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diff --git a/41602-0.txt b/41602-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95f8de2 --- /dev/null +++ b/41602-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4683 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41602 *** + +Transcriber's Note: Bold text is surrounded by =equal signs= while +italic text is surrounded by _underscores_. + + + +OUTLINE STUDIES + +IN + +THE NEW TESTAMENT + +FOR + +BIBLE TEACHERS + +By + +JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT, D.D. + +[Illustration] + + + NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS + CINCINNATI: JENNINGS & GRAHAM + + + + + Copyright, 1906, by + EATON & MAINS. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + PAGE + PREFATORY 5 + HINTS TO STUDENTS 7 + HINTS TO TEACHERS 9 + THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS 11 + I. THE LAND OF PALESTINE 13 + II. THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE 19 + III. THE LIFE OF CHRIST 25 + IV. THE THIRTY YEARS OF PREPARATION 30 + V. THE YEAR OF OBSCURITY 35 + VI. THE YEAR OF POPULARITY 40 + VII. THE YEAR OF OPPOSITION 48 + VIII. THE WEEK OF THE PASSION 54 + IX. THE DAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION 58 + X. THE FORTY DAYS OF RESURRECTION 64 + XI. THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD 68 + XII. THE SYNAGOGUE 73 + XIII. THE CHURCH IN JUDEA 76 + XIV. THE CHURCH IN TRANSITION 83 + XV. THE CHURCH TWENTY YEARS AFTER THE ASCENSION 89 + XVI. THE PREPARATION OF PAUL FOR HIS WORK 93 + XVII. THE CHURCH AMONG THE GENTILES 99 + XVIII. THE END OF THE AGE 106 + + + + +PREFATORY + + +There is no book in the world which repays earnest study so abundantly +as the Holy Bible. Even the cursory reader who possesses a candid mind +can gather many precious thoughts from its pages; and he who turns to it +for guidance in life, however ignorant he may be, will never be led +astray. But as the precious metal lies hidden in the mountains, and must +be sought out by the miners, so the treasures in the Word of Life are +found only by those who search diligently for them. He who not only +reads but _studