Olass-work. T ^■- '^'- /♦'^■eJation, knowledge, wisdom of the Holy Spirit •'1^1' lu^". 'i' '^^'' ^''' ''' 3- ^= J^'"^^ •". 17; 1 Cor.' ."'.tot'. ?'•'■"'.' ^^i ITim.iv.l; 1 Peter, i, 11, 12; 2 Peter 1.19-21; Rev. Ill, 1; iv, 1, 2, 5; v, 6. 2. Author and date of the epistle. Bartlet, 227-233 • Hast Bib. Diet., The General Epistle of James. 3. Points in which the epist' . shows teachings parallel with the Gospels. Hast. Bib. Diet., same art. ; Adeney, 134 136 4. Reasons why James so slightly introduces Christian doc- o«!foL '"""''''*• ^"''^^"' ««°«- ^^' ^^' Farrar(E. D.), n J' f'^^'Ch organization as an outgrowth from the synagogue. Bib Dict^i,'I^l,«r' ""•'''•'''' Dods,192,193; Hast. 400 to^^^'"'^ ^'*' *^^ ''°^' '^*""^' ^' ^^^^'' ^"™'' ^^- ^•>- 7. The ancient uses of oil. Bib. Diet., Anointing and Oil. STUDY V.-Sixth Day. Memory Vei-se, James v, 16. Tlt'-M James v. Could there be an evil more needing correction in our own day than that which James con- demns in iv, 13-v, 6, undue devotion to worldlv busi- ness, going to the length of the oppression of the poor by the rich ? 46 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Questiona for Written Answers. 1. According to James, where does temptation to evil oriir- inate? ° 2. What is meant by " the law of liberty," i, 25? 3. How may ii, 10 be explained? 4. Give James's idea of " faith apart from works," ii, 18, 20, 26; and then of "faith made perfect" by works, ii, 22. 6. How do Paul's " works," Rom. iii, 28, differ from those of James ii, 24? Are the first " for life," and therefore rejected, and the second "from life," and therefore acceptable? 6. Are the " rich," of James v, 1, to be regarded among the believing or the unbelieving Jews? STUDY v.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, James v, 20. Personal Thought. But the tongue can no man tame." James iii, 8. Is my tongue an «' unruly member ? " Have 1 ever realized the incongruity of blessing God and cursing men with the same tongue ? Are bitter words ever worthy of a Christian? Is not unkind criticism of others more hurtful to me than to them ? Read James iii. PART n.— SIXTH WEEK. THE PREPARATION OF PAUL. STUDY VI.— First Day. Memory Verse, Phil, iii, 7. Having in the last two Studies followed the Jewish Preparation side of early Church development till about the year 44 ** **""'• A. D., the course now turns back and rapidly traces the beginning of the activities that were destined to reach the Gentile world. The new line of study naturally begins with the prep- Birth and aration of the Apostle Paul. The great apostle was a ^"'"^ •-"«• native of Tarsus, tlie free, capital city of Cilicia, on the river Cydnus. Tlie family may have been settled there as a part of a Jewish colony, under one of the Syrian kings, with the gift of municipal citizenship. How Paul's Roman citizenship was obtained is not known, but by descent he was both a Tarsian and a Roman citizen.* Acts xxi, 39; xxii, 25-29. It is probable that he was born about 3 A. D.' He was a Hebrew sprung from Hebrews, his training was strictly Jewish, his settled ad- herence was given to the Pharisees, and the temper of his mind and style of thought became and remained rabbinic. The large Graeco-Roman city of his birth and early years, with its political and educational renown, its commerce and commingling of peoples, profoundly influenced him. Probably at Tarsus he inherited with his Roman citizen- sliip the name Paul, Saul being his Jewish name. His boyhood in the city added to his command of Hebrew a ready use of the Greek of the Levantine shores. The life of the city colored all his mental imagery with the associ- ations of men and towns, rather than those of nature. Its mm ' Ramsay, 80-82. « Farrar, 8. 47 msfF. r^ssr 48 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Education at Jeniaaiem. Struoole after Rlght- eousnesa. Zeal as a Per- •ecutor. Conversion. oratorical schools probably did much to form his modes of exproasion as a speaker and writer,' and its industries dowered him with his trade of tent-making. The en- vironment of young Saul at Tarsus and his Roman citi- zenship made him cosmopolitan, gave him his grasp of the elements of Roman law and government, the largo outlook on affairs, the courtesy, dignity and confidettce, by which the Jewish scholar was at the same time the Koman gentleman. All the circumstances would indicate that Paul's family was one of wealth. Probably at the age of twelve he was sent to Jerusalem, and there began his more special education as a Jewish teacher or theologian under the eminent Rabban Gamaliel. Yet it is not likely that he was at the capital at the time of the visits of Christ or the crucifixion. Possessing a nature of almost unparalleled depth and intensity, Saul no sooner gained a knowledge of religious principles than he carried them out to their logical con- clusions, and sought to transmute truth and duty into ife His profound struggle after righteousness through the law IS depicted in the seventh chapter of Romans, and constituted a negative preparation, not only for his con- version but also for the part he was to take in estab- ishing the sufficiency of the Gospel and faith over against the law and works.' The part which the young man Saul took in the trial and death of Stephen, and his prominence in opposing the Christian movement, prove his remarkable capacity for eadership, and his desperate zeal as a persecutor proclaims his clear grasp of the fact that Christianity meant the total overthrow of Jew^^h legalism • It also shows that he had not found peaco .or inward victory His conversion marks one of the great epochs of the Christian faith. Perhaps no one event after the cruel! Early 'Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, «W. Church," IT. •Matheson, UO-1S4. 'Orr't ' '^^^L'jI^: spreading through Palestine. 49 fixion and Pentecost bus evor meant so much to the ^•hnstiiin world. There are things about it that still are mysteries. What led to it ? Was it Stephen's last prayer? The heavenly light on the martyr's face ? The terrible inner struggle and sense of failure ? Meditation in the long nde to Damascus? A Hash-light picture through the Holy Spirit of the hateful fury that had filled his heart ? Probably it was all these, leading up to the rev- elation of the living Christ in his divine glory, saying, haul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ?" Acts ix, 4. He was "not disobedient unto the heavenly vision " or appearance of Christ and the call to service, but said " What shall I do, Lord ?" Acts xxvi, 19; xxii, 10. Not long after, at the word of Ananias, a devout disciple of Damascus, his sight was restored and he was baptized. The other steps of preparation must be rapidly passed L«rr ste.. over. At his conversion, God "revealed his Son" in "'»'«««'•• him Gal. i, 16. His Christian state and beliefs quickly *""" developed; but three years were spent in Arabia, Gal i 17, during which all that was involved in his new faith doubtless came into clear light. He preached in Damas- cus both before and after this Arabian sojourn, met Bar- nabas, Peter, and James at Jerusalem, and after a brief work there, went to Tarsus, and spent the next eight or ten years in Cilicia, probably in quiet labors in the syna- gogues m a ministry chiefly Judaic, such as was described in Study IV, Acts ix, 19-30; Gal. i, 18-24, though the beginnings of his Gentile service may also have consider- able place during this time. Ramsay, 46, 47, 62; Purves sec. 97. ' i-a ■ : ! i u In your subsequent study of the life, and es- pecially of the epistles, of Paul, keep in mind this question: If the Scriptures did not tell me that at the begmnmg of his career Paul received a very un- usual manifestation from the risen Christ, would 4 ' m 50 Studies in the Apostolic Church. not the facts of his subsequent life compel me to make that assumption ? STUDY VI.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxili, 8. Read Phil, iii, 4-7; Acts xxiii, 6-8. Note that the first passage sums up the points in which Paul might take pride as an orthodox Jew, and declares them of no worth compared with the knowledge of Christ. The second passage shows that the apostle's doctrinal views continued to be those of the Pharisees respecting the resurrection. STUDY VI.-ThIrd Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxvi, 9. ReadActsvi, 9; vii, 68; viii, 1, 3; ix, 1,2; xxvi, 9-11. In these brief passages may be traced Saul's course of opposition to the Christian Way. The start was probably in the synagogue of the Ciliciana and Asians at Jerusa- lem in debate with Stephen. Sufirsestlons for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Mark the usual course from Tarsus to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to Damascus. Hurlbut, 112-114. ScRiPTCRB Outline.— Saul's bitter opposition to the Chris- tian disciples. Acts viii, 3; ix, 1 ; he obtains letters to Damas- cus, 2; the Journey and the light from heaven, 3; Christ's manifestation and Saul's submission, 4-« ; the effect upon the men with him and Sau blindness, 7-9 ; the Lord's direction to Ananias, 10-18; his visit to Saul with assurance of acceptance and baptism, 17, 18 ; Saul strengthened, 19 ; preaches at Damas- cus and escapes from the city, 20-25; comes to Jerusalem and meets Christian leaders, 2ft-28 ; preaches and departs to Tarsus 29,80. STUDY VI.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Eom. vii, 18. Read Rom. vii, 1-24. Note that Paul here describes his struggle after righteousness apart from Christ. Adeney, 159; Bruce, 27-33. General References. Purves, sees. 71-97; Bartlet, 87-40; McClymont, 60, 61; Stevens, 827-337 ; Ramsay, 29-39, 46, 47, 188, 187 ; C. H. , 1, 1-107, Spreading through Palestine. 51 Stalker, »-76; Farrar (St. P.), 1-13«; Godet, 86-08; Bruce, 2»- 47; Findlay, Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 607-704. STUDY VI.-Plfth Day. Memory Verse, Acts ix, 16. Read Acts ix, 3-19. Bartlet observes, N. C. B., 217: "The narrative now doubles back to record a great turning-point for the gospel as a power in the Roman Empire, the converoion of the urch-persecutor Saul." Notice that ver. 13 has the tirst occurrence in Acts A the term "saints" for Christians, and ver. 15 the sig- nificant word " Gentiles." Topics for Personal Investlffatlon and for Assignment In Olass-work. 1. Disciples na agents of the Holy Spirit. John xx, 22,28; Actsiv,8; vi,6; ix, 15-22; xi,24,28; Kev. i,10; xvii,3; xxi, 10. 2. Tarsus and the province of Cilicia. C. H., I, 19-28 ; Bib Diet. ; Hurlbut, 118. 8. Roman Citizenship. Ramsay, 30, 81 ; C. H., I, 45, 16. 4. Tent-making. Farrar, 13, 14 ; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 699. 5. The Education of a Jewish Rabbi. 0. H., I, 66-62; Farrar, 23-35. 6. A study of Paul's conversion. Purves, sees. 77-90; Stalker, 88-48 ; Godet, 78-91 ; Bruce, 26-46, 7. Damascus. Bartlet, 37-39; C. H., I, 86-88; Bib. Diet.; Hist. Geo. H. L., 619, 620, 639-648. 8. The "Arabia" to which Paul reMred. Hist. Goo. H. L., 620; M-*'-"8on, 60-84. STUL Y VI.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Acts ix, 20. Real Acts ix, 20-30. Consider Paul's rapid growth in his a^^prehension of Christian truth. Luke does not give the i.rabian retirement, perhaps because it belonged to Paul's private life. Findlay, Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 703, would place it between verses 21 and 22. Questions for Written Answers. 1. Why did Paul learn a trade if he was to be a rabbi a. .* his father had wealth ? 2. How could so sincere a man be so violent a perse- .tor ■ nL 1 5« Studies in the Apostolic Church. .«. ?■ ^''.*' ^{••'"•'nt* of Pm.1'. e.,.,.rienc.. at hin oonT«rmon are round in all dcoply RPnuine oonveraionH.and what »'lein.-nU •rote out of th.- peculiar oirciim»tanci'B of th«< cam. ? 4. D008 the alwenre of thene peculiar cir,.um»Wnct.« from niitS"'""°" °' *'""^'""'"" '""■'*' '' ""y '«■• 'l'V'"« and buiht- 6. Was Paul's ; ubmiMBion to Chriit voluntary ? 8. Into what part of Arabia is it probable tliat he retired? STUDY Vl.-Seveuth Day. Jfeinory Vew.-. Oal. i, 24. Carefully review tho entire preparatioM of Paul from his birth till the close of his preliminary ministry in Cihcia. For a popular, accurate, am! lifelike story of this period of his life see " Paul of Tarsus," by Robert Bird, 1-178. Personal Thought. " Herein I also exercise myself to have n conscience void of offense toward God and men always." Acts xxiv,16. Is not this one of the secrets of Paul's power ? He was once very much in the wrong, and even consented to the death of the martyr Stephen; but he thought he was m the right. When he found out that he was in error he Old all within his p ?r to atone for it. Have I this atf xe of mind ? Am I honestly seeking to jcnow and do tl will of God ? Bead 1 John ii, 17. • isas,'; PART II.-SBVBNTH WBUK. FIRST GENTILE CONVERTS— iiXTIOCII A NEW CENTER. STUDY VII.— First Day. Memory Verne, Acts x, 3. The first ficntilos to come into the Apostolic Church, Pttw** without having previously received the rites of Judaism, '"^ ****** had tlie door opened to them by Peter, and not by Paul. Even though Paul might have evangelized Gentiles in Cilicia at an earlier date, the conditions were not such as to call attention to them as a test case. To Peter had been assigned by Christ the privilege of opening the new kingdom, both for the Jews and Gentiles. Matt, xvi, 18, 19. This ho did for the former on the day of Pentecost, and he now does it for the latter, as is related with such care in the tenth chapter of Acts. The prece- dent of Peter, the leading apostle of the twelve, under the immediate direction of the Holy Spirit, as first offi- cially baptizing and having fellowship with Gentile con- verts, would be of immense value to Paul in the difficult mission that lay before him as the apostle of the Gentiles. It should also bo noted by what gradual stages of TheOraduai advance the new field is entered. Peter is first shown as *«**•"«*• being so far free from Jewish rules and prejudice that he abides " many days in Joppa with one Simon a tan- ner," Acts ix, 43. Next, Cornelius, to whom Peter is to go, though from Italy, and by blood purely a Gentile, is " a devout man, and one that feared God with ail his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always," Acts x, 1,2. Ramsay, pp. 42, 43, shows that Cornelius thus belonged to " the God-fearing pros- elytes," or proselytes of the Gate, something quite differ- 68 .1 "■■a! ii-T7-:- ..-fTit^i: J 54 Studies in the Apostolic Church. ent from (Jontiles who hud «.uttTe(l into u<» relations with the Jewg, and says, concerning I'oter's action, " This ■tep, though an important one, mm only the first slugo in a long advance tliat was still to bo made." T'lis nmy also explain why th.' stop taken l)y Peter is by no means • - •-.«»..„- mJ'' "' ^^" "'"'■'^ 'i""-''^'"" «^ill' l''« Jewish ChriHtians. .ho- with ^^^ narrative of Acts relates how an angel appeared himcon. to Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian band or cohort •«'««* at C«sarea, and directed him to send for I'eter at .loppa. W'Mle the men were coming from Cornelius, I'eter had a iice-given vision, as he was in prayer upon the flat roof of Simon's house, which prepared him to go with ■em. Upon arrival at the house of Cornelius, I'eter preached to him and •' hi.s kinsmen and near friends," who had been called together, and " tlie Holy Spirit fe'll on all them that hoard the word. And they of the cir- cumcision were amazed, as many as camo with Peter, be- cause that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not bo bap- tized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we ? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts x, 17-18. Co«Sf*Ai '^^'^ "^'*" °^ *^'"^ remarkable occurrence soon reached , the apostlca and brethren of Judea, and when Peter returned to Jerusalem, " they that were of the circum- cision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter began and expounded the matter unto them in order," and concluded with these words, " If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we be- lieved on tlio Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, P' -r-rj*. .<^awp*tfl£Biaicwx'r'' ^navi^WS' Spreading through Palestine. ^^ Then to the GentiU-* uliio huth God gruiitcil repentance unto life." Acta xi, 1-18. There is next given the acconnt of u gaving work Otniiie work iitnong tne Geutileii of Antiuuh, the oupitul of Syria- ** *""~*^ Cilicitt, situated on tin- Orontes River, three hundreil mih'H north of Jeru«nlem. Here again the beginiiings of the movement may iiave anted:. ted the convoraion of L'or- neliuH, but its full import ni)w appoBrj, for it gm's beyond that example, bee luso those who are in no sonae pronelytes to Judaism have uow be-jomo converts. The .Jerusalem Church sent Rama ;a8 to inspect the work, and wlien it continued to enlurjfo, ho went to Tarsus and secured the help of Paul. "And it camo to pass, tliat even for a whole year they were fruiiorod together with the ('liurch, and taught much jnople; and that tiio disciples were called Christians tirst in Antioch." Later, during tho famine in the reign of Claudiufi, tho Aiitiochiun Church sent relief to their fellow disciples in .Judca by Harnabaa and Paul, who returned accompanied by John Mark. Acts xi, 19-30; xii, 2/). Antioch, a city of half a mil- lion people, after Rome and Alexandria the third in size in tho empire, now becomes Christianity's new center, the natural vantage point and gateway of the new faith in its progress toward Asia Minor and the West. A visit of Paul to Jerusalem, possibly coming within whcndidPaul this lesson, is that given in Gal. ii, 1-10. Hartlet, .52-00. »•»'» Je™sa- , ., . . , • •. * I) I 1 , ... . lem.and Peter regards this as a private visit of Paul before the famine, Antioch? that he may confer with the "pillar apostles " in view of the wonderful revelation ho has received, 2 Cor. xii, v'-.^, of (Jod's purpose concerning tlie Gentiles. Kamsay, 5, /)5-*;4, identifies it with the famine visit; while tho traditional vi<'W, presented by Purves, sees. 116, 148-164, makes it the more private side of the Jerusalem council recorded in Acts xv. Bartlet would also place the visit of Peter to Antioch, Gal. ii, ll-^l, after the famine visit and before the first missionary journey. I ^i^^S^^^^^^S^ 56 Studies in the Apostolic Church. It would be an excellent plan to study this lesson as would an artist employed to illustrate it Picture o yourselves the plain fisherman as he goes nto ini ^r'"' ^— " ^— tL^sr STUDY Vn.-Second Day. Memory Verse. Acts x. 15. Read Acts x, 1-23. As to the sound historic value of Luke's account, see N. C. B., 231. STUDY Vn.-Thlrd Day. Memory Ver«e, Acts x, 43. Eead Acts x. 24-48. Notice, ver. 23, that in a matter Verse 35 probably means that the Gentile of any nation «ght to hear the gospel unto salvation. Consider ver 44-46 as describing the Gentile Pentecost. Eackham, U2. Sufiffirestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. «.J.^*'.'' *!!^ *:*'"''*' '''°'" -^"PP* *° Cffsarea; also from Jern salem^ to Ant.och. and from Antioch to llrsus. H^'but Pete? AcTri^Tr-T^""'""''' ^'^•"" '^"'i messengers to meet Pete iV;. f.^'^^^'^'^'^"; ^16 : Messengers arrive and meet j^eter. 17-22; He and certain brethren go with them 2-i- Arrival atC^esarea and interVev. with Cornelius, 24-33 pTt'e'l" sermon, 34^3; the Gentile Pentecost 44-4«. LZ ' / verts and fellowshin 47 4fi. »„?,"' ^*I'*'sm of con- ro.,»-i , .""7 ^"'P' 47,48; Peter's action approved, xi 1-18- and workTorH'\^"'""t'' ''''''■''^ Barnabas's ^.U^: T^ZtVL I '" ^"' f.-om Tarsus, and they labor 27-30 ; Delegates return with John Mark, xii, 25. STUDY VII.-Pourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xi, 18. Read Acts xi, l-l,s. Note that the great diflFerence which IS to agitate the Apostolic Church for years here emerges-the relations of Jewish and Gentile Christians Spreading through Palestine. ^j as affected by circumcision. In verse 18 the whole case for Gentiles seems to be conceded, but it is probable that by many this was regarded as a special instance, and not as establishing a general principle. General References. Purves, sees. 104-106, 108-116; Bartlet, 41H50; MeClymont. 51 ; btovens, 331. 332 ; Ramsay, 40-64 ; 0. H.. 1, 108-129 ; Stalker, 68-70; rarrar (St. P.), 148-181; Godet, 96-100; Haat. Bib Dict.,IJI, 704, 763, 764. STUDY Vn.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xi, 24. Read Acts xi, 20-30; xii, 25. The beautifully free and effective spirit of the gospel can here be observed without qualification. "When the gospel entered Anti- och, it entered the full current of life in the Roman Empire." Bartlet. Topics for Personal Investitration and for Assignment In Class-work. ;. The Holy S7 rit preparing, instructing, and directing liia agents. Luke i, 15; John xiv,28; xvi, 13; Acts i, 16; iv, 25- vu,. 29, 89; x, 19; 1 Cor. vii, 40; Acts 11, 23; xxi 4 11 ' xxdii,25; Eph. vi,17. ».*. ii, ,.0 2- Cornelius and the office of centurion. Rackham, 147. 148; Ramsay, 42-44; Stifler, 83-95. i«> ^,nf' 1^" !" *^® ^'"■'^ Churches, Acts xi, 30. Purves, sees. 101,102; Bartlet, 51, 480-485. 4. Antioch. C. H., I, 121-128; Farrar (St, P.), 160-168- Matheson, 113-133. "^^oo, 5. The Roman province of Syria-Cilicia. Ramsay (C R E > 110; Bartlet, N. C. B., 243. 6. The first collection taken for the relief of the Churches and the growth of the practice. STUDY Vll.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Gal. ii, 2. Road Gal. ii, l-lQ. Perhaps no passage has given rise to more thought and study in arranging the right order r i| •'I f'*^" 58 Studies in the Apostolic Church. of events than has this with recent writers. See close of the Narrative, and seek to decide which view best agrees with all the facts. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What gave Ceesarea prominence at this time ? 2. Who are meant by " the people," Acts x, 2 ? 3. By what standai-d was the action stated in ver. 28 " un- lawful?" 4. Why did the Holy Spirit come upon Cornelius and his company before their baptism, ver. 44-48? 5. Can you see a reason why the men of Cyprus and Cyrene would be better fitted to begin the work at Antioch than Pal- estinian Christians ? 6. Who are included in the term " Greeks," xi, 20? 7. Why was it well for Barnabas and Paul to be the work- ers at Antioch? STUDY Vn.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Acts xi, 23. Carefully review Part II, and broadly grasp Parts I and II as a whole, as they form a preparation for the coming great period of expansion. Weigh, as chapter- names for Acts viii-xii, the following, entering them or your own choice of names in your notebook: 8. Philip; 9. Saul; 10. Cornelius; 11. Peter Approved ; 13. Herod. Personal Thought. " When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying. Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life." Acts xi, 18. What is my attitude toward men who are not of my way of thinking, or who are of another nationality ? Do I fully realize that the heathen in China or Africa have also been granted "repentance unto life," and that I am as much bound to give the gospel to them as were the early Christians to give the gospel unto the Gentiles ? Are there any Gentiles, so far as my life and conduct are concerned? Read 1 John iv, 19-21. PART III. THE CHURCH EXTENDED BY PAUL INTO ASIA MINOR. EIGHTH "WEEK. PAUL'S FIRST MISSIOXABY JOURNEY— CYPRUS AND GALATIA— RETURN TO ANTIOCH. 'm : .1 STUDY Vm.— First Day. Memory Verse, 2 Tim. iii, 11. The opening of this period in the Apostolic Church The Great receives large emphasis in Luke's record. With chapter ,,*^ Beguq! thirteen the Bc^k of Acts may be said to take a fresh start,' and the missionary enterprise of the Church shows new power. The Antiochian Church is seen to bo enriched by the gifts of the Spirit to its leaders, and of these five are named : ' ' Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster- brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said : Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Acts xiii, 1-3. Going down to Seleucia, the harbor of Antioch, they in Cyprus took ship for Cyprus, probably in the spring of 47 A. D." ^^^^'' The course from Seleucia to Salamis, the principal city Leader. of the island, was about one hundred miles southwest. Cyprus was the birthplace of Barnabas, had early received Jewish heralds of Christ after Stephen's death, and had furnished some of those who began the Gentile work at 1 Bamsay, 64. ar-Jesu8 or Elymas, who presently sought to turn the governor away from the faith. At this point a momentous step was taken by one of the missionaries. «' Saul who 18 also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fas'tened his eyes on the sorcerer, and declared the divine visita- tion of blindness, which at once came upon him. "Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed being astonished at the teaching of the Lord." Acts xiii' 4-12. "When Paul came thus forward under his new aspect and personality, he was inaugurating a new policy He was appealing direct, for the first time, to the Grsco- Roman world as himself a member of that world The historian fixes the moment precisely at the point where the apostles faced the Magian in the presence of the proconsul of Cyprus. Amid the conflict of the two religions before the Roman governor, Paul stepped for- ward in his character of citizen of the empire; and his act was followed by tlie transport of power, which attested the grace that was given to the bold innovator, and the divine approval and confirmation of his step." Ramsav 85, 8G. ^ x>.aiii8a}. Advance to .. ^ow Paul and his company set sail from Paphos South Gala- , '° ^^i^ijauy oet sitij irom i'aplios j,,„„ and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed itioch. from thom .-infl rofum^^^ +„ t i_. „ -,-. .* . tla and ~- """ '•■""<»- -- -.-^.i,!. lu xjniipiivna: an tr.atAnt.och. from them and returned to Jerusalem." It was this fart that caused Paul to refuse to take Mark on his second journey. Bartlet suggests that Paul may have planned to proceed directly to the cities in the Roman province of Asia, which lay along the western part of Asia Minor- and that he struck boldly north, over the Taurus Moun- = i L i'i Extended by Paul into Asia Minor. 6i tains to use the great road running westward. In this way he came to Pisidian Antioeh, which was the govern- ing center of the southern part of Gahitia, not intending to remain tliere and preach, but was detained by an attack of fever, the germs of which he had caught in the low-lying malarial district of Pamphylia. This may ex- plain his language in Gal. iv, 13 : " Ye know that because of an inlirniity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time." However this may be, as also the perils of rivers, robbers, and wilderness, 3 Cor. xi, 26, which some would place in this journey, his ministry in Antioeh is to be regarded as having great significance for all his future course.' By the jealousy and opposition of the Jews on the second Sabbath of his recorded work, he was led to turn decisively to the Gentiles. Their re- sponse assured him tJiat in a free ministry to them he truly fulfilled his divine vocation. "And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecu- tion against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders." Acts xiii, 1.3-52. From Antioeh the apostles went eastward to Iconium, iconium. Lys* doubtless concluding that the success already attained in o'r^""* Galatia called for their continuance in that province. "And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed." After some time spent here they wer igain compelled to flee, and passed south into another Gal.itic region, Lycaonia. At Lystra, Paul healed a cripple, which led the people to attempt to do sacrifice to them. But later, the Jews of Antioeh and Iconium were able to mislead the fickle mind of the Lystrian populace, and Paul was stoned and left outside the city for dead. "But as the disciples stood ro und about him, he rose up, and entered into the • Bartlet, en-Ti. HI ■ iwmmsmrrwsii'^^. 62 Studies in the Apostolic Chnrch. city: and on tlie morrow he went forth with BaruHbaa to Derbe." Acta xiv, 1-20, ^eiun. After successful evangelizing work at Derbe, the mis- • sionaries "returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, ami to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples." They •'appointed for them elders in every Church, . , , passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled." Acts xiv, 21-28. The student should not fail to sense the thrill of controlled but yet joyous enthusiasm that pervades this whole account. STUDY Vni.-SeoGnd Day. Memory Verse, Acts xiii, 2. Read Acts xiii, 1-3. Note how fully the Holy Spirit governs the early Church, and determines all steps of advance. " It is the most interesting crisis in the world's history. There is no more important chapter in the un- folding of human progress than the thirteenth and four- teenth chapters of Acts." H. W. Warren. STUDY Vm.-Thlrd Day. Memory Verse, Acts xiii, 12. Read Acts xiii, 4-12. It should be noted that ver. 6 means that the apostles made a missionary progress through the island— a distance of about one hundred miles from Salamis to Paphos. Suggreations for Map -Work and Scripture OutUne. The student should draw a very simple map of the north- eastern Mediterranean coast, Cyprus, and Asia Minor; put in the Provinces of Pamphylia and Galatia ; loe.-.i e the cities men- tioned, and draw the course of the first missionary journey. See Map 1, which indicates Professor Ramsay's outline of the Roman Province of Galatia at this time. Scripture Outline.— The Holy Spirit leading to th first missionary journey, Acts xiii, 1-4 ; Cyprus, Paul's advance step, the proconsul's faith, 5-12; Farther course to South Galatia ■Ti#«nv.:at Extended by Paul into Asia Minor. 63 13-15; Paul's sermon in the nynaROgue at Aiitioch, lft-41 ; Effects of the ,o8pel in the city and region, 42-62; Similar work at loonium and flight into Lycaonia, xiv, 1-7; Ministry at Lyitra and Derbe, 8-20; Return journey, 21-28. STUDY Vm.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xiii, 39. Read Acts xiii, 13-52. Study this first reported sermon of Paul very curefully, comparing it with Peter's early sermons and Steplien's defense, and noting any charac- teristic Pauline thought. Qeneral References. Purves, sees. 117-131; Bartlet, 64-81; McClymont, 61; StevtMis, 331, 332; Ramsay, 64-151; C. II., I, 131-202; Stalker, 76-85; Farrar (St. P.), 189-224; Findlay, Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 704, 705. STUDY Vin.— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xiv, 3. Read Acts xiv, 1-20. C:irefully mark the use of the word "region" in xiii, 49 and xiv, 7. It has here a specific meaning, and the first passage refers to Plirygian Galatia, the second to Lycaonian Galatia, each a regio of the great Galatian province. Paul's address at Lystra dis- plays marvelous adaptation. The view is held that Tim-' othy was won to Christ during this visit. C. H., I, 197, 198; Purves, sec. 128. Topics for Personal Investigratlon and for AssiRnment in Olass-work. 1. The evangelizing and missionary power of the Holy Spirit. Acts X, 38; Luke iv, 18-22; Matt, xiviii, 19, 20; Acts i, 2, 8; iv, 31; x,44; xiii, 2,4; 2Cor. iii, 3; vi, 4-10; Rom. xv, 18, 19; Heb. iii, 7; ix, 14; Rev. xxii, 17. 2. Asia Minor. Ramsay (C. R. E.), 1-168, with map, and his "Historical Greography of Asia Minor;" C. H., I, 2.35-249. 3. Proconsuls, especially of Cyprus. C. H., I, 142-145; Hast. Bib. Diet., Cyprus. 4. Paphos. C. H., I, 141, 142, 155-158; Farrar (St. P.), 196, 197. Bib. Diet. 5. The Roman pi-ovince of Galatia. Ramsay (C. R. E.), 13-15 and map; Hast. Bib. Diet. ; MacCoun, 11, 114. 6. Paul's sermon at Antioch. Purves, sees. 122-124 ; Stifler, 117-120, has excellent outline. 7. Position and influence of women in cities of Asia Minor. Ramsay, 102; N. C. B., Acts, 266. m. .M^warii ' — " — -~ — '' — -, ■«!— sm ^4 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STUDY Vni.-Slxth Day. Memory Ven,e. Actn xlv, 22 ioJu^yttT "I; ''"''• ^^" •'^ "''"'^ ^h''^ '"^ *he return journey the apostles wore probably favored by the fact of a change of magistrates, while their work wL now with the converts, and therefore less public. Questions for Written Answers. given i„"i:ts"it2t^' ''' ^*^« «°'^ «P-^t deliver the command 2. Why i8 John Mark not mentioned till in ver. 6? 3. What reasons might be given for his return to Jerusalem ? -u^k b^ trrL-tt^tr "^-'^^ -'- '^ -- '" in t^sii^m^rs^Ii.'"^*^''^ '-- indications given STUDY Vm.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse. Acts xiv. 27 tered'intr''' ''^'"^^'^'^^l^^-lvance in this lesson, regis- tered m the new name "Paul." Acts xiii, 9, and such phrj«es as "justified from all things, frL which ye 'Tha?He\Zd!'t?'' '""''r '' ^^'''" -"' '^ -^ Personal Thought. "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where- unto I have called them." Acts xiii, 2 The Church at Jerusalem, at the time of its greatest «pintual need, sent out two of its best men " JuS re^n ''anrthe"rh""\'"r'/'^^' '"^^ ^'"-^ ^^^ '-" " rcn and the Church at Antioch, located in one of the creates as well as wickedest cities of the Roman Empii^ feunt out Barnabas and Paul. ^ ' Have I been inclined to keep the best for myself and do I ever feel that th. .at need at home is a' ufficient reason why I should re. • to help send the gospel to the needy portions of the eann ? ^ Read Pro v. xi, 24. PART m.— NINTH WBBK. JERUSALEM COUXCII^IJEXTILE LIBERTY CONCEDED. STUDY IX.-Plrst Day. Memory Verse, Gal. ii, 20. Therw is general agreement by recent writers that The Tw«hv« the council at JeruBalem to be considered in this Study '^•^•we* was hold about 50 A. D.' For the twenty years interven- SJo ing between Pentecost and this date, the Book of Acts gives only a brief record in a particular line of develop- ment. It would be interesting to know of the work of the original twelve apostles during this period, but there re- mains only uncertain tradition. The most probable point stated about them is, that they did not separate for twelve years, .ecause Christ had directed them to stay for that length of time in Jerusalem,' Studies IV and V have shown that James, the Lord's brother, began to have principal oversight of the Jerusalem Church about 42 A. D. onward, which would be in accord with a view that the twelve apostles were now engaged in labors abroad. The only New Testament allusion to the presence of Disaai«e. any of the twelve outside of Palestine up to the time of "*"»• ■* this lesson is that contained in Gal. ii, 11-14: "When *"*^*'^ Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, be- cause he stood condemned. For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with the dissimulation. Bat when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said unto Cephas before them >FBrrBr(K. D.),65. ^ 08 i 66 Studies in the Apostolic Church. all, If thou, being a Jew, livest us do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" This episode was referred to at the close of the Narrative in Study VII, but it may better be placed here, since the issue raised finds its d'icision ut the Jorusalum council. Evidently Peter did not come to Antioch for the purpose of giving the Churcii omcml recognition, for that had been done at the earlier visit of Barnabas. And while Barnabas wavered for a moment in the face of a difficult problem, he at once took his place again beside Paul ; and doubtless Peter came back to his former ground of fellowship with the Gentile Christians, after he saw the case in the clear light of Paul's logic. Also the statement, "certain came from James," does not necessarily mean that James had commissioned them to bear instructions to the Antiochian Church, but per- haps to work among the Jews of Syria. They are prob- ably the same persons mentioned in Acts xv, 1-5.' "And certain men came down from Judea und taught the breth- ren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye can not be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the ttl^^^a^. ^^^^^'^*^^ appointed" the two named and certain others "to go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question." On the way they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, "declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto the brethren," At Jerusalem " they were received of the Church and the apostles and the elders," and again reported their work among the Gentiles. " Rut there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circum- cise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." Acts XV, 1-5. "And the apostles and the elders were gathered to- gether to consider of this matter. And when there had 'Turner, Hast. Bib. Diet., 1, 4S4. Extended by Paul into Asia Minor. 67 boeii much questioning, Peter rose up," Rud made a speech in favor of the complete freedom of the now convprta, culling attention to the testimony of God in tho case of Cornelius, and declaring that faith in Christ was the only condition of salv aion. "And all tho multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto IJarnabas and Paul rehearwing what »\fim and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them." Next James, who seems to have presided at the council, arose, and, after pointing out the indications of God's will both in recent events and in prophecy, submitted a proposition to be taken as the sense of the meeting, and it was embodied in tiie following action and letter. Acts xv, G-21. "Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to choose men out of their com- pany, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; ... and they wrote thus by them, The apostles an. I the elders, bretliren, unto the brethren who are of the Gen- tiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Foras- much as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with word-, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; ... it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these npcessary things: that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and trom things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well." Acts XV, 22-29. "So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the Epistle. And when they had read it,' they rejoiced for the consolation. And 'udas and Silas,' being themselves al ;«rophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that h.o«. 147-166 ; Bartlet, 60-68, 81-91 ; McClymont, 61 ; Ramaay, l«2-i75; C. 11., 1, 2 (islflrnment in Topics for Personal Investigc.'i u ut;o' *: Olass-work. 1. The liberty of the Holy I| ; t. :• . . .v. f: Acts xv,8; Gal. iv, 6. 7; v, 16-18; 2 Cor. i i; .'.f,,. ■■■..:. :■ I'eter iv, 12. 2. The time of tho diapers, o. o5 ' i. ij jostles, and their fields of labor. Purves, sees. ?'.). , ^i :_ >■ ; t r ( i . 1 1. ), 56, 57. 3. The occasion, comi>08ition, anJ . , r • ..■iv.ita of the first general Church council. HaiUet, 81-fil , .-^fitii-r, 128-146. 4. Some question.s left unsettled by the Jerusalem council. Farrar(St. P.), 244,245. 5. Was Luke a member of the council ? N. C. B., Acta, 274-282. 6. A study of the term "prophet," as appearing in Acts ii, 17; li, 27. 28; xiii, 1; xv. 32; xxi, 9, 10. Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 434,486,440; III. 127, 128. 7. Christianity's new standard of purity. Farrar (St. P.), 245-247; N. C. B., Acts, 278, 279. .i-^« th« L " *w ^K^°? »' ?'''"^ strangled " is not a sin, why did the council forbid it? See 1 Cor. viii, 13. - J « ru, ^\^^^P f*"' delivered the decrees of the council to the Churches of the Gentiles (see Study X), why did they begin at once to increase in number daily ? Sl-UDY IX.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Acta xv, 81. '^ »iew Part III, and determine your chapter-names for Acts xiii, xiv, xv, entering them in your note-book. Also read for vivid word-pictures, Bird, 179-233. Personal Thought. "He [Peter] ate with the Gentiles; but when they [certain who cime from James] came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circum- cision." Gal. ii, 12. Do I ever drift with the tide ? Am I prepared, when the testing time comes, to " stand fast" regardless of what men may think ? Peter, the " rock » of Pentecost, dis- sembled. Shall I not "watch and be sober," lest I also fail to be true to my convictions ? Read 1 Cor. xvi, 13. -iS;*^(Sillm'Mfi ritiffef >!a'r n PART IV. THE CHURCH EXTENDED BY PAUL INTO MACEDONIA AND GREECE— HIS FIRST SIX LETTERS. TENTH WRUK. PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY- CORINTH A NEW CENTER. STUDY X.— First Day. Memory Verse, Acts xv, 40. It was not long after the close of the last lesson Paul ami when Paul proposed to Barnabas that they visit the breth- O"'"""**' ren in the field of their first journey. But a difference sliu'ciwaciu arose about taking John Mark, and the two apostolic workers separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, and no account is given of his further career. " Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord." Acts xv, 36-41. Paul planned his second journey to extend through in Asia Minor. Asia Minor, and the Holy Spirit enlarged the mission to J^T'i'"' include Macedonia and Greece. Taking the overland Concordat route through northwestern Syria and Cilicia, probably in •'«"''«'«<*• the spring of 50 A. D.,' Paul and Silas stopped at Derbe a sliort time, and then passed on to Lystra, where they met young Timothy, the son of a Jewess, whose father was a Greek. " Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts." Acts xvi, 1-5. I Ramsay, 174. n ..J* y^ Studies in the Apostolic Church. S^Jmr^ct ^ .^^^'^f ^"ted the Churches established during the i.»i.c«io«.* first tour.« Paul and Silas planned to enter the Roman Province of Asia in Western Asia Minor, but the Holy bpint forbade their speaking there, and they were also re- strained by the " Spirit of Jesus " from entering Bithynia a .province to the north, "and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the mght: There was a man of Macedonia standing, be- seeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and iielp us. And when he had seen the vision, straightway MPi.m«.L ""' r^«* ^' f ^''*^ ^'^^^ Macedonia." Acts xvi" e-io! •*' , ^^« ?"t place in Europe at which the apostles paused to preach was Philippi, where there were but few Jews and these were without a synagogue. On the Sabbath- day they went out to the bank of the river where the people were accustomed to assemble for worship "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshiped God, heard us- whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul." It was also at Philippi that Pam cast an evil spirit out of a maiden " who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. . They laid hold on Paul and Silas," and brought them before the rulers or magistrates. The trial resulted in their being beaten with rods and cast into prison. About midnight, while the two servants of Christ "were Tiraying and sing- mg hymns to God, and the prisoners ^-ere listening to them," the prison was shaken, and the doors were mirac- ulously opened and their bands were loosed. Paul and Silas did not escape, but cried to the dismayed jailer, We are all here." Then the jailer asked, " What must I do to be saved ? And they said. Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house And he took them the same hour of the night, and vasheu their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, > The cour8e embodies the South Galatlan view. See Study XII. tv/^ --.K T. 1." Into Macedonia and Greece. 73 immediately." Learning they were Roman citizens, th« magistrates with fear besought them to depart. Acts xvi, 11-40. After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, AtThesw- the missionaries visited two other points in Macedonia— '"^'* •"'* Thessalonica and Berea. The usual jealousy of the Jews ""^ was aroused in the first-named city, and such disturbance kindled that Jason and other brethren were brought be- fore the rulers and required to give security. Paul and his helpers were thereupon sent by night to Berea, where their ministry met with a jiost favorable reception, till the Thessalonian Jews came and stirred up fresh trouble. Paul was now sent to Athens by boat, and Silas and Tim- othy soon followed him.* Acts xvii, 1-15. The Athens of Paul's day was not that of the time of At Athens, Socrates, but it was even then the center of the world's ed- ucation, where philosophers regularly taught in lecture- room and university.' On Mars' Hill, probably at the point where the court of the Areopagus met, the apostle gave to the Athenians a sermon of marvelous philosoph- ical insight and rhetorical strength, " Certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." Acts xvii, 16-34. From Athens, Paul went to Corinth, the capital of At Corinth. Achaia. Here he met a Jew, Aquila, and his wife Pri~- cilla. The three became fast friends, and worked to- gether at their common trade of tent-making, while Paul " reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews .ad Greeks." After the coming of Silas and Tim- othy, he "was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ." He was now compelled to leave the synagogue, but continued his work in the house of Titus Justus near by. "And Crispus, the ruler of the I Ramsay, 282 284, 240 241 ; N. C. B., Theasalonlans and Galatlans, 18, 80; Hast. Bib Diet , IV, T+». > Rackbam, 801-406. 74 Studies in the Apostolic Church. synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were bap- tized." Acts xviii, l-li, *«7sl"c',S I'^ t^e subsequent opposition of the Jews, Gallio, the Miasionary liberal-mmded Proconsul of Achaia, so fully favored the urney. apostle that the populace were emboldened roughly to handle Sosthenes, the new ruler of the synagogue. At Corinth, Paul wrote the two Epistles to the Thessalo- nians. With his work crowned with large success, the great leader at length turns his face toward Jerusalem. Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him as far as Ephesus, where they remain, while he, after a brief sojourn, hastens forward by way of Caesarea, salutes the Jerusalem Church, and goes down to Antioch. Acts xviii, 12-23. Enrich the lesson of this week by surrounding it in your mind, as far as possible, with the atmos- phere of the Greek life of that day. J % STUDY X.-Seoond D^y. Memory Verse, Acts xvi, 9. Read Acts xv, 36— xvi, 10. Note that the Holy Spirit had greater work for Paul than the provinces of Asia Minor, and so directed him, since he was responcive. STUDY X.-Thlrd Day. Memory Verse, Acts xvi, 26, Read Acts xvi, 11-40. Weigh thoughtfully what is said about Lydia. Suggestions for Map "Work and Scripture Outline. Draw a simple outline map large enough to include Pales- tine, Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece ; place the several cities mentioned, and mark the course of Paul as given in Map 1, which follows Ramsay's construction of the course through Asia Minor. See map in Ramsay or in the volumes of the N. C. B. Scripture Outli.vb.— Disagreement of Paul and Barnabas, Acts XV, 3ft-39; Paul's second missionary journey begun with Into Macedonia and Greece. 7S Silas, 40, 41 ; Timothy added at Lystraand cir-umciaed, xvi, 1-3 • Concordat delivered and Churches strengt.iened, 4, 6- Paul directed to Macedonia, 6-10 ; Course to Philippi and work there. 11-40; Course to Thessalonica and Church planted there xvii' 1-9; Ministry in Berea, 10-16; Paul's stay and sermon at Ath- ens, 16-34; Paul's extended labors at Corinth, xviii, 1-17; Re- turn by Ephe«us, Ctesarea, and Jerusalem to Antioch, 1&-22. STUDY X.-Pourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xvii, 11. Read Acts xvii, 1-15. From Philippi to Thessalonica would be one hundred miles southwest, on the magnificent military road, the Egnatian Way, "one of the great arter- les of the Roman Empire."' Qeneral References. Purves, sees. 181-200,208; Bartlet, 62-110, 117-119: McClv- mont, 46; Stevens, 332; Ramsay, 176-266; C. H., I 235-3»o 398-402, 405-426; Stalker, 8^99; Farrar (St. P.) SS' Dic't'^lil,^^'*' ''^''*' '''"'"*' '''' ^'^' F'-'il'^y. H^S STUDY X.-Fiftli Day. Memory Verse, Acts xvii, 28. Read Acts xvii, 16-34. Notice that women of good position are prominent in the Christian movement in all the cities of Macedonia. This is in marked contrast to the position granted women in Greece. Topics for Personal Investigration and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. The authority of the Holy Spirit. Acts xi, 12; xiii 9-11 • XV, 28 ; xvi, 6, 7 ; xx, 28 ; Rev. ii, 7, 11, 17 ; iii, 6, 13, 22 2. The "we " sections, as related to Luke, and the best ae- coimting for all the facts. Bartlet, 96. 97; N. C B Acts 287 2«8, 294, 306, 336, 367, 388; Ramsay, 200-205 219, 315, 383 '884' "Travel-Document," in index of C. R, E. ' ' 3^ Athens. C. H., I, 344-372; Farrar (St. P.), 29&-30fl; Bib. Diet. (South Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Tim- othy, to be considered in connection with the Epistles). 4. Character study of Silas or Silvanus, from all that is known of him. Hast. Bib. Diet. ■ "" ''. R., Acts, mi c. H.. I, sifwai. I 76 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 6. Aquila and PriBoilla, and Harnaok's view that the latter may be author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. N. C. B., He- brews, 86-38 ; Ramsay, 263-266, 287-289; Study XXX, NarratiTe. 6. Paul's sermon at Athens, its strength and weakness. Ramsay, 249-268; Bartlet, 106-108: Stifler, 167-171 ; Kackham. 812-319. STUDY X.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xviii, 11. Read Acta xviii, 1-22. In every way Paul's residence of eighteen months at Corinth must be regarded as a great epoch in his life history. His nature broadens, his ideas become more masterful, he begins the writing of his Epis- tles, henceforth his goal is Rome. ' Questions for Written Answers. 1. Was Silas a Roman citizen? and a Jew or Gentile? 2. When was Timothy converted ? 8. Were Aquila and Priscilla Christians when Paul first met them, or among his converts? 4. Why, appaisntly.was a vision given to Paul at Corinth? STUDY X.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, 1 Cor. ii, 2. The second missionary journey probably began in the spring of 50 or 51 A. D., and ended in the spring of 63 A. D. Ramsay, 174, 263, 264; Purves, 319, though Tur- ner, Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 424, makes it cover 49-52. Enter in notebook chapter-names for Acts xiii-xvii. Personal Thought. " Come over into Macedonia, and help us " Acts xvi, 9. The great apostle was ever ready to respond to the cry of need, and to go into strange and difficult places. Is my heart tender and responsive to the needs of others ? Am I a missionary in spirit ? Read Rom. xv, 1-3. > 1 Cor. 11, 1-5; Ramsay, 252-265, 280; Purves, 18& PART rV.— BLBVBNTH WBHK, THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALOXIANS SEEN THROUGH PAUL'S FIRST LETTERS. STUDY XI.-First Day, Memory Verse, 1 Thess. i, 1. The city of Thessalonica, at the head of the Thermaic The.M. gulf, toward the north of tlie ^gean Sea, was the metrop- '""'«=•• olis of the Roman Province of Macedonia, and capital of the second of its four divisions. By reason of its fine situation with respect to commerce, both by land and sea, it has continued to be a place of large population, the present city, Saloniki, having more than 150,000 inhab- itants.' The last lesson has shown that the Thessalonian Church Founding of was founded during Paul's second missionary journey, *••€ Church. probably in the latter part of 50 A. D. Silas and Tim- othy shared in the labors of the apostle at Thessalonica. Paul preached for three consecutive Sabbaths in the great synagogue, and won some Jews, but the converts were generally proselytes, and heathen people who "turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God." 1 Theas, i, 9. They were Thracians by race, with a con- siderable mixture of Celtic blood, and among them were "chief women not a few." Compelled to leave Thessalonica, with a limit of time Occasion and probably fixed by the rulers or politarchs of the city dur- ■*"*« "' *••« ing which he could not return, Paul dispatched Timothy *■*"'"* from Atlions to bring him word concerning the infant Church. His messenger reaches him at Corinth. There- upon the First Epistle to the Thessalonians is written and sent by Timothy, perhaps toward the close of 51 A. D., and the Second in the same manner in the early part of 62. _They therefore possess great interest as being the li I I* i; 1 HaokhBin, 298. 77 jS Studies in the Apostolic Church. state of the Church. The Lord's first letters of the apostle, and, with the probable excep- tion of the Epistle of James, the earliest writings of the New Testament. As the Christian disciples of Thessalonica are viewed in the light of these letters, it is seen that the apostle had ground for heartfelt gratitude over their spiritual condition. 1 Thess. iii, 6, 7; 1, 8. It is also plain that they are suffering persecutions, but are bravely enduring them "with joy of the Holy Spirit." i, 6. The tone of the first letter is therefore one of rejoicing and praise. " We thank God without ceasing. . . . For ye are our glory and joy." ii, 13, 20. At the same time the char- acter oi Paul seems to be attacked by bitter enemies, and he takes occasion to dwell upon his devoted labors while in Thessalonica. Return , ^l' 1^°"^*^ appear that, in the interval, these primitive • diristians had become absorbed in contemplating the Lord's return. Out of this had arisen a peculiar prac- tical problem. Would not some of their number who had died miss the joy and reward of his coming ? The apostle's answer is given in iv, 13-18. "Paul evidently shared the universal belief of the early Church that Christ would return daring the lifetime of the generation of Christians then on earth.' But he never made this a part of his gospel message." "The difference between the two Epistles is this: In the first, Paul teaches that Christ will come suddenly and without warning, when- ever that may be; in the second, he teaches that it can not be just yet.'" Tho correction of this idea prevailing in the Thessalonian Church, and of unfavorable results flowing from it, seems to have formed the chief reason for the writing of the second letter. In this Epistle, ii, 3- 12, occurs a passage of which Professor Adeney, N. C. B. 243, 244, says, " This is one of the most perplexing pas- 1. 'Godet, 178, 176: Fnrrar, 341, 342; Purves, 202. 'ProfeBsor Aden^-y, jj. B. C, Thessalonlons and Galatlans, 40, 41, 61. TTT m ;.«4^ii^ \w Into Macedonia and Greece. 79 Sbi. ■ages in the New Testament." And this is his conclusion as to its possible meaning: " Do not be deceived. ChriHt ThcMMPf will not cofue yet. First there will be a falling away of some of the Christians; then the full malignity of the Jewish power will be made manifest. It is very haughty and insolent now, claiming the temple as its own, and assuming the authority of God ; but for the present the Roman Government restrains it. When the restraining influence is removed it will break out with full violence. But then Christ will come and destroy it." The practical advices and precepts given by Paul to- ward the close of these letters are very striking. He dwells chiefly on increase in brotherly love, on social pu- rity and industry, on giving honor to the Church leaders, and on constant watchfulness, praise, and prayer. In the first Epistle he uses the term "saints" for the spirits of the departed servants of God, 1 Thess. iii, 13; in the second, for all the godly, 2 Thess. i, 10; in both Epistles, under terms having the same root meaning, he lifts ap the pure Christian standard and declares that this is made possible through the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess. iii, 13; iv, 3, 4, 7, 8; V, 23; 2 Thess. ii, 13. Practical Ad- vices. After reading an Epistle through to get our first general impressions of its practical drift and pur- pose, the next move of importance is to work out independently a general outline. STUDY XI.— Second Day. Memory Verse, 1 Tn-r^es. ! e. Eead 1 Thesa. i, ii. Note that tl ^- f; st Igtior sUus- trates the general structure of all of VauV- jLi'.nh-v i. A salutation or greeting; 2. A thanksgiving to Gom for the Christian gifts and graces of his converts; :> A doctrmul portion; 4. A practical section; 5. Person.!. 116^.:...^. , salutations, etc. ; 6. A brief autograph conclusion, end- ing in a benediction. But here the doctrinal, practical, Jv^--'il.'''",-:'\' ^^^^T?^^^^ 8o Studies in the Apostolic Church. '?». -* •nd personal portiun« are intermingled, and there are no closing MlutHtions.* STUDY XI. -Third Day. Memory Verw, 1 Then, ir, 18. Read 1 Thew. iii, iv. This first writing of Paul pre- served to us should bo most oarefully studied to see what Christian truths or doctrines can be discerned. Notice the many times the word "God" occurs, uv.(\ how the name "Father" is connected with it, i, 1, a; iii, li, 13; the use of "Lord" with the names for Christ or alone; the frequent reference to the Holy Spirit; the prominent teaching concerning Chriat's return, and many other be- liefs. It would be well to write out in your notebook as complete a I'm us you can from the two Epistles.* Buffffeatlona for Map Work and Scripture Outline. The Egnatian Way (see Study X, Fourth Dsy), with the position of Thessnlonioa upon it and the Thermaic Gulf, would form a fine piece of map-work. C. U., I, 316-324. and map op- posite p. 278, gives excellent help. From Pyrraohium, on the Adriatic, to the River Hebrus in Thrace, the Via Egnatia, strictly so called, extended a distance of five hundred miles. On this oourse, Thessalonica was about midway, and "along the whole line ... no city was so large and influential." 821. ScRiPTOHi Odtlinb. — 1 Th.MPslonians: Salutation, 1- thanksgivings and congratulati(n s, i, 2-10; Paul's ministn ex- plamed, u, 1 12; his interest aad desire, 18-20; Timothy's mis- sion and report, and the apostle's prayer, iii, 1-13; txhortations to purity, brotheriy love, and industry, Iv, 1-12; comfort in the Lords return, 13-18; watchfulness of sons of light, v, 1-11- closing directions and precepts, 12-27 ; benediction. 28. 2 Thessalonians: Salutation, i, 1, 2; congratulation and prayer, 3-12; views concerning the Lord's return corrected, ii, 1-12; thanksgiving and prayerful ■vighes.ii, 13-iii,6; warnings agamst disorderly conduct, 6-15; closing salutation and bene- dictions. 16-18. *^^'»"^ XI.— Fourth Day. Memory Verses, 1 Thess. v, 17, 18. Read 1 Thess. v. Mark the words, " he died for us," ▼er. 10, as the germ of Paul's great doctrine of the crosa iFarrar(M. B.), UM57. « N. C. B., 28, 29. '.Mim Into Macedonia and Greece. 8i 811(1 tho atonement. Also not© the mhVumy height of Christian ch«i.,.-ter prosented in ver. 23. Tho ten versei 1.'5-'.' I, are a beautiful pusgago for the memory. ' Oeaeral Raferencea. .., J""'"*' ''"'' '""-20": "««'•». "0-U7: McClymont. 4>^ 62 ra ; Stevens, m, 890, 407. 437. 468. 4M. 470-474 • Hnmmvlm' V. r. . 38^06: stalker. 10,-110; Fan-nr (S . ') "r-.^?.' STUDY XI. -Fifth Day. Memory Vorse, 2 Thess. ii, IS. Read^lWii. NotMhat the two Kpi«t!e8 are some- tmios called tho mission group. More ponerullv they are classihed M having reference to lant things in ti,e Chria- tmn plan They are elementary and simple in treatment, and for this reason, and because they come early in the apostles work, they may be termed the primer or fore- noon Epistles.' '^''''OTaitw''orr°^ Investlsratlon and for Aaelgmnent in ^' T't^*"!? ®^'"* «"P"^"cin« his own character Ezek ZXXV..22-28; 1 Thess. lv,7.8; v. 23.24; 2The... H, 13; C al. hU 1 Cor. V. 11 ; Rom. xv 16; 1 Peter i, 2; Heb. ix, 8- H ; x. 14-21 2. The-alon.ca. C.H., , 321-825; N. C. B..fH8; Bib. Diet. 8. Politarchs the name for the Thessalonian "rulerB" Diet "iv\%'u\'!' ''^-'^' *"'Clymont. 44; Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, 315; Rackham. 283 ; Farrar (M. B ) 178 (M.B.) 148-174; Godet. 114-128. 612-821; Moffntt, 120-127 , T,, „ ' ' *'"'^^' *"*1 hours of manual and of public work Sr.'.^i.^'''""^'^^' ^•"•'^•^= N.C.B.,'168.252.253: ,.. ^:. ^*''' I'arousia or return of the Lord. N C B 2»-49 195-210. 233-236; Bartlet, 118-115; Hast Bib. olct ' etc 1 Thi"*^-"',?^ *!!r* " ''''"**•" " ««"°f'y." " holiness,'- ]l\' f I;;^ o ' ^'"''^' 2*^2-292 ; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 39»-4oi (atevens) , IV, 891-395 (Bartlet). omr-wi ' Bruce, 4-26. 6 r ■!i. ill a MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2' t^ la t Ui 12.0 I.I 1.8 L25 III 1.4 1.6 J -APPLIED irv MGE Ro.:r.,5If'. Ne. ron. 14609 uSA ' "6) 482 - 030C - Pnor.5 i'le) 288 ■ S9a9 - To, 82 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 8. Hatan. 1 Thess. i, 18: 2 ThesB. ii, 9; Ramsay, 230, 231; Bib. Diet. 9. " Tlie man of sin," the restrainer, etc. 2 Thess. ii, 3-12; N. C. B., 236-245; Godet, 171-178; Stevens, -472-474 ; Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, 748. STUDY XI.~Sixth Day. Memory Verse, 2 Thess. iii, 1. Read 2 Tliess. iii. Note liow sensible Paul is in his views of work and all practical interests of life, thou;rh he dwells in the circle of transcenden: spiritual ideas u ..J feelings. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What led Paul to write his letters? 2. Of how many Epistles is Paul the author? 3. Wliat evidence is there that these two letters are Paul's earliest writings ? 4. How many times in these letters does Paul use the words, "the gospel of God," "our gospi ," etc.? 5. Enter in your notebook five items of Christian belief found in these letters as a beginning of your construction of Paul's gospel or system of doctrine. STUDY XI.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, 2 Thess. iii, 3. Seek by self-examination and prayer to enter into Paul's intense desires for the spiritual development of himself and others, perhaps reading the Epistles through with this new key to their message. Personal Thought. "Watch therefore: for ye knew not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning ; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Mark xiii, 35-37. Is my life so ordered that if he should come suddenly he will find me ready for his appearing ? In what re- spects am I not ready? How may I prepare more fully for his coming ? Read 1 Thess. iv, lG-18; v, 5-U. PART rv.— TWELFTH WEEK. GREAT PRINCIPLKS AI'I'LIKD L\ SOUTH GALATIA. STUDY Xll.-Pirst Day. .M,.,n.,ry V.Mst-, Gal. i, 1. (ialutia proper was a cold and dreary district toward Oa.a.,a.«i the nortn of Asm Minor, about two luindrod miles lon<' *»«e "South from east to west and one Imndred miles wide. The nto^"^" name descended from the (iauls, warrior tribes wi,,) eame from Western Europe in the third eentury I?. C. and con- quered the native Phrygian population. Later, the two races were blended together, the region wa.s ;>bsorbed by Roman conquest, and became a part of the empire. As such it gave name to a larger Roman proving e.xtending almost across Asia Minor centrally, north and south" The earlier view was that Paul, in his second missionary journey, evangelized the original (Jallic or Celtic people iu the north, having, as their principal cities, Ancyra, Tavium, and Pessinus, aiul that the Epistle to the (iala- tians was addressed to them. But under the powerful leadership of Professor Ramsay, the greatest authority on the geography and antiquities of Asia .Minor, tlie "South Galatian" theory is now being widely accepted, which holds that the Epistle is directed to the Churches in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, [.lanted by Paul iu his rirst niissionaiy Journey, and visited iu his second journey. These are some of the points in favor of tliis view: Poinumits 1. Paul invaruibly wrote of the places he visited under ''*"'*"■• the names of the Roman provinces to which they be- longed. He also was iu the habit of traveling along great Roman highways or well-known routes. As he states 63 84 Studies in the Apostolic Church. that " because of an infirmity of tlie llf:jh " he preached the Gospel to the Gah;tiau3 the first time, Gal. iv, 13, it is not considered likely that in his condition he would have taken a rough and little-frequented path over a wiM mountainous region to reach Xorth Galatia. -Z. We have a full account in Acts of the founding of the South (iala- tian Churches, but no mention of tlie origin of tlio Churches in the nortli. :j. Paul's tone of authority in tiie Epistle could bo employed with tlie weak Phrygian people of the South far more wisely and tactfully tiuin with the proud Celtic people of the .North. 4. Barnabas was with Paul in the first journey, and there would be ajitness in the two references to him in the Epistle, if the apostle is writing to the people of South (Jalatia, 'es- pecially in the e.xi.ression, "even Barnabas," fial. ii, 13, as he would be well known to them, hut unknown to those of the North. But since some authors, including Turves, in books of recent date, still maintain the other view, there is liberty of opinion, and undue stress should not be laid on either side of the argument. olteo'fthe '^^^ P^*^^^ ""'^ ^"^^^ °^ ^^^ writing of the Epistle are Letter. "'^'^ »" question. Ramsay, 190-192, would place it at, Syrian Antioch, just before Paul starts on his third mis- sionary journey, A. D. 53, and on the basij of a report brought by Timothy. Others would place it later during this journey. Why Written. It is evident that the Epistle is written by the apostle under a keen sense that his work among the Galatians was imperiled by the influence of Judaizing teachers, who had visited the Galatian Churches and were seeking to lead Paul's converts to adopt Jewish rites and observ- ances. To accomplish their end they had assailed the ofHcial standing of the apostle and the genuineness of the gospel he preached. **""'* Aim' ^^^^ therefore begins his letter abruptly, making no • complimentary allusion to the Galatians, as he does to Into Macedonia and Greece. 8c members of otl.or C'l,..rdK..s to whom he writes, and at once asscrta liis apf.stolic eallin- a^ coming dire-ily from God, and his gospel as reoeived through the revelation of Christ. The details o.' his life, especially his visits to Jerusalem and reproof of Peter, are recount.Ml in the early part of the letter to show that lie did n..t de-ive his gospel from the older apostles, and he closes this introductory passage witli this profound statement: "I, through the law, died unto the law, that I might live unto (Jod. I 1:a\e been crucified with Christ; a^nd it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me; and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave him- self up for me." Gal. i, ii. From this point onward the apostle powerfully uplifts Hi,centr.i and ai)plies the great principle of the gospel that Chris- ''"nwse. tian righteousness or justification, wliich is simply right relation with God, is by faith through grace, and not by the works of the law. He also sets forth the principles of adoption or sonship and heirship. By a contrast between the children of Ilagar and Sarah, Paul shows t'lat " we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman." Gal. iii, iv. "For freedom ,Iid Christ set us free; stand fast, Freedom. therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of boiHl- age. . . . Ye. . . . «ere called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the tlesh, but through love be servants one to another." How shall this full freri-m be maintained? Paul answers, "Walk by the Sp , • and then contrasts " the works of the flesh " and "the fruit of the Spirit." The letter concludes with practical counsels and a brief apostolic benediction. Gal. V, vi. Never was a document issued that meant more for the o^atinfiu- universal liberty of man than the Epistle to the Galatians «"""' »••« "As a whole, the letter is an eloquent and powerful claim ^'""*"* I fim 86 Studies in the Apostolic Church. f.>r freo.!,,,,, ..f \\h; froclom nf il.,„i^ri,t, freiMlom of the individual fn„n vxtorml ri-stri(ii,,MH and regulations, frmlom fur all to work out their own Hulvaliou and de- velop their own nature, . . . freedom to do right, not Ireedotn to do everything; ' tlie whole law in fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou bhalt love thy neighbor a« thyself."" . When Paul refers to " the works of the law," let us remember that his thought is usually focused on the burdensome ritual of the Jews. STUDY XII.— Second Day. Memory Verso, Gal. i, 8. Read (Jal. i. Note the intense earne.stneH.s with whieh Paul iminediiitely brings forward the prineiples of his Coispel. as against tiiose who woidd pervert the (Jalatians. The great words of his own statement of Christian truth begin at once to appear, in his use of the word "grace," ver. 6 and 15. STUDY XII.-Third Day. Memory Verse. Gnl. ii, 19. Read. Ual. ii. No one can measure the inthience of Paul's teaehing as '.o justification " by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law," ver. 16, upon ail the subsequent course of Church history. SuKgestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Outline Asia Minor, place within it the Roman province of Galatia, mid lociit.' .Vntiooh, Iconiuni, l.ystra, and Derbe. See Map 1 for tlie boundaries of tlie Roman province of Galatia at this time, and n.ap in Ramsay. ScRiPTrRK Oi-TLiNE.— Paul's divine calling and claim for the Gospel, Gal. i, 1-17; His approval by, but independence of, the older apostles, i, 18-ii, 21 ; Justification by faith, foreshown in Abraham and prepared for by the law, iii, 1-25; Sonship and heirship, iii, 26-iv, 7 ; The Galatians exliorted against defection from the true gospel, and directed to spiritual freedom and brotherly love, iv, 8— v. 15; They are to walk in the Spirit, v, lft-26 ; Pa ul's closing counsels, glorying, and benediction, vi, 1-18. ' Romany, 189. •n^is^f::-' Into Macedo nia and Greece. S7 STUDY XII.-Pourth Day. ^r..„.o,•y V,.,.., („.,. ,, .^ K-l(.al.iii. TlH. X. C. M., <,;, ,;r, ,r:M.oi„t. ..„, »!'■'« J ani s n..en.nce.. to a rovnant or will, v.r. 1.", ,„h1 ';• "•'<>1'""" i" .liap. iv, Hl.ow that ho has th- <;r,M.k U^r,. ■|l""" I •••s.. ,,vo thin^H in min.l, an,l that h.,th ..us.ajr^s av,„- the South (iahuian view, u. the Uoman c-u.to„KS W'MiId invvail III North Galatiu. General References. run.... .,.,.s. 213-218; Hartlot, g4. S,^ ; MoChmnm ^9 7(V7«. (• H H i)'^,r' ,' ^^'-**-- li»'nsay. 182-19;), 275. 278; iu^i 181 ?M "'""^rr-J^'' •"»= K-mr,St. P.). 42.^^43 '-"met. I8i-J,j, Mi'ucf, 48-71) 1,54 r/a iwj .>~c n .... Diet.. 11. 81-98-111,706, 707, 712 ' ""''• "'^• STUDY XII.-Fifth Day. M.,n,.ry V.r.., (J„i. iv, 6. Head (.al. iv. '• Ve ohs.rve days, ar.d months, and Bea.so„s and years, ' ver. 1... The traditional reve^nce of the (.a at.ans, when pagans, for the heavenly bodies would ead them readily to adopt the new moon and othl; festivals of Judaism. They ha,l not yet accepted eircum- cision, though strongly urged thereto by the fj.se teachers. ■"^t'ofSs-wTk""^ investigation and To. Assi^n^ent 1. The gift reception, baptism, filling of the Holy Spirit J-'it- IN. C. B., 58-73; Kuckham, 195-198 Diet^^n.,^lii;i:^«--^'-^^^-58;Hast.Bib. 235;%^tTr- J--- -• -= Bruce, 146-1.. 221- 2S3;'Hi;rBi'b"'ret.^^""'' '''-'''■' «'--^.«7Hl30; N.C.B.. 6. Faith. Stalker, 59; Bruce, 224-236 ; Bib. Diet. 60; Bib Diet '^^''''^'"'^'^'-•P''^"^'^^^^^'''^'^- Stalker, 88 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Uti-t Hib. Diet., h. Christianity imd woman, (iul. iii, L'8. ■NVoiniin; N. C. B., 3(>1 9. The cnws of Clhrist. (Jal. vi, 1L>, 14; Stcv.'n.x. 4(13-416 ; Stalker, 04; Hriici>, 169, 17(); Hib. Diot. STUDY Xll.-Sixth Day. Meiii,>ry Xor^v, (iiil. v, 2:', I'J. Ki'iid (i; 1. V. Mark the positive a.s.siiranco in vi-r. li; of ooiistaiit victory for those whose daily course of life is "by the Spirit."' Questions for Written Answers. 1. What wa.s the occasion of Paul's letter to the Oalatians? 2. Why does he >;ive so many items of his biography at the openinj: i>f the letter? 3. What great key-words of Pauline Christianity have their earliest use in this Kpistle? 4. What woi-ds appear in tlie Epistle to show the believer's new privileges or standing? 5. What things are nam. d as comiwsing the fruit of the Sfiirit? 6. In what does Paul plory? 7. What does he l>ear " branded " on his body? STUDY XII.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Gal. vi, 14. Read (iul. vi. The last words of tlie apostle before the benediction are very impressive, and probably refer to the scars left by persecution, which he countsiis the evidences in his body that he belongs to Jesus. Personal Thought. "Bo not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatso- ever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. vi, t. It is the law of the harvest tliat a man reaps the same kind of grain that he sows, and he reaps a great deal more than he sows. This is an awful thought to the sin- ner, and a comforting thought to the Ciiristian. We should never become weary in well-doing: "for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Read 2 Cor. ix, 6. PART rV.-THIRTEENTH WEEK. PAUL'S Tllllfl) MISSION AKV .UniiSVY-. STUDY XIIL-First Day. yu.n.ry V.r.e. Acts xviii. 2«. After remainin^^ in Antioch for ..ome ti.ue. Paul boKan hKs third missionary journey lute in ti.e 8i.ri>.^r of 53 A I) • tor the hist time he now goes through the Svrian gates he only pass in the Amunus Mounta.n.s, aero.; his native t heia, perhaps stopping, ,t Tarsus, through the Cilieian gates and at ength (in.Is hin.,s..If among the Gaiatian Churehes u. whom he ha.I n-enlly a.Klresse.l the letter considered m iln- ju^'vious Stu» tlii-in; ami flit>y s|i,ik.> Willi loii^,'ii('M, and jiii.|iln'.siiMl." Ai is xix, 1-7. E«trMi ni Mw Ki>lii'KUH, till' caititiil of llii' I'luviinv ,,f A-ija, raiikcil \lliilntr> ntiH ,. -.I 1. ,; i • .. 141 1 ■ ■. Intlurnrr. '' •^"'^""''' '" 'Vna Hinl AlfXaililrill Hi Ki;y|)f us <.Mc nf tiif Ihr... nn.jit riticsof 1 1 Kastcin Mcdil. Trail. mii. 'I'll.' liiU'H >>{ trade and travel, i>.iili l,y nca and land, coiiiluni'il to iiiaki' tlic city tlm natural hasis from wliirli |'hiiI\ prc- stntation of flu- (jospi'l would nprcad tlironxli the onliic province. Tlio word wi.iild lie heard liy provincials who viaitod tlio city, and would lie carried by Paul's helpers to many of the otlu-r cities an 1 towns. His iiii:iirttr\ lie- gan in tlie synaj^oKue, where "he njiake lioldly for the spuco of three months;" and aflerwiiron8 of Sceva, a dcwish priest, in their at- tempt to cast the evil spirit out of a man, only added to Paul's fame and inlluence. 'And not a ft'wof them that practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in tho sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand jiieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of tho Lord aud prevailed." Acts xix, 8-'-»2. The Riot of The latter part of Paul's stay at Ephesus was marked oemrtrius. ^^ .^ j.j^,j^ stirred up by Demetrius and his fellow-crafts- men, the makers of silver shrines of Diana, whose mag- nificent marble temple was the chief ornament and glory of tho city. The apostle was delivered from imminent danger through the friendly offices of the Asiarchs, chief men of the province. Acts xix, 23-41. Paul's Larger The remarkable development of ilie apostle's work in Course to ^phesus aud the Province of Asia did not hide from his Jerusalem, vision the larger fields beyond, and already he had said, "I must also see Rome." But first he would bring to- Into Macedonia and Grcecr 91 •""'"'"•>' ^1""' ilnv,. month,, ,„(;,.,.,.,.,.. a ,.|,„ ,•„,,„„. """^''> Ma...lo„u. In,h.,fartin.r, .ours... ),.„,,.. L ■:'';'";'7' p— —„.... ti... ........ ..f 1. ..nZ ^jl.-n.,o,h.o!.h.,.of,h..nnnvha.K,,h..„.^; , of I h, hp ,1... Kvanpl.Ht at, Ca-nan-a. for,,. ,ho ,,..ri...is of oe^o thon.,«t,M,.,v«tin,an.|,ou,.hi,.,,.a4.-^foun. «a}.s. rt „,t ,Io y.s woo,,,,,;, an.l hr.akir.K ".y ht-art '- for anr.avnot..h.., . ,.^^^ 8Hh„ for the ,ia„u. of tho Lonl .le.us." Act. xx 1- XXI, 16. ''^ **» ' — It ia supposed that Paul reachf ' h,. wrr.^^ ♦! l- «>«»«of 1^.^.0 to the coH.a..ia..t;f;,.„M;:i:,.:rt^^^ 06 1 S oou.l hnt«t c to the Cori.uhiauH; from Cor- nith, at the beguuu.ig of 57, the Epi.tle to the Boiuuus.' The student should again be on the alert, lest owing to the modest simplicity of Luke's stvle hc^^should rail to note his supre^.e greatneVlf ' STUDY XIIL-Second r.y. Me.nor: V.rs.. Acts xix. 2 of thT^ -f ' -'^''';^=^-^i-^' •^•^- ^ou: that the coming of ho Spmi a,x„: the twelve me , xix, 0, is a parallel ca ! t^^cstowal of the Spirit in bamaria and cLarel, a^d I RamMy, 885. »j, *.«. ■Bartlet, 140. 92 Studies in the Apostolic Church. ri'^'isliTs tl»f Diviiif M.iil lijM.ii the aflvan.-.' Htc|) now iiiado • iv I'liiil ill this ;;r, al province. Tlu- "mcIkioI " ..f Tyraii- ims, vir. ',», iiuaii-t a Ifcttiri'-room hikIi as iiu> rlit •oriciariH us.'.l fur ih.ir .xcr.i.sfs. •' \V.- may siiftly iinufri.!.. that most if hot all of tlic Hcwii 'Chiirilifs of .\ la ' ail.ln -is.-l ill the Aiucalyps.' iiad their orij;iii alioiit this tinic. a^ well a.s thf (.''iiinhff) of Colossf and HicrapoliH, tla- iK-i;,'lil.ors of Laodiioa in the Lyciia ValU'V."' S'-UDY XIII.— Third Day. Mcnuiry Vir-..', Act* xix. 23. Head Ai-ts .xix, -^a-ll. The Htoi-.. anijiliithfati-r of Kphrsu!} was of imnienst- size: " Wh.ii this crowd as- Sfiiil.lod then' it was a building titat could liold -^5,000 or 30,000 jtooplo."' SuBereetions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Drnw A Himple outline map, leaving out all details, except those called for by tlie Third Missionary .lourney, sueli mh the ■everal cities and i«laiid-i named and the I'rov nice of Asio, and mark the curse of I'aul. .See Map 2. and also knmsHj, map. ScKirTiKKOiTLiNK.— Paul revisits tiiihitia and I'lirjuia, A<'t8 xviii,23; Apoilosat Kphesus and Corinth. l?4-28 ; Paul proceeds to Ephesus and Imptizes twelve men, with sifrns of the Spirit's approval, xix, 1-7; preaches and works niirtidcs, 8-2(); plans for the future, :.l, 22 ; the riot. 23-41 ; Paul visits .Macedonia and Greece, xx, 1, 2; ei urse U^ Miletus, 3-17; address to t> Kphe- 8ian elders, 18-35; farewell and farther coui-s- to J./usalem XX, 36-xxi, 16. STUDY XIII. -Fourth Day. Memory Vi .se, Acts xx, 12. Read Acts x.\, 1-lG. Tlie .student sliould picture tho experiences of Paul not recorded by Luke. On li-'s wny "into Macedonia," ver. 1, the apostle first waits restlessly at Troas for Titus to brin;; him tidinps from Corinth. When the latter does not arrive, Paul goes onward, and meets liiin in Macedonia, writes Second Corinthians and sends it, and i^erhajis then makes the visit to Illyricum alluded to in Uom. xv, 19. ' N. C. B., on verue 10. ^Cani. Bib., 381. Iijti) Maccilinii.i anil (Jrcccc. 93 Oonerul Rof'ormic«»B. I'urv. ,, ,. .., -.IK^ \iUi. 210. -JSr-'-JO, 2rjl-AT». 23fl, .':)7 ; liartl.f UD-l.-iU; I, un.Mj, :'tiv:io.<; (• ii . II. (I 31', 67 ft7, I'.iH,,;, i5i- IW, liw .':t«; MMili.r. ii,(Ki(>;); I :,rn.r(.st l'.),;;r,» ;»:« Mn'-luJ 4:'«M3l. m.4i:.,:,i.K.-,L'i ; ii,„ii„j. ii„„i. ii,b. j. , in. ■(H»-7i.'.' STUDY XIII- Fifth Day. M.mory VVr,... \oU xx, 3.V i.N':.'l A. s XV, i:-:!s. X„t,, t!- ,H,. „f th.. w)r.l ••liiHli..iM" ,;, M.,-. '..'S, with til,. in:ii.,i,.,l "ov..r....M,"as (Ipscriptiv.. .,f (!,.• cLLth as Ki-'ir-luuis ..r sIi.'pIht.Is of \\u- IfSM .■xj.fii.iirf,! iiM.ml.crs. F„ this eurlv ucrio.I th.- t.rm is not iis.mI i„ ail otllcial s- . -o. Thu fUtiVo'ad.lrfSs .shouM hv read ami stuilifil wit!, ^rcat euro. Topics for Personal Invoetigatlon and Ibr AHaitfomonf lu Olaaa-work. 1. Clirirttiuns to jiv.- in, ,ifi,| hnvc llif Inuti* of the Holy Hpirit. .\ct8 xiii..-i2; 1 Th.-s. i, 6; (inl. v. -.rj-Jn; vi. H; Kom T,4; viii,4,li; ix. 1-3; xiv, 17; xv, 13, 3fJ; Col. i,8; I'hil. i 19 2. Vi-oUoi. C. II.. II. 14-17; Stitl.T, IHO-IKH. 8. Kiihous. Kac-klmm.337-3;j»; linrtl.-t. 125; lti)> Diet. 4. Til- koiniiii I'rovinceof .Vsia. kumsHV. 273, 274 ; Huck- hani, 3.37. f. Diiiiia, h.T fiwniilp nnd worship at K|.h.-«iis Fb .( (St. P.), ;J57-301 ; l.-Hinsny (C. K. K). 112-14fi; liib Diet. 8. The "seliool" <.r l.-ctiire-room of Tyranmis. Knmsiv 270.271; Knokham. ;«l. '' 7. Fnnl's funnvfll eharKo to the Epheniaii elders. Stifler 202-204; llackham, 382-396. STUDY XIII. -Sixth Day. M.-mory W-rs... Acts xii. 13. R.-a.l Acts x.xi, 1-10. On tho plira.sc, " these said to Paul through tho Spirit," vcr. 4, Meyer remarks: "The .Spirit had testilied to them that a fate full of siifTering awaited Paul in Jerusalem, and tliis in their loving, zeal- ous care they took aa a valid warning to him not to go to Jerusalem. But Paul himself was more fully and cor- rectly awaro of the will of the Spirit." 94 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Questions for Written Answers. 1. AVhat, probably, did Priscilla and Aquila find that Apollos lacked? Acts xviii, 27. 2. To what city in Achaia or Greece did Apollos go? 3. What does the word " Asia," Acts xix, 10, designate ? 4. What was the probable value of the "50,000 pieces of Bih-er," Acts xix, 19? 5. What was the cause of the liot described in chapter xix ? 6. What notable miracle occurred at Troas ? 7. What new beatitude of Christ does Paul quote in his address at Miletus ? STUDY Xra.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxi, 14. Write in the notebook your chapter-names for Acts xviii-xx, and read, lor the story of the period. Bird 324-414. , t- . u, Personal Thought. "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afHictions abide me. But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto mj. self, so that I may accomplish my course." Acts xx 22-24. ' A successful work, a loving circle of friends, a con- stitution none too strong and already worn with the hardship of many journeys,— all these things constrained St. Paul to stay in Ephesus. The only promise h« had as he left Miletus was that bonds and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem, but he had a world-vision and a God-given work. Am I in the place Divinely intended for me ? or is there a "region beyond" where I ai,, needed more? Are the grounds sufficient upon which I liave decided to remain in my present work ? Am I following closely the leading of the Spir' ? Read 1 Cor. xvi, 9. %^r^- PART rV.-POURTEENTH WEEK. PAUL'S MASTERLY LETTER OX CHURCH ORDER. STUDY XrV.-Pirst Day. Memory Verse, 1 Cor. i, 9. Among the abundant labors of the apostle during his TheWri«„,„, residence in Ephesus was the writing of his first extant •""•»» c«wi«o* Epistle to the Corinthians. Through Apollos, doubtless, '"'' Paul had heard some very unfavorable reports of the progress of the converts at Corinth, many of whom were slaves, and all of whom had the severest temptations. There is good reason for believing that in addition to the report of Apollos, Paul had written a previous Epistle, which has been lost, and that in response to this letter the Corinthians, by tlie hands of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus, had sent a reply to Paul, asking concern' mg certain things which troubled tliem. From First Corinthians, which was a reply to the inauiries of the Church at Corinth, we gather that they asked concern, ing (1) marriage, (2) meat offered to idols, (3) matters relating to public worship, (4) spiritual gifts, (,5) the resurrection, (G) the collection for tlie poor in Judea, (7) the sending of Apollos back to them. Furthermore,' "by them which are of the household of Chloe," the party spirit and disorders which had crept into the Church had been made known to the apostle, 1 Cor. i, 11. Even the ministry of Apollos had not been altogether salutary. His impassioned oratory had caused some to underestimate the worth of the great apostle. Besides Apollos, Judaizing Christians from Jerusalem, claiming the authority of Peter, or Cephas, as they called him, had preached the necessity of circumcision. They e.\alted 95 fe'l 96 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Peter as the God-appointed head of the Church and sought to undermine Paul. Factions In The names, therefore, of Paul and Apollos and Peter, '^* ' and even Christ, had become party names. No actual division liad resulted in the Church, but Paul knew that such factions might easily result in division. Tlio Church, in maintaining this sharp contention concerning individ- uals, was forgetting the simple message of the cross which he had preached. Paul now teaclies in this letter that he and Apollos and Peter are laborers with Christ, and he asks, "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you ? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul ? " Ho concludes by saying, '• Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours ; vhether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, r death, or things pres- ent, or things to come ; all are yours ; and ye are Christ's ; and Christ is God's." Yet he adds tliat in the question of human agents, he was their "father" in the gospel. 1 Cor. i — iv. Sinful Prac- The Church at Corinth was composed largely of peo- '^craTcondi' P^^ of unfavorable antecedents. Their parentage and Uons. training had been such as to vitiate their appetites and desires. Former habits of life were not easily thrown aside, and it was exceedingly difficult for them to rise to the exalted standard of the gospel. They were sorely tempted to sensuality, which they saw all about them, and with which they had been familiar all their lives. Their environment taught them to be dishonest and un- truthful. There were quarrels and resulting contests in the heathen courts. Christians were even defending these things. One prominent member of the Church was living in notorious crime with his stepmother during the lifetime of his father, and no effort had been made to expel him. Paul therefore spoke out plainly on these points and the subject of marriage and divorce. He commands the expulsion of the man living in incest. Into Macedonia and Greece. 97 urges fidelity to marriage vows, and advises that mar- riages formed even with unbelievers should not be broken, unless the unbelieving depart; and in general he conn- sels all to remain in the state in which they are. 1 Cor. V — vii. In answer to their question concerning food offered FoodOfferw; to idols, which the people bought in the markets, Paul *** •''"'* instructed them that since the idol was nothing there could be no contamination by eatin<< this meat, but since even Christians, in this relation, were sometimes called ujwn to eat and drink in honor of some god, and such eating and drinking would be understood as a recogni- tion of the idol, such practice should be avoided if it caused a brother to stiunble. 1 Cor. viii x. He next corrected abuse in public worship. Women, Abuses in in their enthusiaam, often forgot the customs of their **"••"« ^^ day !iiid uncovered their heads and addressed the con- """* gregation and engaged in the disputes. These practices Paul regarded as unbecoming, and he directs that ordi- narily women should not speak publicly, but if the Spirit made an exception to this rule, modesty must not be laid aside. The Lord's Supper should also be observed with decorum and reverence and in the spirit of brotherly love. 1 Cor. xi. The later chapters of the Epistle will be considered in the next Study. First Corinthians is the commentator's delight, because scarcely any New Testament writing is more capable of being illuminated by a portrayal of the historical situation, nor is any more susceptible of a definite and clear analysis. STUDY XIV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, 1 Cor. i, 30. Read 1 Cor. i. It is thouglit tnat Sosthenes, who unites with Paul in the greeting, may be the former 7 II ESQ pS Studies in the Apostolic Church. ruler of the synagogue at Corinth. On ver. 2, Godet Biiys: "The whole Epistle is, as it were, summed up beforehand in these two ideas: holiness of the members, unity of the body." Xote, also, the two great truthn, •' Christ crucified," ver. 23, and God's choice, ver. 27-31. STUDY XrV.-Thlrd Day. Memory Verae, 1 Cor. ii, 12. Read 1 Cor. ii. Mark the privilege of the humblest Christian to have revealed unto him "through the Spirit" "the deep tilings of God," ver. 10; and the law by which it is impossible for the "natural man" to re- ceive " the things of the Spirit of God," for "he can not know them," ver. Ii. Suggestions for Map Work and Scripture OutUne. Make a simple map of the region of Western Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece, and mark the route betv.een Ephesus and Corinth, both by land and sea. See Maps 1 and 2 ; Hurlbut, 130; Ramsay, Map; N. C. B., Maps. Scripture Octline.— Salutation and thanksgiving, 1 Cor. i, 1-9 ; True relation of ministers and Cliurches, i, 10— iv ; Church discipline, v : Avoidance of heathen courts, vi, 1-8 ; And of bodily sins, vi, 9-20; Marriage questions, vii ; Meats offered to idols, viii ; Sun-ender of rights for the sake of others, ix, 1— xi, 1 ; Women speaking in the Church assemblies, xi,2-18; Dis- orders in the Lord's Supper, xi, 17-84. (Concluded in Study XV, Third Day.) STUDY XIV.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse,- 1 Cor. iil, 22. Read 1 Cor. iii. Consider the statements that " we are God's fellow-workers," ver. 9; that every one is a builder, ver. 12-15; that "ye are a temple of God," ver. 16; and that " the temple of God is holy," ver. 17. Oeneral Beferences. Purves, sees. 219-22<^; Bartlet, 130-140; McClymont, 49, 68-64; 8t«vens, 340-352, 389-405, 433-482; Ramsay, 275, 276; C. H., n, 26-68: Stalker, 122-131; Farrar (St. P.), 876-401: Godet, 238-307 ; Bruce. 71-75. Into xMacedonia and G recce. 99 i STUDY XlV.-Fifth Day. M.mory Ver.>, I Co,., viil, 13. Read 1 Cor. viii. Obs.Tve, ver. 1, " Kiunvl,..l.re puiretl. uj)," but «'love" buildeth up. Can any one mii.UMut the- altitude of vor. 13, an.l not be inunt-asur- ably devL'lopt'd and enriched in character? Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Class-work, 1. Cliri^tians to pray, proj-hesy, si.iK, worship i„, and be e,ni...s of, the Holy Spirit. .John iv, 24 ; 1 Cor. Mi, 16. 17 ; vi. T '^ i "• '■'"• ^' -^= ^l'"- "• ^8-22; V, 18-20; vi. 18^ ■hide 20. ' • I 2 Corintu. C. H., I, 414-418; Farrar (St. P.) ,''•4-317 • Hurlbut, 123. ' ' ' I 416 li^ ^'■^'""" province of Achaia. Kackham, 301 ; C. H., 4. Spiritual knowledge and wisdom. 1 Cor i 3l_ii le- ^.C.B 14ft-152; Bruce, 366. 359; Hast. Bib. Diet., knowledge' 5. Man as God's temple. 1 Cor. iii, 16, 17- vi 19 ^^'^ C- B 155, 156, 174, 175; Stevens, 438; Bruce, 252, '253,'3'l8' 44--!:^ ^ h''"'"' "^ ^ '^ "carriage relation. 1 Cor. vii ; Stevens. v4"??^V?u r""^'**^'®^' ^- ^- ^- 30. 31. See also Study AXIV , Fifth Day, Topic 8, and Study XXVII. 7. Rights and their surrender for the sake of others 1 Cor vui, 13-ix, 27 ; N. C. B., 191-199 ; Stevens, 4.55, 456. 8. The two sacraments of baptism and the Loixi's Supper in 460-475; Stevens, 461-464; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 726, 727. STUDY XTV.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, 1 Cor. ix, 24. Read 1 Cor. ix, 19-27; xi, 2.3-34. Meditate deeply on IX, 19-22, as the ideal of every Christian life in per- sonal evangelism. Ver. 25, " Like competitors on the race-course. Christians must train. ... In eating, drinking, and other bodily gratifications the Greek athletes were under strict rule for ten months." It should be remembered that xi, 23-.34, is the earliest written account of tlie Lord's Supper in the Xew Testa- ment.' 'Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 14«, H7; Stevens, «3. loo Studies in the Apostolic Chun h. Quostiona for Written Aiibwhi-h. 1. Wlicn itiiil !>}• wliom wiim tin Cliiircli «l (!(irintli fninulcd? '2. Wlinl tliMiiiItk light 7 4. Hy what nioiuiM wen' IIhhc imittcrH liroiiKlit In tlio kuowKHlgo iif rmil? 6. Wlu-rc mill nt ulhuit whnl dtitc wiih Klrwt Corinthiiiim writ Ion? 6. What aro Iho npoxtlc'HdiriTtions and aiiswcrM rcHpccI iti^ • ho di.xonlcrs and dillicnllii'M at rnrinlii? STUDY XIV.— Seventh Day. Mi-niory V.«rs.>, / Cor. xi. 26. Personal Thomrht. " T.(>t liim tl.iit tliinkctli lie stimdt'tli tiiko liot'tl ]vni ]\o fiill." 1 Cor. \, l'v>. What siiifu' j)raiMiccs would St. I'nul speak n>;iiiiist if lio woro to writt> a lottcr to iiiv Clnircli to-day, iiflor having heoii fully 'uformt'd as to tlu> coiiditions in that Cluirch ? W .at liarniful tondoucics in my owti lifo woidd ho coi-.dcnin if ho wore to write to nie or eoneerning nie? Do ] seek to know the mind of Clirist as Paul sought to know it ? Do I realize the ma nomv in tiu- Clu.nl., first apostlcH, m.,on.lly propL.-ts, tliinllv i...,.!,,.,.. (Ik-u n.ir- a.-lcs, tluMi Kifts of iRMilii.Ks. helps, Kov.rM.iu.r.ts, .livera kinds of tdiijriu's." 1 Cor. xii. :.s lov,.. " How high and wido-n-arhiiig tho spiritual ro- .inin.moi.ts of this hiw of h,vo nr.. ... is .aK,.i(lfenUy l.rought^ out in that ijUH).nparal)Ie hymn of lovo .'hantod by St. Paul in 1 Cor. xiii.' In conniption witli this chap- tor ono thinks of tho nol)U. exposition of it hy Henry Druniniond.' He omparcs the qualities or ingredients of lov.., as frivon in verses 4-0, to the si)ectrum of light, und makes them nine,— patience, kindness, generosity, humility, curtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guileless- noss, sincerity.— and shows that "these make up iLe supreme gift, the stature of the perfect m.in." He then proves tliat Jove is supreme because it makes u]. the very texture of the life of God and all tlie good. "To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever. . . . Give yourself first to love, ... be- cause it is going to last; because in the very nature of things It is an eternal life." 1 Cor. xiii. ""STXZt . ^" ^^^ ""-"^ ^■''"l'*^'- t'^« «P08tle presents the consider- Md. «^>o"a a»d rules which should control the exercise of the spiritual gifts, so that "all things be done unto edify- iiig," and also that they " be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. xiv. Again, there occurs in the course of this letter the treatment of a great theme, that of the resurrection, in ii manner to make it forever memorable. Paul starts from the fact of Christ's resurrection, and in vcr. 5-8 he gives a remarkable summary of L.s appearances, clos- ing with the appearance of Christ to himself. In the latter part of his argument he points to the analogy of seed-gra in, to the variety of embodimeuts which God pro- >Orr, Hast. Bib. Diot., Ill, i.yi. ••'The Greatest Thiug in the World." The Resur^ rcctlon. Into Macedonia and (mcccc. 103 vi.i.s for (liir.Tfiit cri'iilun-H, iiii.l to the raiif,'.' of inu^rni- tiid.' iiii.l bciiiity in tho hciivcrily I.o.li.s. II,. m.ikos it, plain that the Ijody i^ n'iIoP,.n.,l iinr ivi, making a line alxnit six hundred miles east and west from Derb«' to Corinth, and then northward about three hundred miles to Philippi. ScKiPTCRK OuTtiNt.— Unity of the Church having diverse gifts, 1 Cor. xii ; The supreme gift or grace of love, xiii ; Edifi- cation and order in the use of gifts, xiv ; The resurrection, X" ; Closing directions and commendations end benediction, xvi. (Concluded fri>Ti Study XIV, Third Day ) STUDY XV.— Fourth Day. Memory Verae, 1 Cor. xiv, 16. Read 1 C'f. xiv. " It was a happy circumstance for the future of Christianity that in these early days, when there were almost as many wild suggestions and foolish opinions as there were converts, there should have been this one clear, practical judgment, the embodiment of Christian wisdom."' But the point is not to be missed that here is seen "a spectacle of fresh and transforming spiritual power . . . energizing in every member," and that lifeless order can never compensate for the lack of this in the Church in any age.' General Beferenoea. Purve s, sec. 224; Bartlet, 493-496 ; McClymont, 84 ; Stevens, I Dods, 104. • Stalker, 181 . Into Macedonia and (ircccc. 105 43»-438. 4e7-WO; C. II . II. 68-«7 ; Farrar (St. P.). 3M-401 • (J(id.«t, 27K-2ftr. ; Bruco. ar>H-3tM. STUDY XV. Fifth Day. M.-mory VeniP. 1 Cor. xv, 68. R.'a.l I Cor XV. The Htatoii Ms Hh.uit tlio tmiaism for tlio di-u(l, vor. Vlt, ihtIiuiw ,.,m-iit ||„. ^'r.-at. st dif- ficiilty of th« ••Imptcr. On lliis, .Massio' n-markH; " IVr- Imps w.. ••oiil.l comhiiif 111.' VI. ws „f KvaiiHuiul fiodct, and Hay, ' Tliey that ari< l)a|.liz...i with Hufferinjf in oxpoctalion of tlio rt'siirreotion of liii; dead,'" Topics for Pei-Bonal Investigation and for Assignment In Class- work. 1. Th« KiftH of the Holy Spirit, Mrirk xiii, 11; ,\oti ii 4- X. 45, 48; xix,6; ICor. xii, 4-11; aXim. i, H; H,.l,. ii,4. 2. Chri. tian divernity in unity, 1 Cor. xii. Sf<-vf dh! 434 435 464-l«9; Unit.'. 377, 3ft(). ' ' 3. "Tnu-hors," 1 Coi . xii, 28, h.s a gpt-cial clasn of vv.,rk^r« in the variy Church. Hiirtl.t, 484-IStf ; Unst. Hib Dint., I, 4m. 4. Lovp ax the Huprtnio Christian Kiacc, 1 Cor. xiii. Ste- vens. 43S; Bruce, 35R-3(11 ; Haxt. Bib. Diet., Love. 6. Sp.'cial B|.irituui K'ifi-* of the early Chrihtiann, 1 Cor. xii, xiv. Bartlet. 485-J87; Sialker, 125-127; Bruce, 36ft-371. 6. The doctrini- ..f the resurrection, 1 Cor. xv. Stevens 474-480; Bruce. 386-394 ; Ha»t. Bib. Diet. STUDY XV.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, 1 Cor. xvi, 18. Read 1 Cor. xvi. On ver. 2 note this from Meyer: " It does not, indeed, follow from this pas -age in itself that the Sunday was already observed at that time by a.s- semblies for the worship of tJod, although this is to be assumed from other indications. See Acts xx, 7." Questions for Written Answers. 1. What do the word.s "anathema" and " Maran atha" mean, xii, 3; xvi, 22? 2. What is the basis of the distribution of the gifts of the Spirit, xi i, 7, 11? >N.O. B.,41, . 1 tl :r~:'7m»x^m~^ lo6 Stiuiifs ill the Apostnlic Church. a In hIiiH r«'i«|M>ct U love nn-ittor thmi (nilh ami li>>|ii> xiii, IH? 'I Wlint ii« I'Xpri'MritHl liy tli« wonl " |irii|ilii-My," xiv, 'J, iiml 6. U lint liTitiM iin> WRi'il In I'liHriifti'rlzc tlii> Uitly nf (In- r»'Miirrt'«Miiiii, xv, i'J -14 7 6. WIml |>ri>cniitii>ii iUn'm run! Iiikn in tli<* coiiTfyinK of tlii> OollcotiKii fniin Coriiitli to J«>riiHnl<'in, xvi. H'( STUDY XV. SevoDth Day. MtMiutry Vfrw, 1 Cor. ivi, 14. Porwomvl Thought. ■' Hilt iitiw aliiilctli fiiitli, Impt', lovo, llnw tliri'o; imd till' ri'iih'Ht of tlu's«' in lovo." 1 ('(»r. xiii, IH. When .IfsiiH CliriMt 1Ih in ii itmii, tliiil inuii iiiHtiiu t- ivi'ly lovfs his fi'llow-nicii, fi>r ChriHt is IdVf. |)(» I note an iiicrcii.xc in niiNfirmii lo\t« in my lifo liay by day ? How i» it iM»sHiblc to cnltivato tliiH grace? llow i1o«'h ("hristian lovp nianift'.>*t itself? In what ways to-iluy may 1 prove my love ? Rcatl 1 John iv, 7-il. PART IV. 81XTKBNTH WEEK I'AI'l/S KM(»TI'K\AI. I.I:TTKU-A WINDOW INTO HIS IIKAUT. i HTUDY XVI.-PlrHt Day. M.-m,.ry V.-rm-, J (or i, 1!«). In sotiH" n-HiMTtH Si-'<„i,| ( oritilliiiiiis jh tlio numt ilifli- r motion the mil of all of I'iihI'h KiiisllcM ailciiimlcly to iiniltTstanii •*'*••»»••« iukI to prij^ciit. l-arnir [iroMOiiiKcs tJiiH tliti Ii-aHt. My.^- Iiniatic, and Kir;*! CorintliianH llit- most HyHti'inatif, of all tlio Pmiliiio h'ttcrs.' " Tlutn' IniH boon n Htortn ; tin- uir i.H still tU'ctrii'."' Tim letter i^ lillcl with .•motion; and not oni- current of feeling,', imre and Htron;,', Imt an limitation and ulternatiftn of dilTerent currents. Miit why thin ronlHct of emotion in the son! of the apoHtlo? It i« due to a flood of oppo.sition and eiilnmny at {,'or- inth, and Paid i.s eon.strained to defend him.self ami hin work. Iliu Hennitive spirit protests apiinst ihia. for it involves the appearance of mlf-praisi!. Tliiii tliero in the pain of nnjn.st accusation and distrust while, with immeiisuralde love and resolution tho apostle seeks > win the Corinthian Church away from tlie inflrcnce of false leaidiers tin.i perverse 8elf-^onlidenc(^ The Kpistlo thus becomes a window into his heart, throu^rh which wo gain u rare insi;rht into the very life of a res|dendent soul. Tlie foll(»wing steps mtiy have jireceded the writinj,' of Events Pre this Kpisilt',' at least they seem to explain some thiii<'s »••■"•«>'> to found in the letter: (1) Visit of Titus and his comimn- ion, 2 Cor. xii, ItJ-lS, to Corinth with the First Kpistle. (2) Timothy arrives at Corinth by way of Macedonia. The discontent becomes more serious and he returns to Paul with the news. (3) Judaistic emissaries, 2 Cor. xi, 4, lead t he Corinthians even to open rebellion, and word > Farmr (M. B.), 232, 233. • Massls, N. C. B., M. iN. C.B.,«7,68. 107 if" 'M. io8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. is brought to Paul. (4) lie hastily visits Corinth by sea, his second visit, 2 Cor. ii, 1, but can not stem the tide, and retires to Macedonia, declaring he will return, and, if necessary, punish, (5) He does not, however, return from Macedonia— for proper reasons— but proceeds to Ephesus. (()) From Ephesus he sends a severe letter by Titus, stating that he ia on the point of coming. 2 Cor. xii, 14; xiii, ], but is again deterred on just grounds from going. (7) He grows impatient for news of the effect of his letter, and goes north to Troas, for mission work and to see Titus sooner. But his spirit has no rest, 2 Cor. ii, 7, and he leaves for Macedonia, where he meets Titus and is overjoyed at his good news. (8) He sends Titus back to Corinth with the present Epistle. (0) He follows himself, and spends three months there. Acts xx, 3. rT-^^h*?' '^^^ ^^"^'* '^' therefore, drawn from Paul bv the res- the Earty toration Of the tornithians, and is an expression of deep Chapters, personal feeling. It has been a period of mutual suffer- ing, both with the apostle and now with his spiritual children, as they have seen the agony they brought "to the tenderest-hearted of Christian men." So the first thoughts of the Epistle are of kinship in suffering and of God's comfort. The way is now prepared so that he can explain and justify his failure to come to them, and his anxiety about the intermediate letter. He is led to speak of the ministration of the Spirit and of the nature and practice of his own ministry; of the distinction between believers and unbelievers, and the need of being sep- arated ; of his joy and comfort, and tliat of Titus, in the present devotion and affection of the Corinthians, though he had made them sorry unto repentanre by the severe intermediate letter. 1 Cor. i— vii. The second part of the Epistle takes up the subject of the collection, which has been long in abeyance; and Paul incites the Corinthians to liberality, both by the example of the Macedonians and by the motive to cheer- Llberailty and the Blessings of Oivlng. Into Macedonia and Greece. 109 ful and bountiful giving which springs from God's boun- tiful grace and the corresponding harvest wliich returns to the giver from such sowing. "As ye abound in every- thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in tliis grace also. ... For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. viii, ix. The third division of the Epistle opens with thoughts Heroic Apov concerning Christ as the standard, and then, in chapter *'"^'''- xi, the apostle reluctantly and in humility unfolds his SuWcient" own heroic devotion to Christ and men. "Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I? Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; ... Of tlie Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep." Thence he passes to an account of liis visions and rev- elations—the "thorn in the flesh," and God's sufficiency, and the Epistle concludes with references to his coming visit to Corinth, the counsel to self-examination, and the triune benediction. 2 Cor. x— xiii. Second Corinthians is hard to outline and con- strue, but has some of the stateliest and most pre- cious passages for memorizing in all Holy Writ. Let the student treasure up at least one of these great paragraphs. STUDY XVI.-Socond Day. Memory Verse, 2 Cor. ii, 14. Read 2 Cor. i, ii. Note that from i, 15, onward through ii, Paul is careful to explain why he did not carry out his promise to return to Corinth after his brief ! lo Studies ill the Apostolic Cliiirch. un.l iiniiviiiliii^r second visit, liul "out of inifli iiilliclion iiiul aiifiuisli of lu'iirt . . . wroti' . . . with niaiiy tfurs," llic severe letter, wiiieh l)r(iiij.'lit tliein to repejit, iind to (liscipliiie tlie eliief olTeiider; and he now ask.s that forj,'iveiiess ho siiowii him, ii, c, lo. Afler I'anl "went forth into Ma Ionia," ii, 1.), ni.'l 'I'ilns anil sent, liini hack to Corinth witii tiiis K|iislh', lie is siipposed to have sroiH' as far W(>stward as at least the boundary of Ulyrieuni, Uoni. xv, lit.' STUDY XVI.— Third Day. Memory Verse. -J for. iii. 18. Head v' Cor. iii. Druminoni has placed all under debt by his treatment of iii, IS, in his adilress " Tho Chan-rod Life." See, also, on ver. Iv'-lS, Dennoy, Ex- positor's I5iblo, X, "Tho Transligurinf; (Spirit." Suggrestiona for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Follow tli(> npostle in his iinssible journey westward from Tliessiilonii-n on tiie Kpmtiiin Wiiy to the border of Illyrituim and return. See Ilnrllmt, fJ4, 125. ScKii'TriiK OiTLiNK.— Saliitfttiou and tlianksRlving i, 1-11; The Cln-istinn ministry in its motives nnd experiences, i, 12— vii ; Liberality and nivinjj, viii, ix ; The defense and oxhittit of Paul's apostleship.x.l— xiii.lO; Conchision and benedictiim, xiii, 11-13. STUDY XVI.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, 2 Cor. v, 17. Read 'i Cor. v. Ever hold in mind tlie great truth, " We lire ambassadors on behalf of Christ," ver. 20. General Reference' Turves, sees. 2l\-2S0; Bartlet, 144-152; McClymont, 49, 65-69; Stevens. 367-37 1. 390-393, 407-41-1, 423, 443. 441, -153, 466. 476-47S: Unmsny, 276. 282-289; C. H., 11.90-125; Siniker. 105, 10»; Farrar (8t. P.). 401-419; Godet, 308-340; Bruce, 75-89. STUDY XVI.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, 2 Cor. ix, 7. Road 2 Cor. ix. "It is well to mark how much at- tention the foremost of all tho apostles gave to such a ' Purves. Btv. an: Hast. BUi. Did.. II, 45<), 451. Into Macedonia and Greece. 1 I I nmtt.T lis tilt! <;oll...ti„M of money. It jm n.,t, ii;r|,t t., let tlio iiK.noy of tli(^ Lor.l'H l.oiiHe 1... c(,II,.,.t,d u.i.l miiMiiK..(l on Micro cfirthly priiwiplcH. Tlie tre:iHiiry of liig tcmplo lu I.,. I., " l\ 1.1 I>. * is holy." Domilil Fri iHcr. Topics for Pernonal Inv.stiifatlon and for Aaelgnment In OlaBH-work. 1. lirlirvTH (., rriilizo Chrisl .1,1(1 IxTomo lik.> him fhroiiKh 111.' Il.ily Si.irit. John xv.'M- xvii. 14,1.",; 1 Cor. lii, :i ; 2 Cor iii, 18; Uuiii. viii, 9-11; Eph. iii, 14-19; 1 J,,!,,,, iv, -j', I.'J-IO- V, 6-1..'. 2. A study of V,m\\'h <"inof idfinl iKitiiro. riiiriir (M. 15 ) I'ni-'M; \'ur\t'»,Hv,'. ■J^^»■, Ihmt. Mil,. |)i,.t., 111,700. .,. Tlic Christian iiiiiiistiy. 2 Cur. i, K'-vii ; HriK'M, 37.^377 • StHlkcr, I(){)-1IH; Kmh-ht (St. P.),4ll-4i:<; C.xl.'l, UlB^.'Ji.':). 4. I'li.irs tiwIiiriK as to Kivin^ or Chrlstliin slcwiuflshiii 2(W.viii. ix; (Jo Hfif.isnnd to his last K.'iicriil olTi-rinK for th(> poor anions tho (Christians of .Ind.-a. 1 C.,r. xvi, 1-4; 2 Cor. ix, 1-5; Rom. xv, 26- 2K; Farrar (St. V ) Wt-ATJ- Htalkcr, 14S. -r-t^^, 6. I'aul'8 visions and revelations. 2 Cor. xii 1-7- Exp Rib., XXVI; Bartlet, 56, 57 ; Hast. Bib. Diet, III,' 7(;(). ' 7. The nature of Paul's thorn or "stakes" in the Hesh. 2 Cor. xii, 7-9; Ramsay, 94-97; Matheson, 46-59; Hast Bib Diet., Ill, 700, 701. STUDY XVI.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, 2 Cor. xii, 9. Read 2 Cor. xi, 22— xii, 10. From K-oontit of an un- utterably sublime experience in the un.seen world, to which he may never have referred save here, the apostle turns to an earthly experience which fon-ver links him witli all hearts that bear infirmities, and which reveals the way of triumph through grace. Questions for "Written Answers. 1. What affliction or trouble, 2 Cor. i, 8, had lM>fallen Paul in Asia (Ephesus) before the writing of this Epistle? 2. What are some of the motives suggested in chapter v for living an earnest Christian life? . ■«t>?.(>^rSKrl ■V.fVi-; Hi-V .'»• y-y^. 1 1 2 Studies in the Apostolic Cliurch. 8. In wlmt rcHpocIs ttlioiiKl (Mirixt's (liHCJ|il«>8 not lM«"im- cqunlly yi)k(>iir|X)HO did Pniil iiHk th(» Clniroh(>« for an offer- ing Ht lliiH time? 6. Eniiniornli- (li<> inotivcx for >:iviiiK to whicli he nppoalH in clmpttTM viii mid ix? 6. Wlmt iiilliiriicc hud this woond loiter on tho (Jhiirch? Sw Nnrrntivc. Study XVII. STUDY XVI.— Seventh Day. Mi«niory Vith.', 2 Cor. xiii, 14. Mcm.iri/..' -.2 Cor. vi, H— vii, 1; i.\, >;-ir,; .\i, -i-i--i<), or ut U'lLst oiii' of tln's«' piissiifji's. Personal ThouKht. " Ijt't 11 man so nccoimt of ih, as of iniiuHters of Christ, ami sU'wanls of tlie inystorics of 'Jod. Here, moreover, U is roipiirod in stewards that a man he found faithful." 1 Cor. iv, 1, 'i. I am a steward (or trustee) of time and money and life itself. These can all lie taken away in the twinkling of an eyo when the Lord conu's to claim his own. Am I a faithful steward, or do 1 take that which belongs to my Master and use it as though it were my own ? Read Matt, xxi, 33-4-i. PART IV. BBVBNTBBNTH WEEK. I"AUI/S LKAI)I.\(J I.KTTKU 0\ CIIIilSTIAN DOCTKINK. STUDY XVII. -First Day. M.-mcry Vfrae, Kom. i, 14. I'liul huH ciiKrod upon ii courso, in hin miHHionary Rome. th« joiirncyH utid fviinf,';)liziiti<)n of grout oilios and proviiicoH, ""••ofp.or. which will niitunilly loud him to Komo. This immonHo \hrci!Jl^ nictropoIiH, controIlinR the known world of that time, **'"'• dilTorcd from llio other (iiticH which tho apoatlo had vin- itod, heoauHC tho Cliurch was already ostahli.shed tliere. Writers have not agreed as to whether tJie early Roman Church was made up cl.iefly of Jews or (;cntilen, hut more recent views incline 8tron(,'Iy to th*; (Jentile side, while granting that .Ij^wish memhers and influences uIho formed a part of its life. Paul wrote tho Kj)iHtIe to tho Ronuins firohably in the Date •mi oarly part of the year 57 A. T)., during liis stay of thrt-e ^foWv^of months at Corinth, nc^ar the close of his third mi.ssioii.iry *''*^'^»*''- journey. Already he had expressed his purpo.se to vi.sit the capital. While doulitlc.-;s many of his converts had gone to Rome, and were found in the ( iiurch, he wa.s personally unknown to the hody of the members. This letter would bring him in touch with thorn, and prepare the way for hi.s cominij. Then, in the judgment of Hruoe and others, the apostle saw that Oii" more stcji muht be taken to conclude the controversy with Judaism. Throe questions— respecting the luw, the apostolate, and the election of Israel— were involved. Tho Epi.stle to tho (Jalatians mot the first question, the two Kpistles to tho Corinthians the second, and the Epistle to the Romans meets the third. The tone of the letter i.s calm. Paul has won his battle at Corinth. lie would console his 8 113 tmi^ 114 '^tiiilics ill the Apostolic (hurcli. .Ifwisli liri'llircii nilli tlii« tli.iii>,'li( that tliiin;,'li iHiarl Ih *' lirokcii olT," tlu>ir rcjcitidn in trinp.iniiv. 'I'lif irn- pi'riiil city ainti-alrt l<> I lie imn^iiialioii of an iiii|icrial huhI ; Paul riHvx (() till' iici-aHion. and writfM with lln' lai^ni. kh of a li'MiliT who liclicvi'w (hat "thr ^ospi I ... in th<< poutT of (loil unto salvation" to ||;c mine iini'. "'Plif posju'l of ('i,i, whii'h hi' |ironiiH('il afon- Ihioiijjh \\\-i |no|iln'ts in tl'.c llol\ S, I i|)tnn'H. conci'rniMjr liix Son. . . »'\(Mi .lt'.>;n.'4 Christ onr Lord, tliron>:;li uhoin «<• received graee and ai>osth'shi|>, unto ohiMlicnee of faith anioii^r all (he nations, . . . (o all (hat are in Koine." Taul has conie to the siiininit of his powers. Opposition has roused the latent eni'r^iies of his nature. All (he hear- ings of his ("hriHtian faith liave heen thou)j;ht out, and their deep foundations diseovered. Now they (ind ex- pression i!\ his leadinj: doctrinal letter. If (he ThcHSH- lonian letters are inorninfx epistles, (ialatians, Corinth- ians, and Komans arc Paul's noon epistlcH. " And Iht- (he }xr«'atc>;t of these is" — Koiuaiis." First Main The n ,n divisions of (he Kpistle to the Uoinans aro Division. I'll,. , . eoniparntively .•Jiinple.' After the impressive salutation and personal explanations, i, 1-17, (he doclriiml exposi- tion hegins with a survey of j'.istitication. Kirs(, in what may he called thi> "sin section," i( is shown that rif^ht- oousness has not heen attained either hy (it'll! lies or Jews, "for there is no distinction; for all have Kinned, and fall short of the jrlory of Uod," i, IS— iii, -.JO. Next, it is proved that righteousness is provided in Christ, iii 21-;il, that such rijihteousnesa attained alono by faith is consistent with, law, iv, and that it is attended with bliss- ful etTects, v, 1-11. The division assi<,Mied to justilica- tion then eoneludos with the consideration th.at Christ is more to the race than Adam. " For if, by the tres- pass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more sha ll tiiey that receive the abundance of grace and > Hast. Pii>. nu-t.. 111. 712: IV, a»7. aw. «N. C. B.. 2-.>. HI. 41'. 43; Stevi'iiB. 4^;!, liS; Godot, 344. Into Mill ciloii ill and (iitctc. i 15 i>r |Im< ^'ifl iif rij,'hlc.iiimi(MM nijMi in lifr (lirnii;.;|i lli*- uiic, cvi'M .F<'rilll r»f lilt' K|ii-(llc next trilV<'rHiinii iii'iiltlirii i,f r llii' I'liiisllf ii|nn.!. i''iir liif lied iilldliiiclil 111" tlif cli.ilitiiM of Ihi.-! power- Armngrmriit fill IflliT for foiiHlrmlivf nniliin' llif tlividii:" line i^ '•"<""•«»'"< t- 1 en ■ I r 11 '*'■ Memllna. (Inivvii for llim iinil IIh' foljowinj.^ Study Oflwfcn rli;i|iii|-i vii iinti viii. 'I'licrf in iinol Imt k ;i,-onil;i{,'c to ji lc;,';il Kt;itidiird to the lihcrty of Mm- "sons id' (iod," from u liopcji'ss Hlriitr^di witli tho tciidfticifs of oiif'.-i own lifart. to liie ul)Ouriiliii>,' life of tin; Holy Spirit. If the student thoroughly masters some simple outline of Romans, he will find himself greatly helped in the difficult task of understanding the course of its argument. if STUDY XVII.-Seoond Day. Memory Verse, liom. i, 16. Uoad Rom. i, 1-2"). Murk mont carefully tho words, ver. 17, " rijrhteouHTieHs of (iod by failfi unto faith, " for they f.xpre.sK the tliemo of the Kpintle. It ii now held that the righteouwr.ess of (fod means primarily God'« at- tribute of righteousneH,s, by which he not only prevents sin, but produces righteousness, so it fully consists with ^^ ii6 Studies in the Apostolic Church. God as Love. Then, secondarily, it moans the righteous- ness which is the gift of (Jod to man, the state of forgiv- nesa an>" acceptance before (Jod, which has been provided for mankind in the work of Christ, and is bestowed on man at justification. For the former meaning see Fifth Day, Topic 4, and for the latter, Study XII, Fifth Day Topic 4. ETUDY XVn.-Thlrd Day. Memory Verse, Rom. iii, 19. Read Rom. ii, 1— iii, 20. The apostle here brings the whole world under conviction or condemnation of siu. Suggestions or Map Work and 8oriptur6 Outline. "Obedience of faith among all the nations," Rom. i,6,8ug. gests a survey of all the peoples or nations in the world as then known. See Hurlbut, 97, 98, or any map of the Roman Empire. Scripture Oi'tlink.— Apostolic salutation, i. 1-7; Per- sonal explanations, g-17; (The Doctrine of Justification) Righteousness hitherto unattained, i, 18— iii, 20; Rifr! teous- ness provided in Christ, 21-31 ; Righteousness by faith con- sistent with law, iv ; The blissful effects of righteousness, v, 1-11; Christ more to the race than Adam, 12-21; (The Doc- trine of Sanctiflcation) Faith a.s union with Christ, vi, 1-14; The service of sin and of righteousness, 15-23 ; Release from' authority of law, vii, 1-6; The powerlessness of the law, 7-26; The state and privileges of the believer, viii. (Outline concluded in Study XVIII, Third Day.) STUDY XVII.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Rom. iii, 24. Read Rom. iii, 21— iv, 25. Seek to dwell upon and study profoundly the great passage, iii, 21-27, in which the propitiatory work of Christ and its relations to God and man find wonderful expression. It would be well to commit these verses to memory. General References. Purves, sees. 232-236; iJartlet, 152; McClymont, 49, 77-82 • Stevens, 338-442, 446-456,461.462. 477-482; Ramsay, 288; C H ' II, 154-195; Stalker. 1(», 109; Farrar (St. P.), 444-510; Godet! 841-410; Bruce, 90-361. Into Macedonia anJ Greece. 117 STUDY XVII.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, ii..m. v, 1. Keud IJom. v. Noto tlie two Bi-ctioiu of the cliupler the lirst, vor. 1-11, on th« pruoious effects of rijjhteous- ncsH, Hiich as peiu-o, joy, urid hope; iiiul the Hecond, ver. l'-i-21, ou Christ us more to the ruco tliiiu Adiim. Topics for Personal Investifiration and for Assignment In Olass-work. 1. Mankind resiBting, RriPvinK, quenchinK, the Holy ypirit. Gen. vi,8; Isa. Ixiii, 10; Matt, xii, 31,32; Actsvi,3,ft; v.i,61; viii, 18-23; IThcss.v.lO; tinl.iv,28; v,17; Eph.iv,30; .Iudel9; Ileb. vi,4; X. 29. 2. Huuif , ai.d tlie influcruv with I'aul of her government, lM)wer, and name. Kackham, Iv-lix ; Druce, 105, 106; Matho- Hon, 17ft-195; N. C. B., 9. 3. Th« Church in Rome. N.C. B.,9-17; Ilackham,495,498, 509,610; Bruce, 102, 103; Hast. Bib. Diet, IV, 297, 298. 4. Tlie righteousne«B of God. Horn, i, 17 ; iii, 21, 22 ; Stalker, 67, 68; Bruce, 146-160; N. C. B., 91-98. 5. Sin and death. Rom. i, 18— iii, 20; v, 12-14; Stalker, 54-67; Bruee, 125-145; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 721. 6. Law and bondage. Rom. ii, 12-27; iii, 19,20; vii ; Stalker, 62, 63; Stevens, 362-874; Bruce, 138-148, 304; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 719, 720. . 7. The propitiatory sacrifice or death of Christ. Rom, iii, 34-28; Bruce, 166-179; Stevens, 403-416; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 723, 721. 8. Adam and Christ as related to the race. Rom. v, 12-21 ; N. C. B., 151-169; Bruee, 134-137; Stevens, 849-361; Stalker, 81, 62. 9. Repentance, Rom. ii, 4 ; vi, 2, 19-21 ; justification, i, 18— V ; and sanetifieation, vi — viii, as presented in the Epistle. N.C.B., 22,23, 42,95-205; Stevens, 417-442; Bruce, 110, 116-124. i STUDY XVn.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Rom. vi, 11. Read Rom. vi. " For Paul two problems were solved by faith in Christ — how can the guilty be forgiven ? and how can the sinful be made holy ? Christ's death for sin offered the solution of the one nroblem, and Christ's life ^k -' *. IS» s 1 1 8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. iu tliu bi'lievur of the oiht-r.'" Note tliut the Epitttle now eaters upon the tieoouil of the problems. Questions for Written Answers. 1. From wliat plm-t" did I'aul write Honiani? 2. Had Uii' Aposfle yet b<'»n in Koiik-? 3. Why did he plan and donire l3 ? 7. In till' great passage, iii, l'4-L'6. what woi-ds express Christ's worit and what vvord man's part in obtaiiiinK salva- tion ? 8. What are some of the results following justification as given in v, 1-5? STUDY XVII.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Rora. vii, 0. Head Horn. vii. Perponal Thought. " I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. Kor I delight in God after the inward man: but I see a dilTerent law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captiv- ity under the law of sin which is in my members." Rom. vii, n-2;i. Am I living in bondage to sin ? Are the best desires and purposes of my heart thwarted by the law of sin which is in me ? Read Rom. vi, 1::J-14. »Garvle, N. C. n., 8. PART IV.-BIOHTBBNTH WBEK. THE INHERITANCK OF TIIK HKLIEVER. STUDY XVin.-Flr8t Day. Memory Vowo, R,.m. viii, 2. Iho prinoiiml mcsHMKc of t]u- iircviouB IcHson wiis the ••.st!il)lisluiu-nt of tlif truth of jiisfUiciition, uml the r<.ii- clusion was nwlnil that ♦'a man is justifi.il hy faith apart from the work., of \\n- law." Jhit in th.' lifjht of Paul'" experionre and tlioii>,'lit the fjroat nalvation coiihl not he limit.'d to the delivoranr*- of man from condem- nation. Tliere mu.st he a ni w life in Christ and in tho Spirit. For thi.s m-w lif.., in a hn.ad and rijrht sense, tho term sanctification is used ]>y tlie ap.mtli-, and hy the latest and best writers who s.-ek to descrihe his teaidiin;;. It is in this .sense that (Jarvie, (lodet, I'.arlh't, I'-ruee, StevenH, Findhiy, I'urves, and other, hold that IJom. vi— viii unfolds tho doctrine r)f sanctification. Chapter vi does this mainly hy KJiowing that faith secures a vital union with Christ, so tlnit the huliever can present hini- .self and all his members to the service of riphteousnoss. Chapter vii demoiistratea that a holy life can not be at- tained through the law. But it is left for chapter viii to bring out in full measure the privileges and inheritanoe of the believer. Tnis magnificent chapter stands central in the Epistle, Its ideas sweep on like the movements of u victorious army. Eacli phrase is a fresh note of triumph. "There is now no condemnation." The believer is "free from the law of sin and of death." He receives "the spirit of adoption," becomes a child of God, an heir, and a joint- heir with Christ. All things work together for his good. He is more than couqueior, and nothing shall be able to 119 LIfr Complete In Chr'st and In the itpl'lt The VIrvv of iUu\ whiiti in in Chriiit •l.HiiH our lioril." Tho r liofjing with " no condtim- natioii;" it imhIh witli no m'|>ariitioii. rhrWorhor Tl,,. Holy Spirit ix tlio K.«.r.t of tliiH victoriotiH lifo of inr ticHv .III- «i I t SkiiirM. "'"' '•"•iK'ViT. Murk i1h> coiiHtiitit ri'fcnMicc to liiH prcH- ciKM- and work: "tin- Spirit of lift- in CliriHt .I.-hum nnidr nn- fr.-.«."«'tlu' law . . . fullilU'd in uh who walk . . . aft.-r the Spirit," *' th.-y that nro aftor th.- Spirit" niiml "thi- thinK'K of tho Spirit," " tho mind of the Spirit in lifo atid pt'acf." ••)•<> aro ... in tht> Spirit, if ho Ij.- that tho Spirit of (iod dw.ll.'th in you," "tho Spirit of raciic»iPar« fn-iitinj; tin- ^,'.'iM'rnl itrincii'lrHof ChriMtian lifi-, xii. xm, •"'"«»"*'«^ Mu' a w'cuikI Hoctinn wliicli (akcH iiid) lUToiint th« ( ir- rimiHfHnccM df tlii< Clnircli in Uotnc, xiv — xv, l.l. " hli mh tlii-rn that |t(rn(Tiit(> you; Mckh, urwl i-iirst' not. Kcj.iifi- with them that njoicc; wcrp with thfiii that witji. . . Tiiko thought for thiiiKH hormrahlc in Ihf Hijfhtof all rm-ri. . . . Bo not ((ViTionii! of ovil, lnit overcome evil with Kood." These are M|iecinienH <>! the many practi.a! jire- ceptH in the firHt Heetion. " ff he.auHO of meat thy brother in grieved, thou walkent no longer in love. I)e- Hfroy not wifh thy meat him for whom ChriMt ,' ouf,'lit to hear th- inlirmilies of the wo«k." Tht.'rte wohIh may iiluKtrato the npirit of tho second Hection. There then follow u conc^luHion, full of interesting personal reforenees and doxolo^ies, xv, II— xvi. "Now I hi'deech yon, brethren, by our Lonl JesuH Christ, and by tho love of the Spirit that ye Htrive tofjelher with mo in your prayers to God for me. . . The God of peace be with you all. Amen. . , Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. , . Salute Persia the beloved, who labored much in the Lord. . . I Tertius, who write tho epistle, salute you in the Lord." No man has mastered this Epistle until beneath its complicated logical processes he has sensed its suffused glow of controlled but intense emotion. STUDY XVm.-Second Day. Memory Verse, Rom. viii, 28. Read Rom. viii. " Spener is reported to have said that if holy Scripture was a ring, and the Epistle to tlie 122 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Romans its precious stone, chapter viii would be tlie sparkling point of the jewel." ' Treasure this chapter as one of the noblest portions of the Bible. STUDY XVIII.-Third Day. Memory Verse, Rom. xii, 21. Read Rom. xii. On ver. 1, weigh carefully the.se words, " The body is spoken of in this verse, the mind in the next. Christianity claims . . . the body. The sac- rifice of the body is the avoidance of ail self-indulgence in the gratification of uniinnl appetite or sensual desire, the endurance of all hardship or want of the body that the service of Christ may demand, the exercise of all the powers of the body in doing the work of Christ in the world." ^ Suggestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Mark tlie course from Corinth to Rome by sea, over wliich Phoebe may have taken the Epistle. SiRiHTiRK Outline.— (The Doctrine of Election) God's abs?o- lute freedom. Rom. ix, 1-29 ; The Jews' failure through unbelief, ix,30— X ; CuKi'sfintt! purpose of mercy on all, xi ; (The Practical Part) Christian life in Reneral, xii, xiii ; Special directions for the Church at Rome, xiv, 1— xv, 13; Conclusion and benedic- tion, XV, 14 — xvi. (Concluded from Study XVII, Third Day.) STUDY XVIII.-Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Rom. xiii, 1. Read Rom. xiii. Note that there is a special propri- ety in this reference to the State in the Epistle addressed to Christians at Rome; for the authorities of the empire had protected Paul from the fury of his own countrymen, and the government in general maintained law and order throughout the world of that time. General References. Purvey, sec. '^34; Bartlet, 152; Stevens, 338-348, 375-422, 439-152; C. II., II, 173-196; Farrar (St. P.), 489-510; Godet, 358-364 : Bruce, 122-124. 187-348. ' Godet, com. on Romans, ^J6. « N. C. B., 257. :..y'm^^ Into Macedonia and Greece. 123 STUDY XVIII.— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Rom. xv, 1. Read Rom. xiv k\ , Kj. \,a > thai iu chapter .\iv two principles are bro glr out: (1) ;, dividual moral respon- sibility, 1-1-2; {-i) mi,tLtal toler; ;ice and support, 13-2:$. Then, in xv, 1-lb, u,c ;..■ t of brotherly sacrifice and helpfulness is more strongly enforced by the example of Christ an 1 the teaching of the Scriptures. Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. The assurance, earnest, flrstfruits, sealing, unoiiiting, of the Holy Si)irit, 2 Cor. i, 27; v, 5; Rom. viii. 14-17, 23; Eph. i, 13, 14; 1 Jolm ii, 20, 27; iii, 24; iv, )3. 2. Paul's meaning in the use of the terms "flesh" and "spirit," Rom. vii. viii. Stevens, 338-34S ; Hnice, 262-292; Whedon, com., in, 334-340; Hast. Kill. Diet., Ill, 720, 721. 3. Regeneruti 111, sonship, and liberty, Rom. v, 1-11; viii, 14-17,29. Bruce, 187-204; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 724 7'5- IV 220, 221. 4. Assurance or the witness of the Spirit, Rom. viii. Ste- vens, 440, 441 ; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 409, 410; III, 725, 726. 5. The doctrine of election in its relatiim to Israel, Rom. ix-xi. Bruce, 310-326; Stevens, 375-388; W. G. Williams, Exp. of Romans, 280-355; N. C. B.. 206, 224; Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 681. 6. Practical Christian life as outlined in Rom. xii— xv 13 N. C. B., 256-290; Bruce, 348. 7. Christianity and the State, Rom. xiii, 1-7. .Stevens, 451 452; N. C. B., 268-271. S. The scope ot Paul's work and plans, Rom. xv, 18-29 N. C. B, 292-298. 9. Phoebe the deaconess, Rom. xvi, 1, 2. Hast. Bib. Diet. 10. Tertius, and Paul's usual employment of amanuenses, Rom. xvi, 22. Hast. Bib. Diet. ; N. C. B., .S09. STUDY XVIII.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Rom. xvi. 22. Reaa Rom. xvi. Phoebe, ver. 1, is termed a "servant" (margin, "deaconess") of the Church at Cenchrea?, and probably took this Epistle to the Church at Rome. A study of Paul's personal salutations and references in his ,} ■■■ n i t iv^iivnp ■ip mmmmm Stifler, 212, 218. 125 126 Studies in the Apostolic Church. inclosure. A riut I'lisufd, and Paul wu- re,sciii.'d only by the prompt action of the soldiers from Aiitonia. Wluu they reufl led the upper stairs iheapo'le jbiaiiu-d permis- sion to address the people. As he spokf to ilieni in the Hebrew or Aramaic tongue, they gave at ten lion to an a* "ouut of his conversion, but wlien he uttered the word " iientiles" their rage and outcries agiiin l)urst forth, and Lysias, the chief captain, hurried him into the castle, lie was sa-ed from scourging by revealing his Kon;an cit- izenship. Acts xxi, 27 — xxii, 'iiK Appearance 'Ph(' ncxt dav Lvsias brought hi.i prisuiu-r iiefore the before the , . , , . » . 'i ■ ",■ i i i • i i Sanhedrin. ■^aiuicdnn. At nis urst Words, the high })ne.-t, Ananias, directed that he be smitten on the mouth. This showed the temper of the tribunal and how little I'aul coidd hope for a fair hearing, so he divided the council by asserting his faith as a Pharisee in the resurrection ot the dead. The result was that the chief captain again found it nec- essary to con'mand the soldiers to take Paul by force from the contending factions. "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said. Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." Acts xxii, 30 — xxiii, 11. DeHverance The next day Paul's nephew learned that a band of Feiu. I'li'i"'-' than forty conspirators were confederate with the council in a plot to assassinate the leader they so deeply hated. The young man was able to inform Lysias, and this officer, now fully awake to the pe'-il of the situation, made careful preparation, and with an escort able to foil any possible attempt to thwart his purpose, conveyed Paul to Ca^sarca. A letter to Felix, the governor, into whose keeping the apostle liad come, stated that " this man was seized by the Jews . . . I . . . rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. . . . And when it was shown me that there would be a plot ... I sent him to thee forthwiih, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee." Ac^s xxiii, 12-33. I In Rome and Elsewhere. I 27 Paul now remuiiH'd at luriareu for two ytars, or from Detention for June, 57, to about Auf,ni8t, 5!> A. D.' In tlio early part «*°>«'a'-s't of this period lie had his trial before Felix, in wiiich the Jews' side was represented by a special advDcafe, T<'rtiil- 1ns, and by Ananias and suine of tlu- elders. It w-as evi- dent that tliey liad no case, but Felix left him "in bonds." Yet his friends were aide to see l.ini freely and "to minister unto iiim." After Felix "came witli Dni- silla, his wife, who was a Jewess," and whom he had won away from Azizus of Kmesa, he "sent for I'aid and heard him eoneerning the faith in Christ .Jesus." Thouirh the address at the time stirred Ins conscience, he thrust aside tiie call to a better life. Near the close of the two years "Felix was succeeded by I'orcius Festus." I'lidcr the new governor tlie Jews renewed their (dnir^'es and there was a second examination of the apostle's ease, in the midst of whiidi Festus, "desiring to gain favor with tlie Jews . . . said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" Thereupon Paul appealed to Ca-sar. The final hearing at C'lesareu was before Festus, Herod Agrippa II, and his sister, Per- nice, and yielded what is, perhaps, worthy to he regarded as the most rennu-kable address of Paul on record. Acts xxiii, 34 — xxvi. It Ramsay suggests that Luke is so very minute in describing the generally favorable attitude of Paul's Roman judges because the Roman power, at the time of writing, threatened to begin a general perse- cution. STUDY XIX.— Second Day. Memory Verse, .\ct9 xxii, 21. Read Acts xxi, 17 — xxii. Paul does not contradict his previous character and words in his effort to conciliate » Ramsay, m\ 303, 321. ■w.M ■^^/'ifc'^siaiiA 128 Studies in the Apostolic Church. the Church, nor in the many expressions in Lis address to the people used with a like purpose. Recall his words, 1 Cor. ix, 20; x, 33, 33, and see remarks of Cam. Bib., 21t5, 305, 307. STUDY XIX.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxiii, 11. Read Acta xxiii. Bartlet, N. C. B., 346, considers that the meeting of the members of the Sanhedrin was not an ordinary one, that the chief captain probably pre- sided, and that Paul, ver. 5, did not distinguish Ananias as the high priest. Su^rsestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. For the map work let there be a careful study of the route from Jerusalem to Ciesai-ea, with local associations. Hurlbut, 126-128. ScRiPTURBOrTLiNE. — Paul's reception at Jerusalem and ef- fort at conciliation, Acts xxi, 17-26; False story, riot, arrest, xxi, 27-36; Address to the people, xxi,37— xxii, 21; Disclosure of his Roman citizenship, xxii, 22-29; Address before the San- hedrin, xxii, 30— xxiii, 11; Removal to Cwsarea, xxiii, 12-36; Case before Felix, xxiv, 1-23 ; Before Felix and Drusilla, 24-27 ; Before Festus, and appeal co Oaesai, xxv, 1-12; Before Agrippa and Bernice, xxv, 13 — xxvi, 32. STUDY XIX.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxiv, 25. Read Acts xxiv. Though his helpers were permitted to visit Paul, and probably some of them, as Luke, to remain with him, his restraint for these two years and those which follow at Rome, must have been a severe trial to his active spirit. Yet there were compensations, lie was in need of rest, after a long period of intense labors and sufferings arising from the perils of travel and persecution, 2 Cor. xi, 23-28, and these years of enforced quiet were a time of preparation for a period of marvel- ous productiveness in the "Prison Epistles" written at Rome. ^.:-»ii"Tiv» iMiP m mis^4f.^'.s,ym;^ In Rome and Elsewhere. 129 General References. I'urveH, sees. 238-243; Bartlet, 160-168; Kainsny, 303-313; C. H., II, 237-298; Stalker, l-:6-164; Farrar (St. P.), 621-661; Findliiy, Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 712, 713. STUDY XIX.-Fifth Day. Memory V.'r»e, .\ct9 xxv, 11. Kfiid .\(t.s .vxv. If the date of the arrival of Porcius Fcstiis as governor coiiM hv fixed, it winiM alTord a val- uable basis tor tlie chronology of the later ehaj>'er.s of Acts, and even of Paul'd whole life, but no re.-ailt com- miinding general acceptance has been reached, dates as far apart a.s 55 and 61 A. I), having been assigned for the recall of Felix. Hartlet says," "In our view the summer of 58 (.")!<) is a probalile dat<; for the arrival of FcstuH." Thia follows the view of Turner.' Of these two yeara Ramsay accepts 59 A. D., and with this the textbook agrees. Topics for Personal Investisation and for Assignment in Claes-work. 1. The new hirth and witness-bearing of the believer, Act.s v,31,32; ix, 3-6, 18-20; xxvi, 16; James i, 18; 1 Thess. i, 6-8 ; Rom. X, 9, 10; Titus, jii, 5; Heb. xiii, 15. 16; Rev. xii, 11 ; I John, iv, 7, 14. 2. .Jewish vows. C. H., II, 241-244; Hust. Bib. Diet., Vow and Nazirite. 3. The various courts of the temple and regulations respect- ing them. Raeltham, 46, 47, 416, 417 ; C. H., II, 246-251. 4. The Hebrew or Aramaic language. Bib. Diet. 5. The official organization of tiie Jews, sucli us high priest, Sanhedrin. Raclcham, 44, 45 ; Bib. Diet. 6. Roman military organization for Judea. C. H., 276-279; Rackham, Ivii, 146, 147, 416, 417. 7. The Roman governor, and n study of Felix and F"estU8. Rackham, 409, 451^55; C. H., II, 274-276; Bib. Diet. 8. King Agrippa II, Rackham, 455-458; Farrar (St. P.), 556,557; C. H., II, 272-275. 294 ; Bib. Diet. 9. Some one to memorize and recite Paul's defense before Agrippa. II IN.C. B., 368. 9 •Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 120. I 30 Studies in the Apostolic Church. m STUDY XlX.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, A-iU xxvi, 26. Read Acts xxvi, Coiu-emiiig Paul's defense before Agrippa, Rackham says, *' This speech marks tlie suprt-nie effort, both of tiie speaker and liis reporter. It is one of the most finished passages in the Acts." Questions for Written Answers. 1. AVhat journey made it very clear that danger could not turn Paul aside from duty? 2. On what i)rftext wrs he arrested in Jerusalem? 8. Why was he taken to Casarea ? 4. How do p'eli.x and Kestus compare as to character? 6. Why did I'aul appeal to Ciesar? 6. Why did Kestus wish Paul to sjieak before Kinp Agrippa? 7. What great event in his life did Paul make prominent in his addresses at Jerusalem and Caesarea? STUDY XIX.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Acta xxvi, 26. Fix on chapter-names for Acts xxi-xxvi and write them in your notebook, and for the story read Bird, 414-459. Personal Thought. "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled." Acts xxiv, 25, Authorized Version. Paul in jail could cause the walls to rock and the doors to open; in bonds could make the proud Roman ruler tremble; in chains could underrain-j the throne of the Ciesars in Rome itself, and all through his faith in God and the power which was given him. Is there anything too hard for God ? Read Jer. xxxii, 17-27. m i! PART v.— TWENTIETH WEEK. PAUL'S (JOIJKSK TO ROME. From C re« to F«lr HavciM. STUDY XX.-Piry( Day. Memory Viritfs, Ant« xxvii,23,24. At last the liotir lias come when Paul ran start on his long-hoped-for ooursu to Roine. The time is j)rol>al)iv about the middle of Auj^imt, 59 A. I). With other prison- ers he is delivered into the charge of .Inliuri, a nix, forty miles to the northwest. It was not long after passing Cape Matala, four miles west of Fair Havens, that a "tempestuous wind . . . called Eura- quilo" caught the ship, and it would probably have foun- iM s Bamiay, 814,315, 321. 131 132 Studies in the Apostolic Church. dered had it not boon iildo to j^iiiii tlio shelter of the ishmd of Caudii, tweiity-throo miles to Iwward. Hero tlio smull itout was drawn on board, tin- ship was under- girded, and all sail got down excx'pt just enough to keep the ship's head to the wind, which was a steady east- northeasterly j,'ale. Acts xxvii, !»-17. FromCauda T|i,. aim Was to retard the progress of the ship and ' avoid the danger of the African fjiiieksands. These were far away, but the wind ini^lit lust many (hiys. So, hold- ing the ship up to the gale, they took the wind and waves on her i)roadside, and slowly drifted, slightly north of west. It is found that a sliip thus drifting from Cauchi would, on the fourteenth night, he near Melita.' Paul Be. In the extren)e peril and despair of this company the RelTTeader! t-'hristiau faith •iid personality of \\u\ bring Iiim to lead- ership. He '^ta ■ forth in the midst and exhorts them "to be of good eneer." (iod, by a night vision, assured him that he is to "stand before Ciesar;" their lives are all granted him also, though by a wreck they "must be oast upon a certain island." Later, when the crisis ap- proaclies of beaeiiing the ship and making their way to the shore, Paul prepares them for it by first invoking the blessing of (Jod upon the food, eating himself and inspir- ing them to eat. Julius's regard for the apostle causes him to spare the lives of all tht prisoners when the soldiers proposed that they be slain. Then the centurion "com- manded that *hey who could swim sliould first cast them- selves overboard, and get first to land; and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass that they all escuiped safe to land." Acts xxvii, 18-4-4. His Work at During their three months' stay upon the island, Paul "* wrought miracles and taught the people the way of salva- tion. The first cure was that of the father of Publius, "the chief man of the island." "And when this was > James Smith, " Voyage and Slitpwreekof St. Paul;" Ramtay, I In Rome and Elsewhere. 33 done, the rest aUo tlmt !:ad ilisfiiJit's in the ulmul cunio, and were cured." When the com puny were about to sail fiT Rome the Melitese supplied them with such thinfrs as were needed. Ants xxviii, 1-10. The .ship stopped at Syracuse three days. Then, Me Ap«roacb> tliough the hri'fzc was not from the south, tliey were ahic «••"«« tn«"« 11 t * 1 Rome oy good seanmiiship lo work up to Hliegium." Two days hiter they arrived at I'utcoli, the point at whicli pusrten- gers debarked, wbile tlie HJiip, with its iarj,'o of wheat, passed on to O.siia. Tiie Ciiristiaiis of I'uteoli pcrsuaot-d i'aul to tarry for a week with them, which allowed the Ufwg of his arrival in Italy to reai'b Rome. The apostle was attended by Aristardius of Tlu'ssalonira and Luke, perhaps others; but as he now draws near the centtT of Roman power and j;lory, he feels a sense of depression. How can he, a fettered prisoner, subdue this vast strong- hold of the world's life "to the obedience of Christ?" But a band of Roman Christians meet him at the Market of Appius, forty-three miles from tiie city, and another at the Three Taverns, ten miles farther on. lie is greatly cheered, and enters the city with the step of a conqueror. Acts xxviii, 11-16. Now, as your work is drawing to a close, is the time for unsparing toil. To have anything like a clear view of the histor>' of the Apostolic Church is worth a large amount of sacrifice. STUDY XX.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxvii, 25. Read Acts xxvii. Notice especially how Paul comes to the front. Ramsay, 3'JO, eays that he is he:e seen "on a liigher pUme than common men, advising more skillfully than the skilled mariners, maintaining hope ' Ramsay, »te. ii 134 Studies in the Apostolic Church. B anil r(.uruf,'(« when all wt-rc in dcHimir, and bromliiiig hiH (•(.iiruj,'" into others, phiyiiiK tht- part of a true Uomati in u Human sliii), looked uj» to even by the tunturioii, and in his single self the savior of the lives of all." STUDY XX.— Third Day. Memory Verse, AcU xiviii, 2. Koad Aets xxviii, 1-15. It should be observed that the word '•barbarians" is uwed in ver. 2 in the special sense of those who do not have Greek culture. Tlieso people acted with "no uncommon kindness" rather than in a barbarous manner. SuBjreBtiona for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Driiw a very simple outline map, plapinj? especiHlly the inlands and Jiarbors named, and mark tli. course of Paul from CwsareH to Home. See Map 2, also Hurlbut, VJ»-l*0. SiiHiiTrRR OiTMNK.— Course from Cmsarea to Fair Ilavenii, Acts xxvii, 1-8; Council us to farther course, 9-12; Aii.mpt to makn I'h.inix, 13; First stage of Btorni and efforts to help the ship, 14-Jfi; Despair, 2(); Piiul'a fnith luised on a vision. 21-28; The brink of shipwreck, 27-29; Paid aj,'uin to the fore, 30-38; Beaching llie ship, 39-41; All are saved, 42-44; Incidents in Melita, xxviii, 1-10; From Melita to Rome, 11-15. STUDY XX.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts ii, 88. Review reading of Acts i, ii, Ascension and Pente- cost. The brief Scripture material for this and the next two Studies permits n rapid review reading of Acts during the three weeks. Such a survey should be undertaken with joy. The book is an historical nuisterjiiece. It can be road through aloud in two hours. The ten sections of the review reading, therefore, average but twelve min- utes of actual time required. IIow frequently an hour or more is given to the reading of other literature. One's feeling for the Bible and communion with its life can not be regarded as complete until he finds it a delight to read more than one chapter at a sitting. Ask that the Holy Spirit may illumine the Word fur you as you read. In Rome and Elsewhere. ^3S a Ouneral References. l*urv.«i», !«■.•«. 2M, -'4.5; liapfl.-t. I6>*. 173-175; Itam-ny. 314- 347; C. H . II. ;fl»fr-3«3: Sulk.T. IM-ir,? ; K:ipr«r (St. I' ), .5«l- 677; Ood.'t,4i3, 414; FiiidUy. IIhhI. Bib. I)ii-t , 11,713. STUDY XX.— Fifth Day. M.-iUDry V.th... A.-t« v. 32. Rfvii'w niidiiitr of Ai-ts iii — v, (irowth of the Chun h ill .I(Tiisal»"iii. "Tho ffrciit thing which St. Luko want.s to ri'conl are tlie deeds and doctriiu-.s of .It-sus. Tlii.s is till' .siibji'ct of the (iospol and Aot.M uiikf. Hut thon* in u difTfrciict'. In \ftn, Jexiis i.s no longer prc-n-nt in tlio lli'sh. but works through his Sjiirit. The Actn in n-aily the complftioi! of the (ioHjud . . . and may be faihd tliu Gospel of the Holy Giio.st.'" Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. The unfuiling Divine care over the believer. Matt, vi, 32, 33; Luke xii, 6, 7; John x, 14. 15; .\ets v, IB, 20; .FaintM i, 17; KcU xviii.9, 10; 2 Tlies.i. ili,3; 2 Cor. i, ID; Koin. viii,;U; Act* J^xiii, 11; nviil, 23, 24; 2 Tinj. iv, 17, H; Jud.- 24; Rev. zzi, 3, 4. 2. Ships and navigation at this time. Hamsay, 324-330- C. !i.. II. 3(X>-307. 3. Storms on tlie Mediterranean. C. H., II, 32.'>-,334 ; Ram- say, 326-.330. 4. Melita. C. II.. 11, 341-^,47 ; Bib. Diet 6. The Appian Way and other roads centering in Rome. C. H., 11,3.54-384. STUDY XX.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Acts vii, 65. Review reading of Acts vi — viii, Choice of the Seven Helpers, and Aecnunts of Stephen and Philip. Note tliis fact, tliat incidental needs, arising in tiie lii.storv of tlie Cliurch, liave ofun called forth agencies which thw Holy Spirit has used far beyond the oiiginal pur{M)f»e. These helpers were cho.sen to "serve tables," but one of them started the broader moveraout iu Jerusalem, and an- ^1 ' Hackbatn. 136 Studies in the Apostolic Church. other carried it beyond the city walls. But when chosen, they were "men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom." Acts ti, 3. Questions for Written Answers. 1. In what year and about what month did the Tojage to Rome probably occur ? 2. On which side of Cyprus and along what coasts was the early part of the voyage on account of western winds ? 8. From what direction was the wind during the great storm? 4. What general plan was used to keep the vessel from the African coast ? 5. In what ways did Paul's newer of leadership appear? 8. Why did Paul feel depressed, and how was he encour- aged aa he diew near Rome ? STUDY XX.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse. Personal Thought. "And so we came to Rome." Acts xxviii, 14. As I consider the wonderful providences of God as re- vealed in the lives of men, and as I see his providential dealings with the nations of the earth, can I doubt that he will lead me safely if I but trust him fully ? Read Psa. xziii. PART v.— TWUNTY-PIRST WEEK. MINISTRY IX BONDS ^ND CLOSING COURSE UNTIL MAHTYRDOM. STUDY XXI.—First Day. Memory Verse. Acts xxviii, 18. Professor Ramsay has an interesting paragraph on the Finances of financial questions involved in Paul's residence at Csesa- **" '""^•"»»' rea and Rome, his appeal to Ca?sar, and his trial. He Trial.'" dwells upon the respect with which the apostle was treated by the Roman governors and King Agrippa, and by Drusilla and Bernice. By his appeal to the emperor he was undoubtedly choosing an expensive line of trial, but he weighed the cost, and reckoned the gain which would come to the Church if the supreme court pronounced in his favor. Then in Rome he was able to hire a lodg- ing for himself and to live there, also maintaining, ii is thought, the soldier who guarded liim. It seems prob- able, therefore, that througli death some inheritance had come to him, or he now felt justified in using such for- tune as he possessed. Others have dwelt more upon the pathetic side of these years, but it is well to regard both aspects of the situation. The point is also in debate as to where the apostle Place and resided, or by what officer he was held in detention. ^^''^'D*- The older view that it was the "captain of the guard,'" *" ""' or " chief of the camp,"' meaning the Prjetorian guard, may be replaced by the view that it was chief of the force serving as a link between the emperor and the army, in which Julius, who brought Paul to Rome, was an officer, having their camp on the Caelian Hill. This is the view of Mommsen.' Acts xxviii, 16. ' Acts xxvlll, 1«, A. V. « Acts Tivtll, 10, Marg. Am. V. •Favored by Ramsay. R48: Raokimm, 499, SOii; Flndlay Haiit Bib Diet., Ill, 713; Purvea, do., IV, 88. 137 hi I.'! f- 'ill i 1 1^ 138 Studies in the Apostolic Church. witness to "After three days," perhaps given to rest, prayer, and **** fellowship with the Church, Paul calls the chief men of the Jews together, that, as in other cities, he may first bear witness of Christ to them, before taking up work with the Gentiles. But the result is as it has been else- where, and he cites the solemn prophetic utterance of "the Holy Spirit through Isaiah," which seals up the record of Israel on the whole as rejecting "this salvation of God." Acts xxviii, 17-28. End of Acts. The words which form a fitting close to this remark- "in Bonds. '^"^^^ record of Acts are as follows: "And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him." Luke, as the apostle's physician and amanuensis, probably continued at his side. Visitors and delegates from various Churches brought presents and greetings. Trusted helpers carried on a vigorous and far-reaching campaign. Treasured letters were written to individuals and Churches, of which four, that to Philemon, and those to the Colossians, Ephe- sians, and Philippians, have come down to us as golden fruit of mature graces and powers. Such was the min- istry "in bonds." Acts xxviii, 30, 31. His Trial, Re- "The trial seems to have occurred toward the end *"Ma'rty'rt^m! "^ ^- ^- '^l-'" R^ickham, in his fresh and masterly work, reaches this conclusion: "As a result of his trial, Paul was, in answer to his expectation, set at liberty; for there was no real case against him. This fact we infer from the Pastoral Epistles, which are much later in style than those of the iniprisonment, and can nowhere be fitted into the apostle's previous life." This writer, with other eminent scholars, favors the view that after his release Paul resumed his missionary and apostolic labo' 3 until the persecution by Xero, when he was sum- moncd t o Eome and suffered martyrdom. " One day, > Kamsay, 867. In Rome and Elsewhere. ^9 In the winter of 64-65 A. D., he was led out on the Ostian Way and there beheaded . . . and his body was laid where now stands the Church of St. Paul Without-the- Walls.'" The most helpful framework of Paul's last journeys Framcwoiic of is, i)erhaps,that presented by Professor Burton, 'and wliich ""^d^LettTr*** will be understood to have only the authority of early Ch'irch tradiiion, and the allusions in the later Epistles. 1. It is possible that he went to Asia and Macedonia in accordance with his expressed intention. Phil, ii, 24; Philemon i'i. 2. He perhaps went to Spain. This had been at one time his intention, Rom. xv, 24, 28, and Clement of Rome, who wrote near the end of the first century, speaks of him as having come to the extremity of the West. 3. He returned to the East and visited Ephesus, where he left Timothy in charge. 1 Tim. i, 3. 4. He went into Macedonia; thence, or soon after leaving there, he wrote to Timothy. 1 Tim. i, 3. 5. He went from Macedonia to Miletus, stopping at Troas on the way. 2 Tim. iv, 13. At Miletus he left Trophimus. 2 Tim. iv, 20. 6. From Miletus he went to Crete, where he left Titus. Titus i, 5. 7. From Crete he went to Corinth, where he left Erastus, 2 Tim. iv, 20, and whence he probably wrote to Titus. 8. From Corinth he probably went to Nicopolis, Titus iii, 12, and it was quite possible that here he was arrested and sent to Rome. 9. In Rome he wrote Second Timothy, ind here he was put to death. v" } Ml t Hi > "The Acta ol the Apostles," by Richard Belwurd Rackham, 1901, pp.510, 511. <"The Records and Letters of the Apostolic Age," by Ernest De Witt Burton, pp. 225, 22fl. 1 40 Studies in the Apostolic Church. ir r The lesson of the week is important, not merely for its own sake, but as gi. ing the historical setting of some of Paul's most important Epistles. STUDY XXI.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Acta xxviii, 28. Road Acts xxviii, 10-28. It may be said that the cen- ter of Christianity has now been transferred from the Jews to the Gentiles, from Jerusalem to Rome, and this failure of the Roman Jews to respond to the Gospel mes- sage is the final step. STUDY XXI.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Phil, iv, 22. Read Acts xxviii, 30, 31; Col. iv, 7-14; Phil, i, 12- (4; iv, 23. In the full title, ver. 31, "the Lord Jesus Christ," it is no longer the historian, but Luke the be- liever who speaks. The allusions in the Roman Epistles give valuable side-lights on the apostle's activities, help- ers, and influence during the two years of detention in Rome. Sugsrestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. For map work let there be a study of the city of Rome, and a construction of Paul's later course, or Fourth Missionary Journey, as far as to Ephesus, in accordance with the outline, 1-3, at the close of the Narrative. For plan of Rome see frontis- piece, C. H., II, or Hurlbut, 128; and for other constructions of Paul's last journeys, Hurlbut, 129-131 ; Rackham, 510. Also, for completion of Paul's journeys, see Study XXVII, Third Day, followed by Study XXVI, Third Day. Scripture Outline.— Paul's situation. Acts xxviii, 16; His conference with the Jews, 17-22; His final warning to tliem, 23-28; His two years of unhindered preachiuL and teaching in Rome, 30, 31. (Ver. 29 not in R. V.) STUDY XXI.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts x, 44. Review reading of Acts ix — xii, Continued Church Ex- pansion, and Ilerodian Persecution. This is the longest In Rome and Elsewhere. 141 section assigned for review reading — 146 verses. It can be read in fifteen or twenty minutes. "I think I hear some one say that their usual portion has been about twelve verses a day. Yes; and, if the truth is told, they should add that, wlien the twelve verses have been read, they have taken up another book and read some hundreds of its pages. Leave the other book for a while and give tiio Word of God the same opportunity."— G. Campbell Morgan. Ghenaral References. Purves, sees. 245-248, 262-284, 270, 271 ; Bartlet, 175-179, 191-202; Ramsay, 347-362; C. H., II. 364-380, 415-123. 433-448, 460,461, 465-475, 485-488; Stalker, 157-167; Farrar (St. Paul), 577-688; Godet, 529-538 ; Findlay, Hast. Bib. Diet, II, 713-715. STUDY XXI.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xiii, 48. Review reading of Acts xiii— xv, .35, First Missionary Journey and Jerusalem Council. Note how the Council was a sequel of the new conditions created by the first journey. Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Class-work. 1. The lifelong service of the believer, Matt, xxiv, 13; 2 Thess. ii, 15-17; Gal. vi,9; ICor. xv, 58; Rom. xiv, 8; Acta xxvi.22; Phil, i, 21; Titus ii, 11-14; 2Tim. iv, 7; 2 Peter i, 10, 11; Heb. xii, 1, 2; Kev. ii, 10. 2. The city of Rome. C. H., II, 361-370; Bib. Diet. 3. The camp of the Peregrini on the Caelian Hill, perhaps the place of Paul's detention. Ramsay, 316, 347-349 ; Rackham, 478, 479, 499, 500; Hast. Bib. Diet., I\^ 33. 4. Method of guai-ding a prisoner. Acts xxviii, 16. Bird, 419, 420, 431, 4S0; Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, 103. 5. The court for Paul's trial. Ramsay, 357; Hast. Bib. Diet., IV. 33. 6. The probable site of the house of Aquila and Prisca at this time. Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, 310; C. H.. II, 370. 7. Date and mode of Paul's death. Purves, sees. 270, 271, p 322; Rackham, 511: Ilast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 715. "fW ' — -M-l TIT 1 irso. Tiie right to freedom was confessed and undoubted, 'jut the needs of the Gentile world demanded that it should be postponed; Paul yielded to the Gentile need and inspired tlie runaway to return. . . Onesimus was not sent back but went back. Nothing could be more voluntary than his return to Philemon. All that Paul did was to expel his old nature, to give him a new will."' >N.C. B.,31. • Hatheson, 2S7, 2(iH, im. 10 » Kumsay, !!<». ill 146 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STUDY XXa.-Thlrd Day. Memory Vene, Aeti xix. 10. Review reading of Acts xviii, 23— xxi, 15, Third Mis- sionary Journey. Always connect this journey in tliouj,'lit Willi the evangelization of the great Roman I'rovin o of Asia, and the writing of the "Noon" or Controversial Epistles — Oalatians, First and Second Corinthians, and Romans. Suffffestlons for Map "Work and Scripture Outllue. Draw outline map and mark the route if Onosimus went to Rome from Colosse by way of Ephesus, Troan, Philippi, thence over the Egnatian Way to Dyrrachium, and on to Hume, and retumtHl by going to Puteoli and tak" ig boat to Ephesus. tkiRiPTURKOcTLiNK.— Salutation, Philem. 1-3; Paul's thiinks- giving and prayer, 4-7; Plea for Onesimus, 8-17; Promise to be Philemon's guarantor, 18-22; Closing greetings and ben- ediotion, 23-25. STUDY XXII.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxii, 28. Review reading of Acts xxi, 16 — xxiii, Paul's Contests in Jerusalem and Removal I. Ciesarea. Note this sug- gestion in Scripture reading: "I have personally fc \ it of enormous advantage to read aloud. It is so y, when reading silently, for the mind to wander u^ n a side issue. Reading aloud is a great aid to concentra- tion of thought." — G. Campbell Morgan. General References. Purves, sec. 264; Bartlet, 190, 192; McClymont, 9&-98; Stevens, 450, 451 ; Ramsay, 34^,358; C. H., 11,579-383; Stalker, 160, 161; Farrar (M. B.), 341-354; (St. P.), 622-630; Godet, 462-461 ; Hast. ] . Diet. STUDY XXn.— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Acts xxvi, 28. Review rending of Acts xxiv — xxvi, Detention and Addresses at Ca?sj)rea. Dwell upon the faithfulness, courage, and quenchless love of their souls which led In Rome and Elsewhere. 147 I'uul to bring tho truth home to Felix und A{,'rii.p,i; uml, though they at the time put it iwide, we kiu.w not what power it may have had with them before death rame. Topics for Personal Investltratlon and for Assignment In Olass-work. 1. The ciinisiderBteju'ss and courtotiy of the b«'liever, JameM iii. 17; Gal. vi, 1,2; Koin. xiv,21; xv, 1 ; xvi,l-4, 13; IMiilem. 9,10,14; Kph. iv.l'ft; Phil. ii,8-S; ITim. v, 1; 2 Tim. ii, 24, 25; 1 IVt.r iii, 8, 0; v, 1-6; 2 Peter iii, 16; Heb. xiii, 1-3- 8 John 2. 2. Slavery in the Roman Empire. Farrar (M. B), 842-348- Bib. Diet. 3. Onesimus, now " n brother beloved," ver. 16. Dods 149- Mathegon, 262-289. ' 4. A study of tho personality of Philemon. Godet, 463, 464 • Ilaat. Bib. Diet., Philemon. 6. The Christian virtue of courtesy. Farrar (M B ) 349 350; Stnlker, 181. 6. The Ei)isth> ns an example of the art of letter-writing Farrar (St. P.), 822. 623; N. C. B., 28-31. 7. Its intluenee in the abolition of slavery. Farrar (St P ) 625-627; God.-t,460, 461 ; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 833,834; IV,468.' STUDY XXII.— Sixth Day. Memory Verses, Aets xxviii 80, 31. ' Review veading of Act.s xxvii, xxviii, Voyago and Min- istry in Homo. Throe idea,s stand out from the record in Acts: (1) The Holy Spirit as tho Divine Agent be- hind the apostles and other witnesses; (2) The set op- position of Judaism as a national religion to the Gospel; (3) The Gospel adapted to all people, and its heralds protected by the ollicers of the empire. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What qualities in Paul's nature are disclosed by the Epii- tle to Philemon? 2. Wild are Appliia and Arohippus supposed to be? 3. Briefly skeleh thr vuao of Onesimus. 4. How did Christianity deal v^•ith slavery? 5. Wiiat is the iuiiueuce of this Epistle on emancipation? Ik 'Tap -9an 148 Studies in :!ie Apostolic Church. STUDY XXn.— S "T*:.!. Day. Memory Vtme, Philem. 21, The Acta » ' t in thedo chupte tliey may prefei Man; 4. First A. en; 7. Stephei. 11. Peter Approve- \i. ti Antioch; 14. ii .;; i\, 15. Jerusalem Con uil; !'> ■< A;>v lea may be brielly 8umtn«-(l up uiiu'^b, ' t all uru free to use othtTH iis i. , u- rirfiun; 2. I'entecost; 3. Luiiie I'rtt . Sfcond Arrest; «. Seven Ilclp- S. 1 Ml lip; r. Sjtul; 10. Cornelius; . First Journey, to Dcrbo, and Return; fourncy, to Philippi; ley Endod, Third Be- er 17. To Athens; s. Sen, , gun; 19. To Kpl siu, ;i'. V> Miletus; 21. To Jurusa lem and Arrest; 'ii. Public D. fense; 23. Council, Con- spiraty, Caesarea; 24. Felix; 25. Festus; 28. Agrippa; 27. Shipwreck; 28. Rome. for love's sake." Personal Tbouffht. "That which is befitting . . Philem. 8, 9. The true Christian ideal will ever insist that there is no conflict between genuine piety and the most complete intellectuality and propriety. Religion, good sense, and good manners go well together. Does your life have the winning power uttaching to everything that is done "for love's sake?" Read 1 Peter iii, 8-16. ff .- xta^m^L ' fflhiX.ir'-: ••. v* JL.!ft,'w»^ "^ti^^ansj -.L^M''j^KS.'iir.iAa^:fj'iiFK^i:«^issr^s^. . l* r PART V. -TWENTY-THIRD WEEK. CinUST KXALTKD. KRHitliS COUKE( TKI) AT CO Loss K. STUDY XXni.-Plret Day. Memory Vowe, Col. i, ll. Of fhi. four Kpinrles written In- Puul during hin two years of detention at Rome, Piiilcmon, Colossiuns, and Epheaians form a group, probably prepjirod in the early part of 61 A. I)., and conveyed by Tychicus at one time to those for whom they were destined in Asia Minor, The two Epistles first named are linked together by the personal greetings in each, and by the fact that they both went to Colosse; and Colossians is connected with Ephesians by various points in its contents, and almost certainly by an express reference to that Epistle under the title, "The Epistle from Laodicea." Col. iv, 16. The great trade route eastward from Ephesus, aft.r traversing a part of the valley of the Meander River, pasKed through the valley of its tributary, the Lycus. It was ,i region rich in floeks and noted for its fine wools. Three towns of the valley are mentioned in this Epistle— llier-^ apolis on the north side of the Lycus; Ljvodicea, on tlio Bouth side; and, about a dozen miles to the east of these, Colosse. The last was dwindling in population at this period, while Laodicea was gaining and becoming weidthy. Some of Paul's converts in Ephc'jus may have gone to these smaller cities and helped to start the Christian movement, but it had been cared for and developed by Epaphras; and his report to Paul at Rome was doubtless the occasion of these Epistles. Col. i, 2, 7 ; ii, 1 ; iv, 12, 13. Paul addresses the Colossians as " saints and . brethren," which is similar to the terms used in writin'^ to the Romans and Ephesians, and may be chosen rather 149 Three Connected tplstle*. Cltl:s and Churches In the Lycua valley. Epistle to the Colossians, Christ Exalted. I.S 1.1 T«;s^!w;^s»aiS£i« \<*^ \ TTV^'^^Tltr MifT -| - Ml 150 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Error* to be Corr ec t e d. than the term "Church" in earlier letters, because he is not known personally to these Churches, and would at once ex- press his kindly Christian regard. He is thankful for their faithful following of the gospel. He exalts Christ as "the image of the invisible God," and the head and source of the universe; "for in him were all things created in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; and he is before all things, and in him all things consist." He is also head of the Church and pre- eminent in the order of spiritual life, " the first-born from the dead," " having made peace through the blood of his cross," to reconcile all things unto the Father, " whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens." The Colossians have already begun to experience the power of this life, but the apostle yearns in suffering to see the full riches and mystery of the gospel fulfilled in them, that he "may present every man perfect in Christ." Col. i. A foundation is thus laid by which to correct the errors threatening the Church. These are of a new and peculiar type. In some respects they appear as the germ of the Gnostic doctrines which arose in later times. But other parts of the false teaching resemble the ideas of the Essenes and the Jewish Kabbala.' It was held that God is good, but matter is evil and the source of evil, and therefore the physical world could not come directly from God. It is separated from him by a great gulf, which is bridged by a chain of beings, half abstractions and half persons. The lowest of these have created the material universe and now govern it, and their favor is to be won by worship, and since matter is evil, all who would attain the higher stages of Christian life and enter into the " fullness " of spiritual privilege must overcome the ma- terial world by ascetic observances. > O. H., II, 38»-88«; Qodet, 482 434; Bartlet, 180; McOlymont, M. In Rome and Elsewhere. 151 The apostle saw that these were very dangerous errors, Apostolic and he warns the Colossians against them. "Take heed ^""""fl""*' lest there shall be any one that maketh sjioil of you through ing. his philosophy and vain deceit. . . . Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast- duy or a new moon or a sabbath day. . . . Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and wor- shiping of angels. . . . Why ... do ye subject yourselves to ordinances," or rules of these teachers, such as, " Handle not, nor taste, nor touch ?" Rather he would say, In Christ is the fullness, "and in him ye are made full." He has created the world, and in him it stands. It is not the source of evil: use it to his glory, lie fills all the space between God and man, and is supreme over all gradations of angels : do not fear nor worship them. In him are hidden "all the tr isures of wisdom and knowl- edge :" be "rooted and buiided up in him, and established in your faith." Col. ii — iii, 4. Tht practical part of the Epistle, and the closing direc- closing Poc* tions and personal greetings are especially rich and full *'""* "' "** of suggestion, and will be noticed in the constructive readings. Col. iii, 5 — iv. ■■ i\ •1 !» ! • 1 ,-' The reader must guard against the feeling of hopeless discouragement that comes at first to the student of this complicated Epistle. He will do well if he strive for some one definite thing, say a clear conception of its practical aim. By so doing its unity and real intelligibility will ere long break upon his mind. STUDY XXin.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Col. i, 18. Read Col. i, 1-23. Xote the order of thought: through Christ was creation; through him is reconcilia- tion. " What does it avail for us that the far-reaching 152 Studies in the Apostolic Church. power of Christ's cross shoots out magnetic forces to the uttermost verge of the heavens, and binds the whole uni- verse by silken blood-red cords to God, if it does not bind me to him in love and longing?" ' STUDY XXm.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Col. ii, 6. Read Col. i, 24 — ii, 7. Mark how greatly the apostle is drawn out even toward a Church that lie has not founded. "His sufferings," ver. 24, are regarded as filling up "the afflictions of Christ," in the sense that what Christ's members sufier, he suffers by his oneness with them as Head of the Church and by his sympathy. Sugrgrestions for Map "Work and Scripture Outline. An enlarged map of the region and route from Ephesus to Colosse, and a study of the situation at Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, amid the Alpine scenery of valley and mountain, will be interesting.* ScKiPTURK OuTLiNK.— Salutation, Col. i, 1, 2; thanksgiving, 8-8; the pre-eminence of Christ, &-23; Paul's sufferings and solicitude, i, 24 — ii, 7; correction of eiTors, ii, 8— iii, 4; old life to be put off, iii, 5-11; new life to be put on, 13-17; Christian family life, iii, 18 — iv, 1 ; prayerful requests and commenda- tions, 2-9, 16, 17; personal greetings and benediction, 10-15, 18. STUDY XXni.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Col. iii, 1. Read Col. ii, 8 — iii, 4. "The first two chapters of this letter . . . contain thoughts unsurpassed in all Paul's writings for the depth of their spiritual wisdom. These Asiatics were lovers of knowledge." The apostle meets their desires. "There is no book of the New Testament that will better repay careful study.'" Apply the passage set for to-day to spiritualism, theosophy, and kindred errors of our time. > AlL'xander Macljarrn, V.xp. Btb., HO. •SeeHurlbut, ia!-l)M; Ramsay (C. R. E.), -JSe-lSO, and maps; Godet, 414,415. » N. C. B., 26, 27. In Rome and Elsewhere. 153 General Keferences. Purves, sees. 249-253; Bartlet, 184-192; McClymont, 91-95; Stevens, 347, 848, 357, 395-402, 408, 409, 467 ; Ramsay, 349, 368, 359; C. H., II, 382-394; Stalker, 161; Farrar (St. P.), «05-«22; Godet, 414-452; Hast. Bib. Diet. STUDY XXm .— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Col. iii, 13. Read Col. iii, 5 — iv, 1. Consider the grand way in which Christ brings all upon a common ground of unity, ver. 11. "Scythian" by climax means the lowest type of people of that time. Topics for Personal Investiaration and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. The pre-eminence of Christ to the believer. Acts xxii, 7-10; 2Cor. iv, 5; x,5;Rom. i, 4; v, 21;x, 4; Col. ii, 9, 10; Eph. iv, 15; Phil, iii, 7; 1 Tim. i, 12; Titus, ii, 13; 1 Peter, iii, 16; Heb. xii,2; Rev. i, 17, 18. 2. Colosse. Farrar (St. P.), 607; N. 0. B., 12; Hast. Bib. rict. 8. Christ and the universe. Matheeon, 216-234 : Exp Bib , 76-81 ; Bartlfit, 188, 189. 4. Errore corrected pertaining to angel worship, ritualism, asceticism. Purves, sec. 251 ; Farrar (St. P.), 609. 5. Paul's practical precepts for parents and children. Ram- say, 35-37; Exp. Bib., 340-345. 6. The Christian view for masters and slaves. Stalker, 153, 164; Exp. Bib., 345-353. 7. A study of Tychicus, Aristarchus, and Epaphras. Exp. Bib., 372-398; Bib. Diet. STUDY XXm.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Col. iv, 2. Read Col. iv, 2-18. " Tychicus may stand as repre- senting the greatness and sacredness of small and secular service done for Clirist. . . . His business was to run Paul's errands, and, like a true man, he ran them faith- fully. . . . Epaphras is for us the type of the highest service which love can render. ... lie could not have written this letter, but he could pray. Love has no higher way of utterance than prayer." MacLaren. 1 1 1 1 iii ^j 154 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Quei'tlons for Written Answers. 1. Which of the Epistles written during Paul's two years at Rome form a group ? 2. At about what time were they written ' 8. What three cities of the Lycus Valley are mentioned in this letter? 4. What errors of our day might be compared to those ap- pearing at ColoHse? 5. What worker in the Churches of the Lycus Valley brought report of the Colossian errors to Paul ? 6. Who conveyed this Epistle to Colosse? STUDY XXin.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Col. iv, 6. Personal Thought. *' Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt." Col. iv, 6. By nothing is a disciple of Christ more clearly marked than by his use of the gift of speech; not merely the negative power of control and restraint, but the poditive influence of Christ dwelling within, so that every word from the lips may be " with grace." Are your words always filled with the grace of good cheer and thoughtful love ? Are they seasoned with the " salt " of purity, reverence, and truth ? Read Eph. y, 4. PART V. -TWENTY-FOURTH WBDK. THE IDEAL OB^ THE CHURCH. STUDY XXIV.-Pirat Day. Memory Verse. Eph. i, 3. Colo8.siiin3 and Epheaians have been called "twin Ephe.ian. Epistlea, the offspring of a single birth in the apostle's •"«« «»'••• mind. . . At the same time, there is a considerable dif- ^IIm'^ ference between the two writings. . . Colossians is a letter of discussion; Ephesians of reflection. . . The one is like a mountain stream forcing its way through some rugged defile; the other is the smooth lake below, in which its chafed waters restfully exi)and.'" No other of Paul's productions has called forth such p,.i.e«fih. expressions of praise from every quarter as has this Epis- ^Ptotie. tie to the Ephesians. Coleridge declares it to be "one of the divinest compositions of man." " It rises at times to the level of a poem," says Locke. " When Paul wrote this letter he was, as at Philippi, singing hymns in prison." Purves writes, "This Epistle is the climax of Paul's teaching about salvation. . . The whole plan of God embodied in the mission of Jesus is unfolded." This last thought gives the key .o the Epiatle. It Key is the final and highest illustration of Paul's wonder- ful passion for the absolute or universal. He pushes every great truth to its utmost limits. In Galatians it is justification by faith; in Romans, salvation through the sacrifice of Christ fully realized by the operation of the Spirit; in Colossians, the pre-eminence of Christ; in this Epistle God's plan of the ages, the mystery of Christ as the head and the Church as his body. The Church has its origin in the will of the Father, in the work of the Son^Jn^the sealing of the Holy Spirit;' and in each it is » O. G. Flndlay, Eip. Bib., 11-18. « Jas. M. Gray, Synthetic Bible Studllei, 180. 156 wmm 156 Studies in the Apostolic Church. The Church a Holy Temple. Paul's Mis- sion and Prayer. Bcfllnnlnfl of the l>ractlcal Part "unto the praise of his [God's] glory." The apostle gives thanks for the faith and love of his readers, and prays that their knowledge may become even more com- plete rc'S])ecting their •privileged and tlie i)owor of God. This power is seen in the resurrection and ascension of Christ, his supremacy over all things, and headship over the Church. £ph. i. This power of God is further seen in raising both Gentiles and Jews from spiritual death, causing them to sit with Christ in the higher or heavenly relationships of this new life of grace, to be " created in Christ Jesus for good works," and to be united in one vast and " holy temple in the Lord." Eph. ii. To Paul has been revealed this mystery of Christ's marvelous mission, and especially " that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body." This revelation and the gift of God's grace have made him " a minister " and a preacher of " the unsearchable ricties of Clirist," and as such he is led to pray that those to whom he writes may be brought by glorious steps to the point where they may "know the love of Clirist which passeth knowledge," and be "filled unto all the fullness of God," and he closes the doctrinal part of tlie Epistle with this sublime doxology: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above uU that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and evti. Amen." Eph. iii. The exhortation or practical part fills a larger place than in other letters, its throe chapters even exceeding the first three by twenty-three verses. It opens with au appeal to the whole Church to live worthy of the great ideal which has been presented to them, and especially to endeavor " to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Yet it is shown to be a unity lich in diversity of gifts and miiiistrv. Tlieir life ia to be a reversal of the 'jRrjy_ .:!:iaMiBK-'c*rfif - "t^w-iv 'S^iUIHS^5 In Rome and Elsewhere, ^57 old Gontile type, and marki-d by triithfulncsH, control of anger, honest toil, pure and upi)uilding speedi and con- duct, gentleness, forgiveness, and love. They are to " walk as children of light," to " redeem the time, be- cause the days are evil," not to be "drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melodv ... to the Lord." Epli iv— V, 21. The next practical section considers the mutual rela- Christian tiona and duties of the three classes of the social order Family i-ife. wives and husbands, children and parents, servants and masters. But these may all be viewed as making up tlie complete idea of llie family. In Romans, the chief Con- troversial Epistle, Paul brings the State under Christian thought. Here, in the main Prison Epistle, he does the same with the Family. Eph. v, 22 — vi, 9. The last section presents the spiritual foes which snr- spirttuai round the Christian, and describes the armor and weapons *"»»'• with which they can be resisted. The apostle then asks for prayer on his behalf, that he may have the power of utterance as "an ambassador in chains," Tychicus ia introduced, and the benediction is given. Eph. vi, 10-24. si' It Do not let the week with the Epistle to the Bphesians pass without making some one of its remarkable passages your permanent possession. i! STUDY XXrV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Eph. i, 4. Read Eph. i. Note that the margin, ver. 1, R. V., states that " some very ancient authorities omit at Ephe- 8U8." This is thought to show that this Epistle was meant to be a circular letter, and that the name of each T!sssmsieimsr 158 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Church to which a copy was given, or at which a copy was made, was inserted hero. For this reason Col. iv, 16 could speak of "the Epistle from Laodicea," which was their copy of the Epistle. Kphesus being the metropolis of this circle finally gave name to the letter. STUDY XyjV.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Eph. ii, 10. Read Eph. ii. Mark the many times that the phrase " in Christ," or its equivalent, occurs throujrh tlieso chap- ters. It is one of the great ideas or keynotes of the Epistle and of Paul's thought, both here and elsewhere. Suffgeatlono for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Locate Ephesus, Laodicea, Hiernpolia, Philadelphia, Smyrna, and other cities for whose Churches copies of this Epistle may have been made. Scripture Octlink.— Salutation, Eph. i, 1, 2; God's pur- pose, and Christ's exaltation to be head of the Church, 3^-23; Saved by grace, ii, 1-10; Crentilesand Jews made one in Christ, 11-19; The Christian Church in ita foundation and building, 20-22; Paul's ministry, iii, 1-13; His great prayer and doxol- ogy, 14-21 ; Unity and diversity working completeness, iv, 1-16 ; Discarded vices and Christian virtues, iv, 17 — v, 21 ; The new ideal of the family, v, 22— vi, 9 ; Spiritual foes and armor, 10-17 ; Prayer and intercession requested, 18-20; Conclusion, 21-24. STUDY XXrV.— Fourth Day. Memory yTerse, Eph. iii, 19. Read Eph. iii. The word "mystery," in the New Testment, means something once hidden but now revealed, that is, an open secret, except in the book of Revelation, where it means a nidden secret.' Note that this Epistle especially brings out the Fatlierhood of God. See ver. 14, 15, and elsewhere. Seek to enter into Paul's wonder- ful prayer, ver. 16-19, and memorize ver. 14-21. » K. C. B., 82. In Rome and Elsewhere. 159 Oeneral References. Purves, sees. 249, 26&-268; Barth't, 188, 190; MoClymc.nt, 99-108 ; Stevens, 876, 886, 387. 40g-414, 422, 438, 4fi(M«9 ; Uam- «ay. 349, 869; C. H., II, 394-416; Stalker, 69, 60, 84. 159-I6->: Farrar (St. P.), 630-647; Gixlet, 461-494; Bruce, 353-i66 ; Ilast Bib. Diet. STUDY XXIV. -Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Eph. Iv, 30. Read Eph. iv. In addition to forms of service repre- sented by "apostles," " propliets," "teachers," there are here added "evangelists," and "pastors," ver. 11; but all are for the fitting of believers " unto the work of ministering," and "unto the building up of the body of Christ." Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assiarnment in Olass-work. 1. The Churchly unity and social sanctity of believers. John xvii, 16, 19-21 ; Acts ii, 42; xv, 25-29; 1 Thess. v, 13. 22; Kom. xii,4, 6; xiii, 13, 14; Col. iv, 6; Eph. iv.4; v, 3, 4, 18, 25-27; 1 Tim. iv, 3-6; 1 Peter, ii, 11, 12; Jude 4, 20; 2 Peter iii, 11 1 Heb xii, 14, 15; 1 John iii, 3; iv, 7. 2. Ephesians, a circular Epistle. Purves, see. 2.55 ; N. C. B., 18; C. H..II. 397, 398. 3. The meaning of " in Christ." N.C. B.,.S0; Exp. Bib 7 46-49. 4. The Fatherhood of God. Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 720. 5. Christ and the Church. Exp. Bib., 91-04, 366-379; Purves, sec. 258. 6. Evangelists, Eph. iv, 11. Stevens, 467, 468 ; Godet, 470; Hast. Bib. Diet. 7 Pastors, Ejjh. iv, 11. God.. I. 470; Stevens, 467, 468. 8. The view of the marriage relation, Eph. v, 22-33. Math- eson, 245-251 ; Exp. Bib., 353-360. 9. The Christian armor, Eph. vi, 13-17. Stalker, 159, 160; Exp. Bib., 410-424. STUDY XXrV.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Eph. v, 27. Eph. V. "The spirit of life in Christ Jesus created new hearts and new homes. It taught man and woman a chaste love. Every Christian house became the center ft li^iTSiS^^tK m^. ,niA' '■-.--..■' .^1 i6o Studies in the Apostolic Church. of a leaven tlml wrought upon the corrupt society around. Children grew up triiiiu-d in pure and gentle manners. From that hour the hope of a better day began."* Questions for Written Answers. 1. With what other Epistle is EpheHJans '^ontraiited ? 2. What in the key thought of this Epii^tle? 8. What classeti of Christian workers are named in Ephe- siana iv, It? 4. Can you give a general idea of the place and service of each? 6. To about what circle of Churches was this letter prob- ably Bent? 6. Why did it finally receive the title of the Epistle to the Ephesians? STUDY XXIV.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Eph. vi, 13. Read Eph. vi. "Never did there come to the Church a greater mercy in disguise than when the arrest of Paul's bodily activities at Csesarea and Home supplied him with the leisure needed to reach the depths of truth sounded in the Epistle to the Ephosians."' Personal Tho\iffht. " Forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you." Eph. iv, 33. One of the most certain tests of the possession of a Christlike spirit is the forgiveness of those who injure us. Is my forgiveness free and full, even as God's for- giveness "in Christy" 1 Exp. Bib., 866. < stalker, 1(9. ^H^ ll PART V.-TWBNTY-PIFTH WEEK. PAUL'S JOY IX THE PIIILIPPIANS. STUDY XXV.-Pirat Day. Memory Verse. Phil. I, 9. The founding of tho Church iit Philippi occurred in P.„r,vi.iu Paul's second missionary journey as recounted in Study X. *• w»imi»»i. The apostle again visited Philippi during the latter part of the third missionary jotirney, very probably on his way to Corinth, and certainly on his return. Acts xx, 6. It is supposed that two other visits were made by him to the Church in the period after his rolease from the two years of detention at Rome.' Philippi received its name from King Philip of Mace- the city aod don in the fourth century B. C, and was granted large Church. privileges under Roman rule by Augustus because of vic- tories at the battles of Philippi and Actium. Paul was drawn to it as the first place of labor m his Macedonian mission by the fact that it was so largely Roman. There were few Jewish residents, since they had no synanogue, and the instance of Lydia at the beginning of the Church and the reference to Euodia and Syntyche in the Epistle indicate a fine womanly element. "In a woman's prayer- meeting began the first Church in Europe, the most loved and loving Church of the New Testament. Paul was its founder, Luke its first pastor, but a band of noble women seem to have furnished the core of its membership."— Dr. George Elliott. There is a difference of opinion as to whether the Date.„dOr- Epistle to the Philippians preceded or followed the other •=•»»»" "' the letters^f the imprisonment, but the order in which they ^'*"*''' > See study XlII, Nftrratlys. and Hrurty XXI, lust paragMWJh ^t Nar- FkUve, 1, 4. n 161 Jf w 1 62 Studies in the Apostolic Church. If i f have bt'i'H preaeiilj'il ahowa the latter view is here accepted, and the letter may be dated toward the end of (51 A. D. The occasion of the writing of this meHsage of per- gonal atlection and joy wuh the coming of Epuplinxlitus with an offering from the Philippian Churcii for VnwVi own use. Tiiis loving remembrance from a Cliunli tliut oppurently never caused its founder any anxiety hd liim to resjiond in a strain of familiar confidence, and Pliilip- pians fittingly closes the series of "afternoon'* Epistles, as those written from Rome have been called. ThcOvcning The salutation, in which Timothy ynm with Paul, is Chapter, jjgtinct from that of any previous Kpistle in its reference to " the bishops and deacons," forming a point of transi- tion to tlie Pastoral Epistles which are to follow. Tlio thankstriving and prayer reveal the tender sympathies and unceasing desires of the apostle for the growth of his spiritual children in love and discernment. He then bears personal testimony to the great truth he stated iu Romans, that "all tilings work together for good." "I would have you know, brctliren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel, so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole prctorian guard, and to all the rest; and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear." lie is able to rejoice that Christ is preached by some, even though they do it "of faction." He is confident that Christ will be mag- nified whether by his life or death, but believes that he is to be spared to see the Philippians again, though to de- piixt and be with Christ is "very far better." His wish is that they may stand fast in unity and readiness to suffer for Christ's sake, following his own example. Phil. i. The Mind of In the next chaptfr is found one of the most deeply Christ, impressive passages of the entire Bible, — that in which Paul brings before the disciples at Pbilippi the example In Rome and Elscwh ere. .63 r f of Christ lu ho -fn.])tic.il hin.Helf " in bt-c-omiiig man, u.ul "hurnbl.Ml hiriis..!/" in enduring "the (U-aih of the rros8." It J8 anothtT illugtralion of th.- hiftin.'gg of th., motives to which Paul la ever appealing on ht-half of fh.« Hiinplfst duties and virtues. Hei.. ! ■ .ka that Chriatiaim may have "the mind of Christ," ihat they timv "work out" their salvath.n, that they mav "do all things with- out niurniuringBand disputinps," uvA that thev may hold forth "the word of life." 'IT,, rluip- or .loses Mith kindly personal thoughts and 8u-^r,,sti,.n.. respecting Tim..fhy and Epaphroditus. i'hil. ii. Paul now passes over to the ^r m...! ..f faithful nam- Wrni„„. .«, ing against tho influence of fiiosc u'm. oxujf fleshly f.r- *••« •"■••t Aim. emonies and fleshly indulgences. " (<■ wur- . i.io con- cision: for we are the circumcision, who worship by tho Spirit of God, and glory in Christ .lesu-s, an.i have no confidence in the flesh." ..." Many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, tliat they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: . . . whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things." As over against these he declares, "What things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. ... I press on toward the goal of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. For our citizenship is in heaven." Phil. iii. With a caution to all to "stand fast in the Lord," Rejoic.Pr.y. and especially to Euodia and Syntyche "to be of the ^'•'"'' '^«»w>- same mind in the Lord," the apostle utters, with more emphasis than ever, the great watchword of the Epistle, "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.'' Then, with words of rare beauty respecting peace through prayer, the realm in which Christian thought should dwell, his grateful rero-rnition of their present gift and their past generosity, and assurance that God shall sup- ply their "every need . . . according to his riches in glory m Christ Jesus," he brings the letter to a close. Phil. iv. If I 164 Studies in the Apostolic Church. It is well for the Bible student to have one Epis- tle in which he is a kind of specialist. The Epistle to the Philippians is especially well adapted to all classes of readers. Some will wish to maKe choice of it, reading it over month after month, until they are literally saturated with its great thoughts and glad and joyful spirit. STUDY XXV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Phil, i, 10. Read Phil, i, 1-11. Note, at tlie end of ver. 4, the word "joy," which is the keynote of the Epistle. In ver. 9-11 occurs another of the remarkable series of prayers to bo found through Paul's Epistles, and of which a special study should be made. STUDY XXV.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Phil, i, 21. Read Phil, i, 12-30. In ver. 18 are the ,', ords, " Christ is proclaimed;" in ver. 20, "Christ shall be magnified." How true are these as the constant refrain of this letter. Says one writer: "The mere number of mentions of the Savior's name is remarkable. More than forty times we have it in this short compass ... on an average about once in every two or three verses.'" Suerseetions for Map "Work and Scripture Outline. Trace the course of Epaphroditus, if he came from Philippi to Rome by water, landing at the port of Ostia, and returned by way of Brundusium, thence across the Adriatic to ApoUonia, and over the Egnatian Way to Philippi. See map in Hurlbut, 130. SoKiPTUEB Outline.— Salutation, Phil, i, 1,2; Thanksgiving and prayer, 3-11 ; Bonds and even death to Paul a blessiii',', 12-21; His continued life a blessing to the Philippians, 22-26; Their life to be worthy of the pospel of Chr?»t and his example of humility, i, 27— ii, 18; Timothy and Epaphroditus, 19-30; > H. C. O. Moule, PbUipp «i>Kii In Rome and Elsewhere. 165 False and true stamlHrds of teacliing and conduct, iii ; Personal counsels, iv, 1-3 ; Christian joy and thinking, contentment, and gratitude, 4-20; Personal salutations and benediction, 21-23. STUDY XXV.-Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Phil, ii, 5. Read Phil. ii. " For the while at least let us drop out of sight all hard questions of adjustment between the finite will and tlie Infinite, and rest quite simply in the thought: God is in me, working the willing and the doing. The willi..„ .'a genuine and is mine. The working is genuine and is mine. But I am held in no less a hold than his to be molded and to be employed." — Moule. General References. Purves, sees. 249, 259-261 ; Bartlet, 192-198; McClymont, 85-90; Stevens, 346, 390-399, 429, 464; Ramsay, S49. 357-360- C. H., II, 422-433; Stalker, 161; Farrnr (St. P.), 58».60b' Bruce, 146, 196, 332, 353, 382; Godet, 494-528; Hast. Bib. Diet., Philippi, Epistle to the Philippiana. STUDY XXV.-Pifth Day. Memory Verse, Phil, iii, 14. Read Phil. iii. Paul presents a wonderful secret of success and power in the Christian life,— to surrender all that is counted "gain" in order to win Christ. Where the sacrifice is complete, many things may be given back, but they will now be held "in him," and u.sed to his glory. Lot every one aim at the goal of such a Christ- centered life, and shun the ways of those "whose end is perdition," ver. 19. Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Class- work. 1. The fellowship, joy, contentment, and peace of believers, Acts ii, 46; XV, 3, 30-33; 1 Thess. i, 6; Gal. v, 22; 1 Cor. xii, 28; 2 Cor. xii, 9; Rom. xiv, 17; Acts xx, 37; EpL. v, lfr-21 ; Col. iii, 14, 15; Phil, ii, 1, 2; iv, 4-7, 10-13; 1 Tim. vi, 6; 1 Pet. Ill, 8; Heb. x, 24, 25; Rev. vii,9, 10; 1 John i, 3; iv, 20, 21. 2. Philippi. Farrar (St. P.). 274-276; Hast. Bib. Diet. 1 66 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 3. The " Pretorium," Phil, i, 13, margin. Ramaay, 367; Hast. Bib. Diet. ; N. G. B., 160; Rackham, 508. 4. Paul's prayers. Grodet, 123, 417, 467, 469. 6. Having the mind of Christ, Phil, ii, 5-11. N. C. B., 164-166. 8. Gains counted loss for Christ, Phil, iii, 5-7. N. 0. B., 170, 171. 7. The growing influence of the gospel in Rome, Phil, i, 13; iv, 22. Farrar (St. P.),581. STUDY XXV.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Phil, iv, 13. Read Phil. iv. Note especially ver. 8, in which is shown that all things true and beautiful and pure and good are brought within the range of the Christian ideal. Ques ions for Writtou Answers. 1. In which of his missionary journeys did Paul found the Philippian Church? 2. How many other visits did he probably make ti> Philippi? 3. What element in its membership especially marked the Church? 4. What is the date of the writing of Philippians relative to that of the other Prison Epistles? 5. What appears so have called forth the letter? 6. What impressive example is cited in the second chapter? 7. What is the keynote or watchwoi-d of the Epistle? STUDY XXV.— Seventh Day. Memory Vei-se, Phil, iv, 19. Passages for memorizing: Phil, ii, 1-11; iii, 7-14; iv, 4-8. Personal Thought. "In nothing be anxious." Phil, iv, 6. Worry and fretting are ever marks of weakness. Have I conquered these foes of Christian peace and joy? Read Matt, vi, 25-34. m^^ PART v.— TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK. TITUS, A COMRADE IX LABORS. STUDY XXVI.— First Day. Memory Verse, Titus i, 1. The last three Epistles of Paul are called Pastoral ThePastm-ai Epistles, because they are full of precepts for the pastor ^••'•*'«"' or minister. If the simple device of classifying all his Epistles is now summed up and completed, it may be said that First and Second Thessalonians are morning Epistles; Galatians, First and Second Corinthians, and Romans are noon Epistles; Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians are afternoon Epistles; and Titus and First and Second Timothy are evening Epistles. When the last are being written the evening shadows are fulling about his life. Some, like Bartlet, have sought to place the pastoral letters in the apostle's history before the close of Acts, but this is generally felt to be impossible. They contain so many words new to Paul's vocabulary that time and a certain change of conditions are required to account for them. And this is secured if Paul was released from his first imprisonment, went forth to further labors and journeys, and suffered a second imprisonmei before his death. In 2 Cor. viii, 2',], Paul calls Titus his "partner" Sketch of or "comrade," using a word which means one with the truest fellow-feeling, and joins to tliis the word "fellow-worker," so that it may be proper to term him Paul's "comrade in labors." But Titus was a much younger man than the apostle, probably converted through him, and in the salutation of the Epistle is addressed as his "true child." Nothing is known of his early life. He is first mentioned in Gal. ii, 1-3, aa a Gentile going 167 Titus. if! ll i, : ll.. 1 68 Studies in the Apostolic Church. up with Paul and Barnabaa to Jerusalem, aud yet not circumcised, perhaps as an example that such could be accepted Christians. Later on he is with Paul in the third missionary journey at Ephesus, and is sent to Corinth, as nearly as can be determined, with each of three letters, the two extant Epistles and an intermediate one;' and appears to have succeeded in his efforts there much better than Timothy. He organized the plan for the collection for the poor, and did much to restore the Corinthian Church to allegiance to Paul. His coming to Macedonia with this good news brought the apostle great joy.* The next reference to Titus is in the letter to him. It seems that Paul, after his release, had traveled with Titus in the East, that they had been in the Island of Crete, and had evangelized several towns. Being unable to remain longer, the aged missionary leader had left Titus to appoint elders and complete the organization of the Church. But Titus found no little opposition, and may have written Paul for advice, which was given in this letter. The last meeting of Paul with his younger helper was probably at Nicopolis in Epirus, and when Titus went from there "to Dalmatia," he disappears from our further knowledge.' ctrcum- The first letter to Timothy was probably written be- tiito*Eptotie. ^^^^ ^^^ Epistle to Titus, but it will be considered with the second letter to Timothy in the next Study. The letter to Titus may have been prepared at Corinth in the summer of 04 A. D., and sent to Crete by Zenas and Apollos." The salutation, which is peculiarly strong and of such length as to suggest that of the Epistle to the Romans, would add force to the commission of Titus. The first work of this delegate was to be the proper or- ganizing of the Christians in the several cities of Crete, and the appointment of elders. The term "bishop" is >H»>e Study XVI, Narrative. '2 Cor. vUl, 6; vll, 6-16. • Tltug 111, 12, IS; 2 Tim. Iv, 10; Bl3o Btudy XXI, Narratlvi- U, 7, 8. i*H In Rome and Elsewhere. 169 also used for these Church officers, and tlieir quali- fications are pointed out. In contrast with the true leaders and overseers of the Churches, there are false teachers, "whose mouths must be stopped." Paul cites a current saying from Epimenides respecting Cretans as appropriate to these men, and directs that they be sharply reproved. Titus i. The apostle then sketches the features of a true Chris- standard of tian character which Titus is to enforce in both elderly Christian and young men and women and in hoiisrhold servants o'r *^''"'"*''*"- slaves. The wonderful ideal is presented respecting tlie last mentioned, that " they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Xo higher measure of the new standard of Christianity could l)e given. And the motive urged is because the saving grace of (iod and Christ's atonement have trained us to rise above sin and lead an attractive life, " zealous of good works." Titus ii. Titus is to remind the people " to be in subjection t B. F. Horton, N. C. B., 58. PART V.-STUDY TWENTY-SaVBN. TIMOTHY, A SON IX THE GOSPEL. STUDY XXVn.-Flr8t Day. Memory Vor,e. 2 Tim. i, 8. Timothy (in Greek, Timotheus) waa the one person nmothr'. among those asaociated with St. Paul who held the deenpHt ^•'«* and moLi constant place in his affections. Reared in a '''^'•*'"'^ home of piety, his father, who was a Greek or Gentile perhaps having died while the boy was young, he felt the influence of Jewish faith from his earliest years through his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. He appears to have been of a gentle and retiring nature, and of deli- cate constitution or health. His conversion is thought to have occurred while Paul and Barnabas were at Lystra in the First Missionary Journey.' and as they were desig- nated for this mission by prophetic utterance at Antioch, so this young disciple was pointed out for the compan- ionship of Paul by a similar utterance at Derbe or Lystra Accordingly, when Paul and Silas came to Lystra in the Second Journey it was decided that young Timothy sh^.tild go with them, and to overcome Jewish prejudice the apostle circumcised him,' and he was ordained to the work by the laying on of hands of the elders. The principal journeys and labors of Timothy can be hisAcUvimm traced from the record of Acts and the Paulino Epistlca. •"'•<:»»•'• He accompanied the apostolic party in the Second Journey till Philippi was reached. Later he remained behind with Silas at Berea, joined Paul at Athens, and wis his messen- ger from there and Corinth in the interests of the Macedo- nian work. He probably was the penman for the writing of the two Thessalonian letters, and Iw name appears with Pau l's in the salutation of each of them, as it does in acter. •Study VIII. Narrative, Fifth Day. 173 •Study X, Narrative. 174 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Date and Bealnnliifl of First Timothy. Its Further Topics. the Second Epistle to the Corinthians and the Epistles to Philemon, ColoMsiuns, and Pliilippians, ami he is amnnp those giving closing sulutationH in Romans. During ihe Third Journey he is sent from Kjthesus to Corinth, and is a memt)er of the company going up to Jorusah-m. Uo is with Paul during at least a part of the first Roman imprisonment, and is left in charge at Ephesus fur a time in the interval before the second imprisonment.' Whether ho was able to respond to the final urgent call of tlu' ipostle and see him in Rome before I'aul's ni;irtyrdi»m is not known. "The constant companion of his travels when he was not engaged in his commissions, this son of his was never absent but ho wished him present. ... It is this tender love of the noblest of men wliicli illustrates the character of Timothy; to bo so loved by Paul is a patent of nobility."* The First Epistle to Timothy, which was pcrliaps sent from Macedonia in the summer of 63 A. D.,' may l>e briefly surveyed. After the salutation in the first two verses, the opening chapter is taken up with points relating to doc- trine and teaching. Paul especially warns against " fables and endless genealogies which minister (juestionings," and vain attempts to present the law witiiout using it for its true end in correcting sins aTid wickedness. lie hum- bly makes mention of the exceeding meriy of Christ to himself as the chief of sinners, in appointing him to his service, and charges Timothy to "war a good warfare; holding faitii and a good conscience," respecting which Hymenaeus and Ab-tander are condemned. 1 Tim. i. He proceeds to speak of prayers, and the relation of men and women thereto and to public tcai'biiig; of bish- ops, deacons, and perhaps deaconesses under the more general term "women;" and comes to the central cli- max of the Epistle in a brief statement of the ofTi; > of the Church in maintaining the truth. A fragment of a 1 study XXI, Narrative, 8. « K. F. Horton, N. C. B., 47. "Study XXI, Narrative, 4. In Rome and Elsewhere. '75 hymn ai'vm» to be quoted us summing up thrist'H entiro mission.' The list half of tlio letter is moro m-urly con- cerned with I. rsonul inKtructions to Tmititliy to onlightuti him us to cominp forms of error, and show how lie cun ho "a good minister of Jesus Christ" with rcsiwct to his puhlic utterances ; to his treatment "t ohi und young; t.. tlie Church euro of widows; to the eldership; to the Christian conduct of slaves, und to the spirit und aim of the rich. 1 Tim. ii — vi. The Second Epistle t(» Timothy was written at Homo, Dateand probably in t! " winter of 6-t-5 A. I)., shortly before Paul's s°rond**°' martyrdom.' Tiie apostle's fir>*t thought apjitjars to be of niii^t'hy. Timothy's early training and ordination to the work, and of the s{)irit i.f power and courage he now needn to comc! to Rome and stand beside his leader, as Onesiphorus has done, in contrast with others. Soldier-like qualities aro required, but le one wlio measures up to the Divino standard will be ' ' a vessel unto honor." Over against falso teachc of the future are placed the inspired Scriptures. Paul t len gives his triumphant testimony, an Matheson, 241. kKa.!' • '.• idyjMti • ^s ji 15- Gal' ''|: ^^'.f.^'= 3 ?*"■• "'' ^^' ^^= '''''^'^: ^""^- '- 16; 1 Tim. iii, 16; 2 Tun. m, 14-17; Jude 3; Heb. ii, 3; 1 .John iv, 6; 2 John 8 2. Timothy. N. C. B., 46-51; Bib. Diet. 3. Public worship and prayers, 1 Tim. ii, 1-8. Exp Bib 82-103; Bartlet, 452-456, 487; Ha,st. Bib. Diet., Worship in New Testament. 4. Bishop as an equivalent of elder, Titus i, 5-7 • 1 Tim iii 1-7. Bartlet, 489; N. C. B., 114, 176; Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 'soi,' 5. Doaconanddeaconess.l Tim. iii. 8-13. N. C B 108-110- Bartlet, 482-487; Bib. DicL. -iJO-iio, 6. Gcxlly nuces-try and Christian home life, 2 Tim. i 5- iii 14, 15. Matheson, 284-289. ' ' ' 7. Inspired Scriptures, 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. Exp. Bib 385- 396; Hast. Bib. Diet., I. 296-299; II, 475, 476. 8. John Mark, and Paul's renewed esteem for him, 2 Tim iv, 11. N. C. B., 169; Hast. Bib. Diet., John Mark. 9. Paul's final testimony ai . triumph, 2 Tim. iv, 6-8. Exp. Bib., 397-405; Farrar (M. B.), 392-396; Matheson, 271-293. 10. Review or sketch of Paul's life and character. Stalker. 110-118; B ib. Diet. " N. C. B.. 180. J 2 II 111 tm 178 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STUDY XXVII.— Sixth Day. Memory Versi-s, 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. Read 2 lim. ii, iii. "We can not choose whether we shall be gold and silver, or wood and earthenware. . . . But each of us, if he is clean, will be counted as a vessel unto honor.'" Questions for Written Answers. 1. When is it supposed Jiat Timothy's conversion occurred ? 2. How long wiis he the almost constant companion of Paul? 3. What are some of the principal themes in the two Epistles to Timothy? 4. Where and under what circumstances did Paul write Second Timothy? 5. For what are inspired Scriptures "profitable," 2 Tim. iii, 16? STUDY XXVII.— Seventh Day. Memory Verses, 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. Read 3 Tim. iv. The words of verses 6-8 form the fitting farewell message of the great apostle. So fully is the second main division of the book of Acts occupied with his work, that chapters xiii-xxviii may be entitled "The Acts of Paul."' Review Part V. Personal Thought. ' Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an ex- ample to them that believe." 1 Tim. iv, 12. There is no reason, because one is young, why he or she should not be an example delightfully inspiring "to them that believe," as well as above reproach among them that are outside the faith. Read Dan. i, 17-20. IN. 0. B., on 2 Tim. iJ, 20, 21. * Rackman, xlvil. »«vimLr^r ■■ i«».iw PART YI. THE CfllRCH IXSTIirCTED BY PETER AM) JUDE. TWBNTY-BIQHTH WEEK. PETER THE MAX A\D AVRITER OF LARGE HEART AXD HOPE. STUDY XXVIII.—Pirst Day. Memory Verse, 1 I'eter i, 3. The Epistles of Peter not only introduce a portion of Peter's the Xew Testament distinct from the large field of Pauline uJe'"°' ""** life and literature over which the course has passed, but complete the circle of action, speech, and writing of the next most influenti,.i man of tlie Apostolic Church. A brief review of his life and work is therefore presented. He first ai)pears in the gospel narrative as a disciple of John the Baptist, brouglit to Jesus by his brother Andrew, and given his new name of Peter, or Cephas in Aramaic, meaning a rock or stone. A few months later these two brothers ami their partners, James and John, are called to leave their bt,ats and nets and follow Clirist. They form the core of the college of twelve apostles, and Peter becomes the leading disciple. He appears as somewhat slow of understanding cud unstal}le in temperament, but wholehearted, prompt, and bold in word and action. After his great confession of Christ's Messiahsliip, his office as prime leader in the new Church was confirmed, and though he gave way to fear and denied his Lord before the cruci- fixion, he was restored after the resurrection. At Cssarea Philippi, Peter had declared concerning his his Part in Master, " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," *'*»• 179 I V- ■: I f»T*6"3n««»:-i. 1 -^lir dOHMMiWlMHMH \8o Studies in the Apostolic Church. ami Josus liad ri'spondcd, " Tliou arl IVtcr, ami upon tiiis ro;;k I will build my Church; ... I will give auto tliee tlic keys of the kingdom of heiivcii."' Even if it wore understood that I'eter iiimself, ratlier tlinii his eon- fession, is "this rock," all the ahove-fiuoted words to him Und true and sutlicient fullillment in his preaidiing the first sermon ut Pentecost and oiicning the Christian way of salvation to llie Jews, Samaritans, and (ientilcs.' Ho so fully directed the tirst stage of the Cliristiati movement that Acts i— xii may be ealled "The Acts of Peter.'" Hut about 44 A. I)., James, the Lord's brother, appears as l"ader of the Church at Jerusalem, and Peter's work was abroad, though he is present at the Jerusalem Council in 50 A. D. rtis Later His further career is, for the most part, disclosed only Yearsand ■ ^j uncertain light of early tradition. I'erhaps the Martyrdom. '^ •' , i ci ■ best conclusion is that he labored chielly througiiout oyrui for some \, .ars after leaving Jerusalem, visited the prov- inces of Asia Minor, and spent his last years in Rome.* Says Rackham. 511, 512, '-Tliis apostle, after evangeliz- ing the remaining provinces of Asia Minor, may have come to Rome after St. Paid's liberation. . . . We have St. Peter's First Epistle whic'.i he wrote from Rome and sent to the Christians of Asia Minor by the hands of Silvanus. . . . When this was written the Christians of Asia Minor were suffering persecution, and we should nat- urally assume that their persecution followed after the outbreak of persecution at R nic. St. Peter, then, was probably lying hid in Rome; and if, by so doing, he was able to cherish fragments of the broken Church and to build it up again and appoint an apostolic successor, we shall better understand the position which St. Peter won in tradition of being the founder of the Church of Rome. Ultimately, however, he was discovered by the authorities; 1 »iRtt. XVl, 16-19. * Backhaul, xlvii. a See Studies 1, IV, VII. «Bartlet,a«8-300; Hast. Bib. Dlct^ Petar. Instructed by F^eter and Judc. i8i and, not being a Koman I'ilizoii, was \nn to dcatli liy crucifixion in the Vatican {.'anlonH Ix-yoml tlic Tilicr. If tliis happened in 07 or fniriy in us, it would uccnuiit fur the date assigned to the martyrdom of hotii aimsfjes [I'iiul and I'eter] by Kusebius." Lii Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 783. 1 82 Studies in the Apostolic Church. nil iiru exliorteJ to bu comim.ssionuti-, tcniliT-lifarttd and hunibli', and jiationtly to endure iturseoutiotiH, since Christ, thoiigii " jmt ii) ilcatli iti the tlesli," lias lieen " made alivo in tile spirit," and to him tlu-y arc now joined by baptism. 1 IVter iii. Tiie elosiiiff chapters deal largely with the same problem of triumph over tribulation, the elders are admonisheil, and the letter elo>es with brief personal allu- sions and greetings and a benediction. 1 IVter iv, v. It will be an excellent plan to read the letter through rapidly, and then state in one sentence what conditions those to whom it was written setm to have been facing. You will then be prepared to state its main practical purpose. STUDY XXV III.— Second Day. Memory Verse, 1 Peter i , 8. Kead 1 Peter i. Mark the word "hope," ver. .3, 13, 21. Peter is the apostle of hope, as Paul is of faith. Ver. 4, 5, " The inheritance is preserved for the believers, and the believers for the inheritance." STUDY XXVIII.— Third Day. Memory Verse, 1 Peter ii, 9. Read 1 Peter ii. A great law and end of all Christian privilege and attainment is set forth in ver. 9: "Ye are . . . that ye may." All that we are throngh grace is to the end that we "may show forth the excellencies " of God. Suggestions for Map "Work and Scripture Outline. In the order of the provinces in the sahitation some find a sugfjeation of the course of Silvanus in delivering the Epistle ; and would nialve his course from Pontus into North Galatia, thence to Cappadocia, through South Galatia to Ephesus, and north through the province of Asia to Bithynia.' Draw a map of Asia Minor and its provinces, and mark ou' the above route. See either map. I Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 7tii' ; Bartlet. 8M, 305. Instructed by Peter and Jude. 183 ScRiPTntK fHTi.iNR.— Salutation, 1 IVtiT i, 1, 2; Th" hii|i,' and rpvelntion Kivt-n the heln-voi- call for n st<'a(lfai»t mid licily lif.«, 3-21; Thin new life i.ssiii's in lirut'nTly love and i^ nourished by the Word and built up in Christ to show forth GikI's exeelleneies, i, 2"-'— ii, 10; Tie- Christian soeiety in the world a;.(i iis duties, ii, II— iv. II ; I'ntieut eiiduruiice of (.erse- eulioti, |L'-19; KIders mltnonished, v, 1-4; Closing exhortation and iiray.'r, ureetinus, and benedictions, 5-14. STUDY XXVIII. -Fourth Day. Memory Verse, 1 Peter iii, 15. Read 1 Peter iii. Two of tlio most difficult passafrf-s in the New Te.st!iment are found in vcr. 10, •,'(), relating to Christ and the siiirits in prison, and in iv, n, to preach- ing to the dead. See Topic tj for references. Oeneral References. Purves, sees. 274, 2S3-290; Piirtlet, 297-.S0S ; McClymont, 13(>-13t); Stevens, 293-311; Fiirrur (K. D.), 02, 63, 72-113; lluat. Bib. Dii i,, Peter, First Epistle of Peter. STUDY XXVIII.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, 1 Peter iv, 16. Read 1 Peter iv. That Peter is the man and writer of large heart or catholicity is seen in the fact that .students observe in this Epistle many points of connection with both the Epistle of James and the Epistles of Paul, espe- cially the letters to the Romans and Ephesians, Paul's two most general Epistles. Peter's very breadth of soul and openness to new light hi him who was once head of the narrow Jewish Church in Jerusalem to relinquish it to James and to become finally, not the autocrat, but the loving builder and guide of the Church in Rome, and to enter into Paul's views and labors Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Olass-work. . Thespirituallifeandholy functions of the Church. Acts ii, 47: v, 42; xii, 15; James i, 27; v, 19, 20; 1 Thess. iii, 12; V, 19, 20; Gal. V, 16; 1 Cor. xiv, 1 ; 2Cor. viii,7; Eph. ii, 21, 22; Phil, ii. In. 16; 1 Tim. iii, 15; Titus ii, 14; 1 Peter i, 15; ii, 9; iii, 14; Jude 20,21. 184 Studies in tlie Apusioiic Church. •J. l't!tf>r':< lift- and clmnwtfr. Fiirrnr (E. D), 62, 63, 72-79; N. C. B..46-M; ram. Bil>.. SS-W; Hast. Hih. Diet. 8. Hithyniii. C. H., I, 240-l.'4:' ; Bib. Diet. 4. I'utitiiH. C. H.. I. 247, Jth; Bib. Diet. 6. Hope. 1 IVt.T i, 3, 13, 21 , iii, 15. Hast. Bib. Diet. 6. Chri.Ht'.s priuchinf: to tho Kpirit^i in prison, and tlif prcacli- ing to the dead 1 IVn-r iii, 19, 20; iv, 6. N. C. B., 234-24U, 245, 248 ; St«'vens, 3()4-310. STUDY XXVIII.-Sixth Day. Memory Verses. 1 Petirv,6, 7. Read 1 Peter v. This Epistle niiiy bo dated about «.5 or fit; A. P. ; for Rome, in- Nero's persoeution and Paiil'.s martyrdom in 64-15, has become ' Balnlon,'" ver. 13, and the apostle .sends fcrth this message to strengthen the Christians in view c> the new conditions thit are arising.' Questions for Written Answers. 1. Write down in brief outline all you can ri member of Peter's life and work. 2. Name tl DodB, ii8a-284; B j:g. International Orlt. Com.. 818; Whedon, Com- V, 298, SH; Hast. Bib. Diet.. II, 802 805; III, 788. 1J5 T^-.'i^i^. wm 4- -^iSm^>^f^^ 1 86 Studies in the Apostolic Church. fiimily of our Lord, iiiid i.s tlie JimIum niuiitioiivMl in tlio list of Christ's lirotlitTK iii tlu* (Jospeln. As u ycmiij^cr brotlKT, be iimdtMtly HulHcrilns him.si'lf "a brDthcr of JimifH." Vft miicli (li'fcnih < was jiaid to the rt-lativiM of C'liri.st ill tlic early (liunli. The letter of Jiide i-s now dated l)y most writers about Tn to hO A. I).' E«ii» The two Eiiistles bear witiiesd to the predenee of t-vils, Arrsicncd. j^^^^ wholly new, but intenfiitled by the character of tiiogo iu whom they are embodied. A lawless tendenoy aitpeara. Men professedly memlters of the Christian communities, but with views so jierverted that they divorce faith and con* duct, or else men utterly false and desijjnin^, who covertly make their way into the Churches as ofTeriiii,' a Held for their wickedness, fill both writers with alarm and indi;,'nation. Impurity, self-assertion, railing, wanton and luxurious living, and covetousness are the evils eiiietly arraigned. Pcter'a After the salutation, the writer of Second I'eter calla ^'fTruuT *'" '''^ readers to go on in the jiower of God's promises and their communion with tae Divine nature, from one grace of character to another. Such progress is the con- dition of knowledge, and without it there is mental blind- ness and defect. The author's deceas' " conieth swiftly," but he " will give diligence," possibly through the future letter of Jude, to provide for their remembrance of his instructions. Christ "received fr^ '" God the Father honor and glory," he adds, '• when so were with him in the holy mount. . . . Xo prophscy ever c:'.me by the will of man; but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter i. He Describes " But there arose false prophets also among the people, the Comina ^^ among you also t'lere shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies." It has been ob- served that the language of Peter here and in chapter iii, 3, is predictive of the false teachers and mockers, while in Ungodly. iBartlKt, 360; Moflatt. 601, 602; Host. Bib. Diet.. II, sw, Ho6, BIki? places 1 Poter, 2 Ptlifrisli tlic wiinln of llic apostle - ami • *'"' i" prophet"* >>i the ( hunh respi-ct j; tlif (.'oiiiint; ot ( liri t. «uin:„u. Si'olJVrs wniihl taunt tht-iii witli thf ^-ihh' tliat it iiti'.'ht hcivaftcr he dcstrovnl hy tire. Th' ri'fiiri' K't th' -ifk lit.i -m for a i;iw wufM. Tlieir own tcacht"*, I'aiil, whom the writer owns a-i a lu'- lovi'd hrother, wrote likewise of these thing's, "as also in nil his Kpisi! ■',... wherein are some thinijs hard to be understo . " and tliorefore, like the other .S( riptiires, liable to perversion. lUil, bein^' forewarned, let thoni "^'row in the jjraco and knowled;,'e of our Lord and Savior Jesus Liirist." 2 I'eter iii. Jude states that he has been moved by the daii'^ers of ContenUof the time to write those adiiressed " to contend earnestly for ''"'*'• the faith . . . delivered unto the saints." Ungodly men are "turiiiiifr the f;raee of our (iod into lascivious- ness." Their sins are after the pattern of those of t'aiii, I5aLam, and Korah. They even mingle in lie love-feusts with impure purposes. Added to these, ti post!eshav>> said, "In the last time there shall be mr, rs, walking after their own ungodly lusts. These are they who make separations, sensual, hiiviiig not the Spirit." The readers are urged to build themselves up in faith, prayer, and love, and to seek the rescue of others; and t lie brief letter ends with praise to (iod as able to guard the Christian from stumbling, and to set him "before the presence of his glory without blemish in e.Tceeding joy." Jude 1-25. "We did not follow cunningly devised fables," says Peter, "but we were eye-witnesses of his maj- esty." This is the character that all Scripture bears 1 88 Studies in the Apostolic Church. on its face. It is the work of ingenuous men who have seen a great vision, and come in contact with a great reality. STUDY XXIX.— Second Day. Memory Veree, 2 Peter i, 8. Read 2 Peter i, 1-11. "In this list of the fruits of faith we have first the active gifts, virtue and knowledge ; then the passive qualities of self-control and endurance ; then the attitude toward God, godliness, toward the Church, love of the brethren, and finally toward God and all mankind, love,"' STUDY XXIX.— Third Day. Memory Verse, 2 Peter i, 21. Read 2 Peter i, 12-21. On the last verse the Cam. Bib. says: "The words assert in the fullest sense the inspiration of all true prophets." SuggeBtions for Map "Work and Scriptiu-e Outline. If a map of the later city of Eome can be obtained, fix the location of the three Churches, St. Peter's, St. Paul Without- the-Walls, and St. John Lateran, the memorials of the three apostles.' Scripture Outline.- Second Peter: Salutation, i, 1, 2; Divine gifts calling for diligence, 3-11 ; Peter's witness-bearing confirmed by the transfiguration and inspired prophecy, 12-21 ; Evil men arraigned, ii ; Mockers against Christ's coming re- futed, iii, 1-13 ; Steadfastness commended in the light of Paul's Epistles, 14-16; Conclusion, 17, 18. Jude: Salutation, 1, 2; Reasons for writing, 3, 4; Examples of the doom of the wicked, 5-7 ; The sin of railing, 8-11 ; Evil men and mockers described, and arraigned through prophecy, 12-19; The Christian's duty, in contrast, 20-23 ; Benediction, 24, 2.5. STUDY XXIX.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, 2 Peter ii, 9. "ioad 2 Peter ii. Note ver. 1, 3, 12, how fully the writer states that the punishment of sin is destruction. > 2 Peter 1, b-7. N. C. B., 262. » Rackham, 612. Instructed by Peter and Jude. 189 General References. Purves, sees. 275, 276, 291-295; Bartlet, 344-361, 51&-521 ; McCIymont, 137-143; Stevens, 253-257, 312-324 ; Farrar (E. D.), 61-63. 114-157; Hast. Bib. Diet., Second Epistle of Peter, Jude, Epistle of Jude. STUDY XXIX.— Fifth Day. Memory Verae, 2 Peter iii, 18. Read 2 Peter iii. "The apostles are always named as co-ordinate with the Old Testament prophets, a like authority is ascribed to them, and it can not surprise us if Peter should so early have recognized that their writings belonged to the same order as those of the prophets."' Topics for Personal Investigation Emd for Assignment in Class-work. 1. The defenses against errors and corruptions threatening the Church. Acts iv, 10, 11 ; vi, 10; James iii, 17 ; v, 19, 20; Acts XV, 6-10; 1 Thess. v, 21; Gal. ii, 14; 2 Cor. xiii, 8; Acts xx, 29-32; Col. ii, 6, 7; Eph, vi, 17; 1 Tim. iv, 16; Titus iii, 10, U; 2 Tim. iii, 13-17; Jude 17; Heb. xiii, 15; Eev. iii, 18; 1 John ii, 26, 27. 2. Casket of virtues and graces, 2 Peter i, 6-7. Cam. Bib., 166, 167; N. 0. B., 261,262. 3. Inspired prophecy, 2 Peter i, 21. Adeney, 152, 153 ; Exp. Bib., 277-279; Bib. Diet. 4. End of the present world-order and beginning of the new, 2 Peter iii, 5-13. Exp. Bib., 335-362; Cam. Bib., 191-196. 6. Steps in the growth of the New Testament, 2 Peter iii, 15, 16. Cam. Bib., 197, 198; Hast. Bib. Diet., New Testament Canon. 6. Jude the brother of James. Farrar (E. D.), 143-149; Hast. Bib. Diet. STUDY XXIX.— Sixth Day. Memory Verses, Jude 20, 21. Read Jude 1-25. Ver. 17, 18, may refer to 2 Peter iii, 3 J "The Epistle concludes with one of the most beau- tiful doxologios to be found in the New Testament."* 1 Dods, 210. > Dods, S32, 233; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 806. 'Jude 24, 25. McOlymont, 143. 190 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What special mark of connection is there between Second Peter and the Epistle of Jude? 2. AVhnt date may be given to Second Peter? 8. To whose Epistles does this letter refer at the close? 4. What are some of the evils arraigned in the two Epistles? 5. Within what years is the Epistle of Jude placed? 6. To whom was Jude related? STUDY XXIX.— Seventh Day. Memory Verses, Jude 24, 26. Rapidly review Parts I — IV. Personal Thought. " Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." Jude 3. Every age calls for those who will earnestly contend for truth and right. Can sacred standards of belief, character, and conduct; can civic righteousness and genuine reforms count on my support ? Read Neh. xiii, 15-21. PAET VII. THE CHURCH INSTRl CTEI) BY THE EPIS- TLE TO THE HEBREWS, THE SYNOP- TIC GOSPELS, AND ACTS. THIRTIETH WEEK. CHRISTIANITY FRESHLY PUT BY AN UN- KNOWN WRITER. STUDY XXX.— First Day. Memory Verse, Heb. i, 4. The second word in the original of the Epistle to the Many Modes Hebrews, which means "in many modes," can be used '"divine • XI >' m X . •. „ , Revelation. respecting the ^icw Testament writers as well as those of the Old. Already the Studies have shown that the Church was instructed by writers of Epistles representing at least three diffen-nt modes of thought — (1) James and Jude, (2) Peter, (3) Paul. The Holy Spirit regards the individuality of each writer. So clearly is this true, that, though Paul was counted for centuries the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, he is no longer so counted. The scholars of to-day are not able to fix upon the author of this Epistle, but they are sure it is not Paul. " Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to who the author really was, the belief that he was Paul is practically abandoned."' Why has there been such a change of view ? Because Hetrews the body of Christian thinkers have been led to see that pau*,'."'"' *""" the Epistle is a fresh putting of Christianity. It is a wminos. remarkable and masterful composition, treating the Chris- i George MlUlgan, IS; Purves, sec. 272; N. 0. B., 28-88; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 385. 191 192 Studies in the Apostolic Church. tiiui system in siu'li ii comprehensive way that it takes its place hcside tlic synoptic Gospels, the Pauline Epistles, or the writing's of John. It is in complete harmony with tiie mode in which Paul puts Christianity, hut it is dif- ferent, and the wonder is that this fact was not discov- ered earlier. As to its styU every sentence is carefully linished, every period exactly halanced, while Paul is nota- ble for digressions, and variations from a regular order. Hebrews is calm, Paul intense; he has passed through a great religious crisis, the author of Hebrews has not. The latter has derived his Christian knowledge from dis- ciples of the Lord; Paul from Christ himself. With Paul the Law is moral recjuirenient, convicting of sin, but powerless to give the soul deliverance; with the writer of Hebrews, Law is the priestly and temj)le ritual, typical of Christianity, a lower gospel leading the worshiper onward into its antitype, the tinal and perfect religion. Paul sees til' risen Ciirist, and the believer created anew "in liim;" the author of Hebrews sees the ascended Christ, and the disciple coming to him as high priest, or follow- ing his example, as Son of the Father and "forerunner" into the heavenly sanctuary. Of those who have been suggested as the author of the Suggestions as to the ■,•,■,■,,,, -- ^ Author, -bpistle, liarnabas was named by TertuUian, and is favored by a strong list of modern writers, as is also Apollos, prom- inently brought forward by Luther. A recent and sur- prising theory is that by Harnack, who suggests that the letter may have come from Priscilla and Aquila, the for- mer being the actual writer. Tliis accounts for the sup- pression of the name. Professor A. S. Peaks remarks: " While it can not be said that Harnack hiw proved his point, his identitication seems to be the most probable that has yet been proposed.'" But Professor Bruce con- cludes: "We must be content to remain in ignorance as to the writer of this remarkable work. . . . Was it »N.C'.B.,38. Hebrews, Gospels, and Acts. 193 not meet thut he who tells us at the outset that (iod's last great word to men was spoken by liis Son should disap- pear like a star in the presence of the great luminary of day ?" The question of the Church or community to which Community tiic Epistle was addressed is perhaps as diHicult to deter- and u"e!* mine as that of its author. As sound a supposition as any is made by Milligan, that it was destined for the .lewish Church in Rome, which had originated from those who heard the gospel at Pentecost, and had remained dis- tinct from the larger Koman Church to which Paul wrote. The time, according to tliis writer, was u3 or G4 A. 1)., shortly before the persocuiion by Xero.' Hut the more common opinion would reverse the situation and have the Epistle sent from Italy, to Hebrew Christians in the coast regions of Palestine or Syria.' And in this case the probalde date would be from Co to 09 A. I)., though some would place it after the destruction of Jerusalem from 70 to 80 A. D. Th^ contents of the Epistle will be summarized in Contents. connection with the constructive readings. Dr. Westcott was accustomed to say that the Epistle to the Hebrews was one of the two books of the Bible that had the most specific message for the difficulties of our own day. STUDY XXX.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Heb. ii, 3. Read Heb. i, ii. Xote that the main theme of the Epistle is that the Christian religion is perfect and final, as a covenant relation established by God with man • MlUlaan, 45-61; N. C. B.. -dr.-JH. • Bartlet, 280-282; Purves, 288; Bruce, Ha»t. Bib. Diet., II, SSI. 13 194 Studies in the Apostolic Church. through liis Son. In his opening words the writer strikes the keynote of all tlmt follows in a contrast between the prophets and the Son through whom God has now spoken. The first eomparison is between the Son and angels, to whom he is superior both in himself antl in the glory to wliich he has been raised through humiliation iu be- coming man. STXJDY XXX.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Heb. iii, 8. Head Ileb. iii. After a short practical appeal to the Hebrew Christians not to neglect "so great salvation," the writer next shows that Christ is superior to Moses, and by another appeal points the readers to the true Sabbath rest. Suggestions for Map Work and Skiripture Outline. As this Epistle shows the influence of Alexandrian ideas, draw a map and mark the course from Jerusalem to Alexandria by land, and fi-om Alexandria to Casarea by water. See either map. Scripture Outlinb.— Theme : The finality of the Christian religion as mediated in God's Son, Heb. i, 1-4 ; The Son superior to angels, i, 5— ii ; Also superior to Mose.^, iii, 1-6; Practical exhortation, iii, 7— iv, 13 ; The Son'n glory as High Priest, intro- duced by exhortation, iv, 14-16 ; His qualifications for priest- hood, V, 1-10; Renewed exhortation preparing for main truth, V, 11— vi ; The Son an absolute High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, vii. (Outline concluded in Study XXXI, Third Day.) STUDY XXX.— Fourth Day. Memorj verses, Heb. iv, 9, 15. Ecad Ileb. iv. The exhortation respecting the true Sabbath rest is concluded and that added relating to Christ as our High Priest. Oeneral References. Purves, sees. 172, 272, 273; Bartlet, 277-289; McClymont, 116-122; Stevens, 483-522; Farrar (E. D.), 60, 61, 158-305; George Milligan, 3-170; Hast. Bib. Diet., Epistle to Hebrews. Hebrews, Gospels, and Acts. 195 STUDY XXX.-Flfth Day. .Alomory Verso, Heb. v, 8. Roiid Jlcl). V. The writer iu»\v gives the quiililicunonH of all high priesthood, and ehowa th f.t they are fultilltM] in Christ, who liiis " Icariu'd ..ueuieiiro hy the things wiiich he HulTer.'d." IIo then seeks to bring the heivrers of his message to th<^ stage where they can receive the "solid food" of doctrine. Topics for Personal Investigation and for AssiRnment iu Class- work. 1. The heavenly culling and character of the Church, Acts ii, 33; 1 Thess. i, 10; 2 Thoss. ii, 14; 1 Cor. xiii, 12; Uom. viii, 18; Col. iii, 1-4; Eph. ii, 6, 7; Phil, iii, 14, 'iO, 21; 2 Tim. iv, 8, 18; 1 Peter i, 4; Jude 24; 2 Peter i, 10, 11; Heb. iii, 1; xii, 22, 23 ; Rev. xxi, », 27 ; 1 John iii, 2, 3. 2. Alexandria, its life and thought. Farrar (U. D ) 158- 185; Host. Bib. Diet. 3. The Lcvitical system. Hast. Bib. Diet., Priests and Levites, Priest in New Testament. ' Melchizedek. N. C. B., 152-159; Bib. Diet. 5. The doctrine of final or eternal judgment, Heb vi 2 N. C. B., 142; Milligan,38. 6. Authorship of the Epistle to the Het-ews. Milligan S-33; Farrar (E. I).), 185-222; 689-697. STUDY XXX.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Heb. vi, 18. Read Ileb. vi. The appeal, continued in this chapter, is that the Hebrew Christians pass out of the " first pri- ciples of Christ, and press on unto perfection." To the who revert to the old life the author holds out no hope of renewed repentance, since they "crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." But he is "persuaded better things" of his readers, and desires that they be active and persevering, since God' makes sure, even by an oath, their hope, which enters into that within the veil, whither as a forerunner Jesus has entered, "having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." 196 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Questions for Written Answers. 1. Givf tlio nniUi'H of writers of Epi»tle» alreiidy reviewni, reprt'senting nt IcaHt throe different modes of thought. 2. Why is the Epistle to the Hebrews no lonRor assigned to Paul? 3. (live some points of contrast between this Epistle and Paul's writings. 4. Mention five persons who ttve been thought of as author of Tlebrews. 5. To wliom is Christ the Son shown in this Epistle to be ■u|)erior? STUDY XXX.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Heb. vii, 25. Read Heb. vii. The cliaraotcr and greatness of the priest king, Melohizedek, and the need of a priesthood of a higher order tliiin the Levitical arc preeented, and it is shown that Christ meets all the eonditions. "For sucli a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undetiled, sepa- rated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." Personal Thought. " Let us, therefore, draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace." Heb. iv, 6. Those who have the most abundant privileges often make least use of them. With what jealous interest would the high priest prize his right to enter once a year, with trembling, into the dread silence and darkness behind the veil. And do I, who can come at any moment, "with boldness, unto the throne of grace," make such use as I ought and as I need of my great right ? Read Dan. vi, 10. PART VTI.-THIRTY-FIRST WEEK. THE LIFE OF CHlil.ST AND TIIK FOUNDIXd OF THE EAKLY CIIURCU GIVEN IILS- TORIC, WRITTEN FORM. STUDY XXXI.-Flrst Day. Memory Verse, Ileb. ii, 8. It is not eiisy for most readers to realize that until Or.i ocpei*. about the date now reached none of the written Gospels had appeared Placed first in the New Testament, as it is familiarly known, they are almost unconsciously thought of as being first in time. Hut oral Gospels,' in the form of apostolic sermons or accounts of Christ's words and deeds, death and resurrection, were doubtless constantly used from the bejjrinning, and /.y repetition would tend to assume fixity of outline. This body of narrative, in nearly the words first em.iloyed by the apostles as the original witnesses, would be repeated from one worker to another throughout the Churches, and become a common posses8i> 1. But in time the need would become apparent of reducing these current nurrutives to i)ermanent, written form. It is regarded by some as probal)lc that the Epis- tles of Paul (juickened Uiis demand that the account of Christ's life should be written. Thus arose our first tluco CJospels which seem to have Synoptic Oo* been accepted almost at once as huvii.g ajjostolic author- '^''• ity. The course of events in these three Gos^jcls is almost exactly the same, from the minisl'-y of John the Baptist, with which Mark opens, onward, so they are called Syn- optic Gospels. The Gospel of John is distinct, and will be considered later with his other writings. Of the Synoptic Gospels, Mark is now regarded as Qospeiof having been written first, and probably at Rome, shortly *"■*• after Pe ter's death. It contains, in large degree, the ■Purves, sees. 301-808; Bartlet, 352-868; Hast. Bib. Diet., II., 238-240. 197 ;1 «f I nj8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Hiibstunco of Putor'a niirrutive of Christ's lifo in liig ser- mons, us liourd ami rcinemberod by John Murk. It is the Gospel of Deeds, graph io and ehronoh)gicul, and sup- plies the basis of events common to the Synoptic (Jospels. It may safely bo dated in the years (55-70 A. D.' Ooapciof If it wus g.von to Peter, through Mark, to leave to the Matthew, (ijijreh for ull time the simple, vivid, original tJospel of uetion, it was grunted to Matthew to produce what has Iieen termed "the most importunt bocjk that has ever been written," the tioape' of oir Lord's kingly majesty, great public discourses, end fuliillment of Old Testament prophecy. Ita immense value arises from the fact that it appears to reproduce most directly Christ's main doc- trinal sayings or discourses, the lo(/ia. These may have been written by Matthew in Aramaic, thus accounting for the early tradition that his Gospel was written in Hebrew, which is not proven. This Gospel in Greek was probably written in Galilee or Syria in the yeara from. 67 to 75 A. D., with its immediate aim, like that of the Epistle to the Hebrews, to confirm the wu'.oring faith of Jewish C. ristians.' Qoapeiof If Mark w^rote the realistic Gospel and Matthew the LiAr Messianic, Luke comiwsed what may be culled the catholic Gospel, "the most beautiful book that bus ever been written." Matthew is suggestive of the past and the Jews; Mark, of the present and the Romans; Luke, of the future and the race. It boars the impress of u his- torian, u man of literary and artistic temperament, a soul radiant with universal sympathy, in communion with Pauline ideals. Itome, Ciesarea, and Antioch have been thought of as favorable places for its preparation, but upon this there is no clear light. Its date lang-^a from 70 to 80 A. D.' >BartIet,864-»»; Porves.see. 278; McClymont, 21-26; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 2vt-2«2. «Bartlet,36»-8«3, 86&-87I; Piirves, see. 277; Hast. Bib. Diet., Ill, 29ft-306. •Bartlet, 40(M17; Purvefc, sec. 27»; Moffatt, 271-274; N.C.B..8-38: Hast. Bib. Diet., 1B2-I7a. Hebrews, Gospels, and Acts. 199 From Luko oamu tliu two longest wriiin^s ijf the Now AcUof um TostumoiU. IIi8 GoHpc'l is the ino^l extended, and uvxt *«»«»^«« to it is the Acts of tho ApoHtlos. Thu luttor is ulnr, ono of tho llfHt in importance. It ia the chief authority, eitlier within or w ,ut the Hihle, for the foun.linj? of the Church a'ld ita early growth. " The first thirty years of Ciiur.di lift was a vast subject to take in hand, but Luke understood the true principle of deulinf,' with it." He gathers the record around perHonalities— (list, I'eter, and, second, Paul— wlio are "represented as a pair of athletes wrestling on behalf of the thurcii." Altogetiier there are ono hu.idred and ten persons named in its pages, and how distinctly each appears! Then how per- fectly the entire record is welded together into one whole I " Without any jar or break from the small beginnings at Jerusalem we are led on, step by step, with increasing interest and enthusiasm, to tho great climax f Paul at Ro";e-"' If we ask for Luke's immediate motive 'n boith writings, it may be that, in a time of growing persecution by the empire, he would exhibit the full spirit of Ciiris- tianity, and show how, in earlier and happier years, at nil points of trial, tho State pronounced in it's favor. The date of Acts is probably between 72 and 8-^ A. D.' The production and historical place of the above- named writings are hero given. The full treatment of their contents can bo found in "Studies iv the Life of Christ," and in Studies I-XXII of this textbook. Above all, do not neglect the memory verses. The great words of Scripture, if once firmly fixed in the mind, will follow our ship like sea gulls through all the stormy passage of life, ' Rackham, xiH-xlvll. •Ramsay, l-as, 804-812. a8ft-a89; Rackham. IntroducUon: N.C B 3- ao; Hast. Bib. Diet., I, 25-85. .to- ff 3»' 200 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STtTDT XXZX.— Saoond D«y. Memory Verae, Ileb. viii, U. Ruud Hub. viti. Tho author indicates in thii chapter the genoral condition nnder which Chrint exorciset his high-priostly ministry, as they fix the nature of the new covenant, which is finely pictured by a groat paaaage from Jeremiah.' STUDY XXXI.— Th'rd Day. Memory Verw, Heb. Ix, U. Roud Ileb. ix. There are now given five points of contrast: First, as to the place of ministry, instead of tho earthly tabernacle, Christ ministers mi the heavenly; second, as tu the offering, inMtead of animal life, it is his own life offered continuously, in his eternal spiritual es- tate; third, as to the power and effect of tliis offering, instead of only ceremonial cleanness, Christ's work p.o- duces a real cleansing of the conscience, and hallowing of the new covenant ; fourth, as to tho frequency of the offering, instead of being "year by year,' it is "once" and forever. SuirereBtlons for Map Work and Sorlpttire Outline. On the supposition that the Epistle to the Hebrews was sent from Gaesarea to Rome, trace the course of thf bearer of the letter, if he went by land, only making by Iwat the passage from Troas to Neapolis, and from ApoUonia to Italy. See either map. ScBiPTi'RK OuTLiNK.— General couditions of Christ's high- priestly ministry, Heb, viii ; Five points of contrast with the Levitical system, ix— x, 18; Exhortation to draw near and re- main true, X, 19-39; Faith and its heroes, xi ; God's discipline through suffering, xii, 1-13; Purity of the Church, 14-17; Two dispensations compared, 18-29; Practical duties, and closing requests, greetings, and benedictions, xiii. (Concluded from Study XXX, Third T)ay.) STUDY XXXI.— Fourth Day. Memorj Verse, Heb. x, 14. Read Ileb. x. A fifth point of contrast is the finality of Christ's offering in its powt to cleanse, consecrate, ijer. zxxl,81-M. Hebrews, Gospels, and Acts. 20 1 uiul perfect the believer, who is, therefore, to (iriiw near in un uttitudo of faith, hope, and h)ve, ao pHrtiiking in hi^h- priexthoojl. The renders are warned of judgment ujwn apoHtuny, and encouraged to patient endurance. Oeneral Referenooa. I'urvps, wcK. IHJ. 277-280, 301-304; IJartlct, les .', 3fi2- 371, 409-417, r.O0-fill; Mf(!lym.>nf , 1-46; Stcvfiix, 1-7, l'47-249; Farrnr (M. H.), 8-139; Hint. Bib. Diet., CtimjM'lH, Acti» of tin) ApoMtlctf. STUDY XXXI.-Flfth Day. Memory Verse. Hch. xi, 0. IJead Ileb. xi. There in ivow j^'ivcii a statement of the meaning of faith, and a roll of its Old Testament exemplars. Topics for Personal Investigation and for ABsiffnment in Olasa-work. 1. The earthly history of the Church. Acts i. l-«; ii, 1-4; viii,4, 5; ix, 15; x,44; xi.L'B; xiii,l 3; xv, 30, 31, 39, 40; xviii, 23; xix, 1, 10; xxii, 11; xxviii, 16,30,31; 2 Tim. iv,0; 2 IVter i, 18,14; Kev.i, 1; 1 .I.-liii v, 20. 2. How and win-n the Synoptic Gogf -U were produced. See Referenf^es in Narnitive. 3. The historicMl accuracy ami purpose " Acts. Refer- ences in Narrative ; IJnrtlct, 108-i7:'; l^'evens, 249. 4. .Jewish war and full <>f .Jerusiilem. Fiirrar (E. D.), 476- 488,557-663; Bnrtle* , 280-276 ; Bib. Diet. 6. Furniture of tlu' Tuberimcle, Heb. ix, 2-5. Farrar (E. D.). 265--70; Bib. Diet. 6. Hi«h-priestiy service on the Day of .\tonement, Heb. ix, 7. Farrar (E. D.), 276-278, 701-705; Millipm, 162-168. 7. Christ's perfect high-priestly ministry, Heb. viii — x, 18. Milligan, 134-161 ; Stevens, 506-514. 8. Heroes of faith, Heb. xi. Farrar (E. D.), 288-294; Ste- vens, 615-519 9. Chastisement, Heb. xii. 5-11. N. C. B., 227-229. 10. Two covenants or diapen.sations, Heb. viii, 6-13 ; xii, 18- 29. Milligan, 171-191; Stevens, 490-497. 11. Sacrifice of praise, Heb. xiii, 15. N. C. B., 243; Milli- gan, ISO, isi. 202 Studies in the Apostolic Church. STUDY XXXI.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Heb. lii, 1. Read Heb. xii. The Christian is running a race. Suffering or chastening is shown to be a token of son- ship. After a caution not to fall short of the grace of God, nor despise the birthright, Sinai and Zion are pic- tured. God's call is not to be refused. Questions for Written Answers. 1. How did oral Gospels arise? 2. What New Testament writings were probably produced before written Gospels ? 3. Within about what dates did the Synoptic Gospels ap- pear ? 4. Give three points concerning each of these Gospels. 5. What is the date of Acts, and perhaps Luke's immediate motive in his two writings ? 6. Mention Ave topics in Heb. viii — xiii ? STUDY XXXI.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Heb. xiii, 15. Read Heb. xiii. The readers are urged to practice brotherly love, hospitality, care for the persecuted, purity, contentment, and freedom from avarice ; to be responsive to right teachers and teaching, and to offer the sacrifice of praise and helpful deeds. The Epistle then closes with prayerful requests, salutations, and benedictions. Rapidly review Parts V-VII. Personal Thought. "A sacrifice of praise to God continually, . . . the fruit of lips which make confession to his n&me." Heb. xiii, 15. Do I constantly praise God in my testimony ? Praise for blessings received is the best way of ap- proach to more. Read Psa. 1, 23. PAET YIII. THE CHURCH INSTRUCTED BY JOHN. THIRTY-SEOOND WEEK. THE SEER OX PATMOS— MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. The Apostle John's Life. STUDY XXXII .— First Day. Memory Verse, Rev. i, 8. Two leading apostles, Peter and Paul, both by their Three Apo». actions and writings, up to the point now reached, did *°"'^ Leaders. most to give direction to early Church history. A third, the Apostle John, fills out the first century, and completes the period assigned to the Apostolic Church. John first appears in the opening chapter of the Gos- pel that bears his name as a disciple of John the Baptist. With Andrew and Peter, Philip and Xathanael, he follows Christ. At a later date, when our Lord began his Gali- lean ministry, he more formally called James and John ; and these with Peter may be regarded as the inner circle of his apostles. As such, they enjoyed the special privi- lege of witnessing certain events. They were with Christ when Jairus's daughter was raised, and also on tlie Mount of Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsomane. James and John were so severe and intense in spirit that Jesus called them "Boanerges," or "Sons of thunder." Their mother, Salome, is regarded by many as a sister of Mary the mother of Christ, thus making them first cousins of their Master. This may explain why she asked Christ that her sons might sit on his right and left hand in hia kingdom. They desired that fire be called down from heaven upon the unfriendly Samaritan village. But John, 203 204 Studies in the Apostolic Church. who was probably Christ's youngest apostle, became known as " the disciple whom Jesus loved," leaned on his breast at the last supper, and had committed to his care the mother of Christ at the crucifixion. He outran Peter on the way to the tomb, but stopped at the entrance, while his impetuous companion went in, when he followed. This shows that he was not the man to take the initiative, and in the Book of Acts it is "Peter and John" who healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, suffered arrest, and later visited Samaria to conserve the revival under Philip. Yet his future prominence in the Church was indicated in Chrisl'i last interview with some of the apostles at the Sea of Galilee, and he is mentioned, Gal. ii, 9, among the "pillar" apostles, "who gave to me and Barnabas," says Paul, " the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circum- cision." This agreement was not meant to be strictly and permanently binding ; for the Lord had commanded the Twelve to go and make disciples of "all the nations." At what time John went to Ephesus is not known, but his presence and later ministry and influence in the prov- ince of Asia are well attested.' His closing years will be noticed in Study XXXV. Revelation of The present view of scholars very generally places the '*"*'"' Book of Revelation first among the Johannine writings, and holds that it was produced at Ephesus between 07 and 85 A. D.' It partakes of the nature of both a pro- phetif^iil and an apocalyptic work, the messages to the eevo Churches being in the mode of the former, and the remainder of the book in that of the latter ; for prophecy sought chiefly to lead God's people to repentance by warning them of judgments, while apocalypses were de- signed to encourage them under tribulation by showing that judgments were approaching their enemies. The ' Hast, BJb. Diet., II, 882, 6m. •Bartlet, 404. 408: N. O.B., 66; M. 8. Terry. Biblical ApcK;alyptlc8, 268; Temple Bible, vll. Instructed by John. 205 last named is the maiu service of thia most peculiar New Testament book. It was a time of great trial to the Chris- tian communities in the province of Asia and probably al- most everywhere throughout the empire. The example of Xero's savage treatment of Christians at Rome would inspire a policy of attack upon them, and in many places Jewiah hatred of the new sect would now find the officers of the State responsive to their vengeful purposes. It is evident that already at Smyrna and Philadelphia the Churches had suffered much from this source, and at Pergamum, Antipas and probably others had died "for the testimony of Jesus." At the same time the internal condition of the Churches called for searching admoni- tion and rebuke. Worldliness was rife, subtle heresies were sapping the vigor of faith, and false leaders poison- ing the springs of morals, so that some were "lukewarm' and others "dead" to the influences of a true and holy gospel. Let us keep in mind the intensely practical pur- pose of this book. The curious speculations of many concerning its meaning are in contrast to the vehe- mently earnest and pressing message intended to be conveyed by the writer. STUDY XXXII.— Second Day. Memory Verse, K. v. i, 6. Read Rev. i. In the original the first word is "Apoc- alypse." And it is the Apocalypse or Revelation "of Jesus Christ." This is the notable and impressive feature of the book. From beginning to end Christ is Divine, supreme, all-conquering. His redemptive work is also exalted. Note how it begins to find expression in this chapter in ver. 5, 7, 18. See also v, 6, 13; vii, 14; ziii, 8. ^fe 2o6 Studies in the Apostolic Church. ;i STUDY XXXn.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Rev. ii, 7. Read Rev. ii, 1-11. The first message or letter is to the Church at Ephesus, the chief city of the province, wherb St. John resided. An early conjecture assigns the origin of the sect of the Nicolaitans to Nicolas men- tioned in Acts vi, 5, but has not much weight of authority. Smyrna alone of the ocven cities flourishes to-day. Its Church was wholly commended. Sugsrestions for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Make a rather large outline map of the Province of Asia and locate the seven cities. See either map, or Hurlbut, 132-134 ; MacCoun, II, 116. Scripture Outline. — Superscription, Rev. i, 1-3; Saluta- tion, 4-8; The Seer, 9-10; The Son of man, 11-16; Commission to write, 17-20; To Ephesus, ii, 1-7; To Smyrna, 8-11 ; To Per- gamum, 12-17; To Thyatira, 18-29; To Sardis, iii, 1-6; To Phil- adelphia, 7-13 ; To Laod'cea, 14-22. (Continued in Study XXXIII, Third Day. STUDY XXXII.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. ii, 25. Read Rev. ii, 12-29. In ver 13, "Satan's throne" is by some thought to refer to the worship of ^sculapius, the god of medicine,* whose symbol was the serpent. But Ramsay strongly favors the view that it was emperor- worship, prominent here because the city was still the oflBcial capital of the province.'' General References. Purves, sees. 313, 314, 818, 319 ; Bartlet, 388, 399-402 ; Me- Clymont, 150-155; Stevens, 523-629, 536-549; Farrar (E. D.), 416-463, 464-475,491-509; Wm. MilHgan, 1-160; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 680-683 ; 690, 691 ; IV, 239-266. STUDY XXXII.-Fifth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. iii, 4. Read Rev. iii, 1-13. Milligan thinks a difference can be seen between the first three Churches and the last four, 1 Exp. Bib., 49; Bnrtlet, 808, 899. "Hast. Bib. Die'.., Ill, 749-752. i,;"*! Instructed by John. 207 the former suggesting the Church, the latter the world, because in the latter only a remnant remains faithful while the body of the Church has gone over to the side of the world.* Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. The Divine searchings, cleansings, and renewings of the Church. Acta i, 20-26; v, 1-11; James iv, 8-10; Gal. ii, 14; 1 Cor. ill, 1-3; v, 12, 13; 2 Cor. vi, 17— vii, 1; Rom. xi, 22, 23; Eph. 17, 20, 23; 1 Peter iv, 17, 18; Jude, 17-21 ; Heb. xii, 11-13; Rev. ii, 4, 5 ; iii, 1-6, 15-20 ; xxi, 1, 2. 2. Sketch of John's earlier life. Farrar (E. D.), 416-463; Hast. Bib. Diet., John ihe Apostle. 8. Apocalyptic literature. Bartlet, 388-391 ; Milligan, 1-35 ; N.C.B., 25-34; Bib. Diet. 4. Smyrna. Exp. Bib., 46-48 ; N. C. B., 140; Hast. Bib. Diet. 5. Perganum. N. C. B., 141, 142; Exp. Bib., 4&-51 ; Hast. Bib. Diet. 6. Laodicea. N. C. B., 155; Orr, Neglected Factors, 111; Hast. Bib. Diet. STUDY XXXII.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. iii, 18. Read Rev. iii, 14-22. Laodicea was a small city until after the Roman period had begun ; then it rapidly became great and rich. Destroyed by an earthquake in A. D. 60, it disdained on account of its wealth to seek help from the e^iperor in rebuilding, as many of the greatest cities of Asia had done. Its main trade was in garments made from the beautiful glossy black wool of its sheep. A remedy called "Phrygian Powder," for weakness of eyes, was probably prepared here. Mark the allusions in ver. 17, 18. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What three apostles most fully gave direction to Apos- tolic Church growth? 2. Put down briefly what you can remember of John's life. 1 Wm. MiUiKau, 177-176; Exp. Bib.. 37-13; N. C. B., 130. 2o8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 3. What word gives the class of writing to which the book of Revelation belongs? 4. What conditions called for the book? 5. What may be the meaning of "Satan's seat" in the message to Pergamum? 6. What place does the Apocalypse give to Christ and his atoning work? STUDY XXXII.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Rev. iii, 20. The messages to the seven Churches were designed to be representative and complete for the Church in general through all time.' "Throughout the messages to the seven cities it is evident that the writer knew the cir- cumstances of each city, and alluded to many facts of its present or past life."' Personal Thought. to sit down ' ' He that overcometh, I will give . . with me in my throne." Rev. iii, 21. It is the overcoming life that secures the reward, presented under the different figures in the letters of these chapters, and in Rev. xxi, 7. Consider how much it means " to eat of the tree of life," "not to be hurt of the second death," to be given "the hidden manna," the "white stone," and "author- ity over the nations," to be "arrayed in white garments," to have one's name in " the book of life," be an heir in the New Jerusalem, a "pillar" in the temple of God, and to sit enthroned with Christ. Are you overcoming? Read Phil, iv, 13. > Exp. Bib., 88-18; Terry, 814. > Ramsay, Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, {66. PART VIII.-THIRTY-THlilD WEEK. THE WARKAKE OF GOOD AND EVIL. STUDY XXXIII.— First Day. M.Muory Verse, Rev. iv, 11. Tlu) coulral portion of Jolm'.s A])o<'alyi)so, or chaptors a Central iv — X.X, forma a vast panoruina of vi.sioiis ami syinl)ol8, ^"=^ from which one clear fact emerges, — it is a picture or representation of conllict between good and evil. Let tlie reader or student fi.x upon this fact as the key to the chief message of this portion of the bonk, and whatever else may bo obscure liis efTort to grasp the meaning of that wliich is written will not be fruitless; for tiie issue of this confiict is the supreme triumph of good. Tliis part of the Apocalypse has a terrible and san- Historical gninary background of history, dark witli wickedness and Background. crime, and deeply stained with blood, during the later years of Xero's reign, the Jewi.sh revolt against Rome, and the destructioJi of .TcrusaU'iii. Tlie peace and security of to-day make it impossible to conceive of such scenes of violence and misery as almost tilled the world at that time. Farrar says concerning the Ajjocalypse: "Wo must read it by the lurid light of the bale-tires of martyr- dom. We must try to feel as Christians felt when they saw their brethren torn by the wild beasts of the amphi- theater, or standing as living torches, each in his pitcliy tunic, on one ghastly night at Rome. Such a l)Ook was needed when men saw an Antichrist, a wicked liuman god, sitting absolute, and slavishly adored, upon tlie throne of the civilized world ; or holding foul orgies in the streets of the mystic Babylon, red with the blood of the martyrs of the Lord. It was written in days of earthquakes, and inundations, and volcanic outbursts, and horrible prodigies. Emperor after emperor was per- 14 209 2IO Studies in the Apostolic Church. :ln Uessage Con- cealed. ishing by poison, suicide, or slaufrhter. Alike Rome and Jorusiilem Imd bei;ii doluged witii iiiiissacre. At suc:iiin hour — luTluips tiiu iliMimust and most diaastroua which ever fell upon an atllicted world— the Seer still prophesies triumpliantly of the coming dawn. It shows us the strug- gle of good and evil, of light and darkness. There is God and Suan ; there is the Ilurlot City and the New Jerusalem ; there is Michael and the Dragon; there is heaven and the abyss; there are the armies of the saints and the armies of the idolaters.'" It is stated, Rev. i, 9, that the writer "was in the isle .hat is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testi- mony of Jesus." This is rightly understood as meaning John's banishment to the island because of h's preaching,' and has variously been placed in the reigns of Xero, Ves- pasian, and Domitian. Whenever it occurred, it is an added mark of the hostility of the empire to the Chris- tian cause. Tliua the very form and mode of expression of the Apocalypse may spring in pare from the necessity of concealing its message from the officers and spies of the government. John wrote in parabh; and symbol that reading they might not underptand. And so it happens that later generations have not understood, and even now to the muss of Christians the Revelation is a sealed book. It doubtless brought wondrous cheer to Christ's flock then, and it still has the same comfort for all who go beyond its figurative language and find its underlying truth. '*""gS " '^^^ °^^^^^ ^^ *^® ^^^^ ^^ *<* "^'■^° *h® trembling Not Distant ^'lith of the Asian Churches in the first place, and through Events, these the whole Church, to face the strain of the pres- ent, and the probable agony of the immediate future."' " Hardly any book in the New Testament is so relative to the age that saw its birth, and less looks toward or is •Farrnr(M.B.), 518,519. «N.O. B.,180; Hast. Bib. Diet., :V, 268. •0. Aiulersou Scott, N. 0. B., 64, 06. Instructed by John. 211 adapted to tho distant future."" "It is a representation in which an idea, not the time needed for tho exnrcssion of the idea, plays the ciu-f part. While tho Apoeulypso embraces the whole period of the Christian dispensation it sets before us within this period the action of great itrinciplcs and not special incidents. In this respect it follows closely the lines of our Lord's last discourse in the three earlier Gospels." ' In its opening sentences tho book itself declares that " the time is at hand " and that through this revelation God enables John to show "the things which must shortly come to pass." It is not possible to determine the oxact time when Date. the Apocalypse was written. Most agree that it was after John left Patmos, for he says. Rev. i, 9, " I was in tho isle." The most probable date is in the reign of Vespa- sian, pnd about 77 A. D.' To the modern reader it is far more important to get the general impression of the Book of Revelation than the specific interpretation of the various sym- bolical representations. STUDY XXXIII.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Rev. v, 9. Read Rev. iv, v. As chapters ii and iii give the sit- uation of the Church on earth, so chapters iv and v pre- sent the situation in heaven; in which the center of praise und worship is God as Creator, and then as Redeemer, in the Lamb, who is able to open the sealed book. STUDY XXXm.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Rev. vii, 14. Read Rev. vii, 9 — viii, 6. With chapter vi the action of the book begins, and Christ opens six seals. In the iBartIet,40«. 'Wm. MiUlgan, 163. • N. C. B., 6«, 70; Bftrtlet, 399, 404, 408. fi 212 Studies in the Apostolic Church. lirst part of chapter vii, which forms au interlude, tho saved compose a definite number, are scaled "un their foreheads," and assigned to tho twelve tribes of Israel; in the latter part the unnumbered multitude of the saved are disclosed in perfect purity and joy. The one section may suggest Old Testament limitation, the oilier tho unbounded fullness of gospel salvation. Chupier viii notes tho solemn hush of heaven at the opening of the seventh seal, which completes ouo series, by developing another of seven trumpets. Suffgeations for Map Work and Scripture Outline. Draw an enlarged map of the southwest coast of Asia Minor and the Isltind uf Palmos. It is about seventy miles from Ephesus. See either map, or Hurlbut, 132-134: MacCoun, 116. ScRiPTrRB OuTLiNK. — Glory and worship in heaven: The Creator, the Redeemer, Rev. iv, v; Six seals, vi ; First inter- lude: The numbered and the blessed, vii ; Coming forth of the trumpets out of the seventh seal, viii, 1-6 ; Six trumpets, viii, 7— ix; Second interlude: Little book, temple, two witnesses, x — Xi, 14 ; Seventh trumpet, xi, 15-19 ; Messiah's kingdom and its foes, xii — xiv ; Preparation for the bowls, iv — xvi, 1 ; Seven bowls, xvi, 2-21. (Continued from Study XXXII, and concluded in Study XXXIV, Third Day.) STUDY XXXni.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xii, 11. Read Rev. xii. Dr. M. S. Terry' divides the Apoc- alypse into two parts, of which the first is the Revelation of the Lamb, i — xi, and the second the Revelation of the Bride, xii — xxii, and indicates that tho second half of the book is a new cycle similar to the first half. Others would make the different series, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, like a spiral, each additional circle rising higher, and each approaching the same goal.' The "woman," ver. 1, is the symbol of God's true people; the 1 Biblical Apocalyptlcs, 271-274,881. *N. V. B., ov, Tu; Mltilgan, ^101. Instructed by John. 2«3 child, of Christ, and perhupa tho infiiiit Chriatiun Church ; the dragon, of the devil. Oeneral References. Purves, HffH. 819, 3'JO ; Bartlpt, 888-4f)8; McClyimmt. 153- 168; Steven*. 6-»3-5r)3; Fiirrar (K. I).), 484-666; Win. MilliKan, 14-163; Hwt. Bib. Diet., IV, 280-:'ei. STUDY XXXIII.-Fifth Day. .Memory V<"p»o, Uev. xiii, 7. Keiid Ut'v. xiii, l-lo. There is geiienil agreeineut of view that the heui^t here pictured means die Honian Empire. The " iiame.'j of hhiHpliemy," ver. 2, duuljtle.ss refers to the titles given the emperors, like Divine Au- gustus. To this brutal world po»ver ''the dragon," or Satan, gives dominion. Topics for Personal Investigation and for Assigrnment in Olass-work. 1. The conflict of the Church with evil lowers. Acts iii, IS- IS; vii, 69, 60; ix, 1, 2, 19, IH); xii, 1, 23, '24; .Jamep v, 3; Acta xiii, 8-12; 1 Thess. ii, 14-16; 2 Thews', ii, 8, 9; Acts xix, 11, 12, 19; Rom. ii,4-0; Epli. vi, 10-13; 2 Tim ii, 3; Jude, 3;.Heb. x, 82; Rev. xvii, 14; 1 Joiin iii, 8. 2. Nero and liis reigi . FuiTar (K. D.), 11-62, 470-473, 628- 643; Bib. Diet. 8. Vespa.xian. Bartlet, 399; Bib. Diet. 4. Patmos. Hurlbui, 133, 134; Whedon, Com., V,831. 5. Symbols in the Bible. Miiligan, 22-40. 6. The fis;iires and laiiKuagc of the .Vpocalypse as found in the Old Testament. Milligmi, 71-77; I'.artlet, .391. 7. Apocalypse in our Lord's discourses. T^rry, 213-252; Miiligan, 41-59. 8. Meaning of the periexi of three and one-ha'f years, forty- two months, or twelve hundred and sixty days, Ri'v. xi, 2,3; xii, 6, 14; xiii, 5. N. C. B., 218, 219, 237; Farrar (E. D.), 534; Bartlet, 392, 395; Miiligan, 203; Temple Bible, xiii. STUDY XXXIII.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xiv, 6. Eead Rev. xiii, 11-18. Most writers regard this sec- ond boast as emblem.-itic of the heathen priesthood d'- 214 Studies in the Apostolic Church. vutc'd tu building up the worahip of the Romun em- peror. Ver. 18 is hold to point out Nero to tlioae who could docipht'r the oingma, the name "Neron Kcsar" in Hebrew making 000, according to the numerical value of the letters. Questions for Written Answers. 1. How may the centrnl |M>rtion of the Apocalypie be ■ummed up? 2. What three thingB probably form a background of this part of the book? 8. Why did John need to conceal his message from Roman officers or spicH? 4. What is the most probable date of the book? 6. Whiit three series of seven symbols are clearly named ? STUDY XXXIU.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xiv, 18. Personal Thought. "And many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." Rev. viii, 11. A chief part of the Christian's fight to-rl." must b*^ against the " bitter waters " brought into human life by intoxicants and narcotics. The Greek term in this verse for "wormwood" is almost exactly the same as "ab- sinthe," the name of one of these deadly drinks cursing the world. But the warfare against these foes is not to cease until they are forever overthrown. Are you in the ranks against them ? Read 1 John iii, 4-8. 'H PART Vin.-THIRrr-POURTH WEEK. THE ETERNAL ( ITY AND HUNG. STUDY XXXIV.-nnit Day. Memory Veme, hey. ivll. 14. The feature of the Apor.ilypsp of John, which gives it power to comfort and inspire, is that it glorifies Chrint, and declares that he shall be finally and forever victori- ous over all evil. If the keynote of the previous Study was war, that of the present one is victory and peace. Conflict ia the inevitable experience of the Church, and of every genuine Christian, in this age as really as it was in the first century. Truth can never be at peace with error, holiness with sin, Christ with Satan. The Apocalypse discloses the great principle of the cross for every disciple. If John's (Jospe: is the manifestation of Christ's martyrdom, the Apocalypse is the revelation of the martyrdom of his followers. The writer "knew no Christianity that d.ies not, in one way or another, con- duct the believer tlirough tears and blood, through suf- fering and the cross, to the heavenly reward.'" But, if the Christian has conflict, he has also divine preservation in the midst of the strife, and shares in the triumph and dominion of his Lord. This thought oc- curs again atid again in the New Testament. Says Jesus, "Ye are they that have continued with me in my tempta- tions; and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'" Again, Paul writes to Timothy, "If we endure, we shall also reign with him."' This, therefore, may explain the difliculty con- Christ VIctori. oua over EvIL The Creaa and Martyr^ 4om. Conflict, Preservotlona Triumph. iMlUigan, 169. 'Luke xxii.ay. 215 32Tlm. 11, li. E^'t?W-HJLj' 21 6 Studies in the Apostolic Church. 3 ■■ nocted with tlio "resurrections" of Rev. xx. John views all believers as martyrs; for if not among those "be- headed," they are such as " worshiped not the beast, neither his image, and received not tlie mark upon their forehead and upon their hand," ver. 4. Both the state- ment tliat they "lived" and that they "reigned with Christ a thousand years " appear to be symbolic expres- sions of their triumph, the same as the first clause of the verse, " I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judg- ment was given unto tliem." The "second resurrection," so called, of vei*. 12, 13, is also symbolic, and the resur- rection of the unrighteous,' but neither the first nor tho second of these apocalyptic resurrections chronicles the actual final resurrection. They point to the fact of final resurrection, but do not give the form. They reveal tho certain triumph of the righteous and overthrow of wicked men and evil powers. The binding, loosing, and ulti- mate casting of Satan into the lake of fire' suggests stages in Christ's overcoming of his adversary. They probably do not give tlie history of the end of his king- dom, but the last symbol assures us that the devil's sway will most surely find its end. A Redeemed In like manner John's vision of "the bride, the wife Society and ^f ^^ig Lamb . . . the holy city Jerusalem, coming down of Praise, out of heaven from God," 'or his hearing "as it were the voice of a great multitude . . . saying. Hallelujah : for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth. Let us re- joice and be exceeding glad, and let us give glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come,"* may be the conclusions of a message too great to be compressed into any language of earth; but they are eloq ont of a glorious reality that is here and now, as well as in the fu- ture, an eternal city and song, a redeemed society and fel- lowship of praise, in Christ and unto Christ, for evermore. I'lerry, 450-453; MlUlgan, 227. •R«v. xxl, 9, 10. » Rov. XX, 2, 7, 10. ♦Rev. xlx.e, 7. im^^. Instructed by John. 217 "It is this which gives tho Apocalypse its pliice at the close and climax of the New Testament; this which gives it its ^lace in the heart of Christ's disciples. It descri' ■■-, as no olh-^r book does, the glory of our aa- cende( Lm-cI, and '! ■_ triumphant issue of his conflict with t -il , tli(^ pictrres which it draws of heaven and those wlu. d.-,-^' "here, of the new life where 'there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain,' commend themselves to tho Christian heart, not alone for their intrinsic beauty, but because Christ is so plainly set forth as tho Lord of that life, and his sacrifice as the way by which men at- tain unto it. "' In the Book of Revelation we have illustrated a well-nigh universal characteristic of Biblical proph- ecy. The prophets are all pessimists as to present conditions, but invincible optimists as to the final outcome. STUDY XXXrV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xvii,15. Read Rev. xvii. Nearly all writers apply the language of this chapter to Rome,' but some regard it as descrip- tive of apostate Jerusalem.' STUDY XXXIV.— Third Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xviii, 24. Read Rev. xviii. This chapter is rightly esteemed as one of the most remarkable descriptive passages of the Bible. Sugrgrestions for Map Work sjid Scripture Outline. Make a study of the extent of territory that became tribu- tary to Rome, perhaps building it up in the order in which it grew. See Hurlbut, 97, 98. 'N. C. B.,74. •Bnrtlet, 383; N. 0. B.. 280-266; Farrar (B. D.), 566,666; Stevens, 683. 584, 664, 655. •Terry, 42ft-138. 21 8 Studies in the Apostolic Church. ScBiPTUBE Outline.— Mystic Babylon and her fall, Rev. xvii, xviii; Triumphant chorus, xix, 1-8; Angel's words to John, 9, 10; First stage of Christ's final triumph over evil, xix, 11— xx, 8 ; The martyr-righteous early and completely share in Christ's triumph, xx, 4-6; Second stage of Christ's final triumph over evil, and doom of unrighteous, 7-15; The Holy City from a'^.. xxi, 1-8; The same more fully described, xxi, 9— xxii, 5; Cv.u- clusion, xxii, 6-21. (Concluded from Study XXXIII, Thii-d Day.) STUDY XXXrV.— Fourth Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xix, 8. Read Rev. xix. Xote that the triumphant chorus has regard to the past and the future ; the ruin of Babylon, the glory of New Jerusalem, Christ's bride. With ver. 11, Christ comes forth to begin his final triumph over evil. General References. Purves, sec. 320; Bartlet, 393-395; McClymont, 155; Ste- vens, 533-535, 549-663; Furrar (E. D.), 555-557; Milligan, 163- 176, 193-233. STUDY XXXrV.— Fifm Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xx, 15. Read Rev. xx. Of three great enemies, two, the beast and the false prophet, have been overcome in the last chapter. The "false prophet " probably means the priest- hood cultivating Coesar-worship. The power of the third enemy, Satan, is represented in ver. 1-3, as broken, and he is restrained, and afterward, ver. 10, utterly over- whelmed. Yet, as suggested in the Narrative, the figur- ative language is not to be taken numerically, but as giving the fact of his overthrow by Christ, and that it proceeds by stages, of which these are only symbolic in- dications. Topics for Personal Investigration and for Assignment in Class-work. 1. The complete final triumph and exaltation of the Church. Acts iii, 20, 21 ; 1 Cor. iii, 21-23 ; xv, 24, 25, 57 ; Rom. ^ MHHi Hiiiiiimii :..i -W:3^.;.t.i*:4:*.v:.; Instructed by John. 219 viii, 17, 18; Col. iii, 4; Eph. i, 10, 11; ii, 6, 7; 1 Peter i, 3-5; Heb. xii, 22-29; Rev. vii,9, 10; xvii, 14; xix,7; xxii,6; IJohn V, 20. 2. Study of first-century life as found in Rev. xviii, 10-24. Meyer, 4^14-447. 8. The precious stones used in the symbolism of the Holy City, Rev. xxi, 19, 20. Meyer, 481,482; Hast. Bib. Diet., Stones, Precious. 4. The river and the tree of life. Rev. xxii, 1, 2. N. C. B., 296,297; Terry, 470. 6. The invitation, " Come," Rev. xxii, 7. Terry, 475 ; Exp. Bib., 388-388. STUDY XXXIV.— Sixth Day. Memory Verse, Kev. xxi, 4. Read Rev. xxi. " The Xew Jerusiilem is an ideal pic- ture of the true Church now. . . . The picture may not yet be realized in fullness, but every blessing lined in upon its canvas is in principle the believer's now, and will bo more and more his in actual experience as he opens his eve to see and his heart to receive."' Questions for Written Answers. 'hat is to be the final result of Christ's conflict with evil t comes to every Chri.stian who is true to Christ ? 3. vV hat two experiences will be added if tl»e Christian is ti'ue to Christ ? 4. What class appears to be raised at the first, and what class at the second, of the two apocalyptic resurrections seen by John ? 5. Is John's vision of the New Jerusalem to be applied to the future alone, or also to the present ? STUDY XXXrV.— Seventh Day. Memory Verse, Rev. xxii, 17. Read Rev. xxii. "The description of this heavenly city — the blessed goal of the Christian's longings and hopes — is probably the most magnificent passage in all apocalyptic literature. It has proved its power in the iMUUgan, 229, 231. JLJi« if J.. 2 20 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Christian life of all subsequ*- t times, and its tones will be heard at the graves of the dead to the remotest age of Christian history. Ther j Ictures represent realities. Our Apocalypse stands as a splendid testimony to the undaunted confidence of a persecuted Church that good- ness is mightier than evil, and that the kingdom of God will at length prevail."* Memorize Rev. xii, 1-7; xxii, 1-5. PerBonal Thought. "And he that heareih, let him say. Come." Rev. xxii, 17. As a part of the Church, the "bride," and as one that " heareth " your Lord speaking peace to your own soul, if you are his, are you saying, "Come?" Christ expects this of you. Even the worldly and neglectful around you are looking to you to say it. Read 2 Cor. v, 20. > Sleveus, 662, 608. ikjr'.cip-f 'i PART VIII.— THIRTY-PIPTH WEEK. SAINTLY AGE AT EPIIESUS— GCT) IS LIGHT, GOD IS LOVE. STUDY XXXV.— First Day. >Iemory Verse, 1 John :, 3. Very beautiful are the accounts that have come down John's cios- f rom later writers concerning St. John's saintly character •"■ ^e"'*- and words and deeds in his apostolic ministry and serene old age at Ephesus. Some of these are plainly legendary, while others are so in keeping with what is known of him in the New Testament that they may be accepted, at least as filling out the ideal of a life of stainless purity and unremitting devotion and love. A touciiing story is told by Clement of Alexandria of his reclaiming a yr>"th who had been converted to the faith, but iiad fallen -to evil ways and joined a band of robbers, even becoming their chief. When St. John again visited the city where he had committed the soul of this young man to the care of the bishop, and learned of what had occurred, lie in- stantly left the Church, in his habit as he was, and, arriv- ing at the brigands' outpost, permitted himself to be cap- tured, that he might be led to their chief. At sight of the apostle the young man fled, but John with swifter feet pursued and overtook him, and with entreaties and prayers won him back to Christ. More familiarly known is the relation by Jerome of how the venerable man, too old to walk, would be carried into the church, and used constantly to address his flock with the words, " Little children, love one another." When they, impatient at this repetition, asked for something new, he replied, "That precept of the Lord suffices for you." Thus in serenity and peace he fell asleep about the close of the first century, with which his life had largely run parallel. 221 Ki 222 Studies in the Apostolic Church. First John. i ?i';i:---. "If St. John really lived till the time of Trujun— that IS, till ubout A. D. 100— there is no reason why Polycarp should not have known him.'" Joh„!i'E;.l' „ Iii/^'ferring to the closing chapter of the Fourth tie. and Gospel, Bartlot,' observes: "This would point to a Qowi. time somewhere about 90, when John would be hardly less than eighty years of age. Putting the Gospel, then, about 85-90 A. D., one would put the Epistles a little earlier." "It is not quite certain which of the two books was written earlier; probably they were written about the flame time, so that an approximate date, A. D. 90-100, if accepted for the Gospel, will also hold good for the Epis- tle."» These statements give the general idea of many scholars as to about the date of these writings. So fully does the First Epistle of John belong to the General Epistles that it has no salutation nor any per- sonal allusion. The name of John is not mentioned, and there is no indication of those ftr whom the letter was intended. Yet it is easy to perceive in the Epistle the writer of the Gospel. It not only has the same type of words ana phrases, but similar deep and spiritual thoughts. "It is really a manual of Christian ethics, the answer of Christianity to th;- question which has been asked by the wisest heathens, ' What is the true end and object of man, and how can it be obtained ? ' St. John answers, ' It is to be found in the Word of Life, in the only begotten Son, who bus brought union with the Eternal within our reach.'"* New forms of heresy have sprung up, under the lead of Cerinthus and others, who eitlicr taught that all matter is evil, and therefore the body of Christ was a mere seeming, not a reality, or else taught that the Divine nature could not enter into his suflEerings in the atone- ment, and that Christ was separated from the man Jesus beforehc was crucified." John powerfully confutes these •Hast. Rib. Diet., II, 882. •Professor W. H. Bunnett, N. C. B., 78. *Canon Benhaiu, Templo Bible, xvU, xvUl. »3artlft, 436-488. 'Bartlet, 42^-138, 486. 1 i*a«iiij*. Aifcmvi::-*^' ir\^m Instructed by John. 223 triors, as he was best fitted to do of all meu then living, because of his personal knowledge of Christ. John's Second and Tliird Epistles are classed ir date Second and and general circumstances with the First, but arc very '"'•''■"' •'"'•n. briei. The Third letter, at ver. 9, has a reference to an- other writing, whicli is thought to be the Second Epistle.' I?oth shed much light upon the way in wliich life and be- lief were developing, for the Second letter is probably to a Church under the title of "the elect lu^y." Diotrephes, the chief pastor or "bishop" of this Churcii, appears to sympathize with the doctrines which John opposes, so that the situation resembles that of Paul and the Corinthian Church when Second Corinthians was written.' Probably with the writing of John's Gospel the canon- Writing cf leal books of the New Testament were completed, and the ♦'"|'"'» Oo«» crowning element of Apostolic Church life was 8Uj)plied. It declares its purpose more fully than do the synoptic writers, and reveals in its whole structure that it was pre- pared, as John says, "that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing yo may have life in his name.'" And this may well be tlie aim of every writing relating to God and his Holy Word. It will help us to understand the Epistles of John, if we remember that they were addressed to an age that had begun to refine away the simple historical facts of Christ's life, and to substitute a pretentious philosophical profundity for the elementary Chris- tian virtues. STTDY XXXV.— Second Day. Memory Verse, 1 John ii, 1 Read 1 John i, ii. On the difficult verse, i, 10, Bart- let has this statement: "If we go still further and say, > Bartlet. 420; N. O. B., 327. « Bartlet, 418-423. i; God is Love, ii, 29— v, 12; Conclusion, v. 13-21. 2 John : Salutation, 1-3 ; Occasion of the Epistle, 4 ; Ex- hortation to love and obedience, 5, 6; Warning against false teachers, 7-11 ; Conclusion, 12, 13. 3 John: Salutation to and commendation of Gaius, 1-4; In praise of hospitality, 5-8; Denunciation of Diotrephes, 9, 10; Basis of judgment, 11; Commendation of Demetrius, 12; Con- clusion, 13, 14. STUDY XXXV.— Fourth Day. Memory Verses, 1 John iv, 18, 19. Read 1 John iv. As chapter i, 5 states the great truth which gives direction to the first part of the Epistle, "God is light," so this chapter, ver. 8, 16, declares the crowning truth of all revelation, "God is love," which controls the latter part of the Epistle. • Bartlet, 420,427. Instructed by John. 225 Oeneral References. Purves, SfCK. 310-817 ; Hartlct, 418-441,493-496 ; McClymont, 33-40; 144-160; Stevens, 167-176, 664-69l»; Farrar (E. D.), 461- 464, 666-^77; Hast. Bib. Dirt., II, 8S1-742. STUDY XXXV.— Fifth Day. Memory Verse, 1 John v, 1-'. Read 1 John v. Xote thiit fiiith in Christ is the con- ditioi of sj) ritiiiil life by which the world is overcome, ver. 4, .". In vcr, 18-'-.'0, h given a concluding summary. Topics for Personal Investigratio.'' and for Assignment in Olass-work. 1. Belief, obedience, and love t.'ie enduring motive forces of the Church. Acts v, 14, 32; x. 43; Jumes i, 6-K, 22, 26; ii, 8, 15, 16; ITheM. i, 3; Gal. v, 6; 1 Cor. .>iii, 13; Horn. i,5; xiii.S; Eph. iii, 17-19; 1 Tim. i, 5; 1 Peter i, 21, 22; Jude 20,21; Heb. xi, 6; 1 John v, 1, 2. 2. Last years of St. John. Cam. Bib., 9-27; Furrar (E. D.), 445-4&4. 3. John's definitions of God. Stevens, 177-179, 0(30-576, 592. 4. The Logos, as a term for Christ, Stevens, 577-5H5 ; Cam. Bib., 73; Hast. Bib. Diet. 5. "I write unto you, young men." 1 John ii, 13, 11. Farrar (E. D.), 620, 621 ; N. C. B., 297. 6. Sonship ajid Christlikeness, 1 John iii, 1-3. Stevens, 590-592; Cam. Bib., 120-122. 7. Perfect love casting out fear, 1 John iv, 18. Cam. Bib., 152. 8. Sin unto death, 1 John v, 16, 17. Farrar (E. D.), 651-657; N. C. B., 318; Hast. Bib. Diet., IV, 535. 9. Eternal life, 1 Johi. v, 20. Stevens, 224-233; Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 732. STUDY XXXV.-Sixth Day. Memory Verse, 2 John, 5. Read 2 John. The best view is that the " elect lady," ver. 1, means the Church to which John v,'rito8, and " thine elect sister," ver. 13, is the Ephesian Church, or some other one, from which John writes." 1 Bartlet, 418; Cam. Bib., 175, 185. 2 26 Studies in the Apostolic Church. Questions for Written Answers. 1. What terms may bo u»ed to describe John's c.oiiinir years? * 2. (Jive about the date of the writing of John's Epistlps and GoMpel. 8. What two expressions or truths may be said to aive direction to the thouRht of the First Episle of John? 4. Is the Second Epistle of John written to an individual or to a Church? 8. What is the purpose for which the Gospel of John was written? STUDY XXXV.-Seventh Day. Memory Verse, 8 John, U. Read 3 John. " The great interest of this Epistle lies in the insight which it gives into the ordinary life of the Christian communities of those early times and this wide Asiatic territory. It places us at the point of transition from the apostolic age t- the post-apostolic.'" At this poiii: therefore, the study of the Apostolic Church ap- piop:-; i.ely closes. Carefully review Part VIII, and, very rapidly, the entire course. Personal Thonarht. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John iv, 11. It is well that the last great word of God's long course of disclosure of hn feeling and thought toward man, a' given in the Bible, should be that of John's Epistle and Gospel, «'God so loved." What should be our first and last thought and feeling toward God and toward one another ? Read 1 John iv, 19. ' 8. D. F. Salmond, Hast. Bib. Diet., II, 712. L...^^^ I k> Ik I 18 PS re IS ; P-5T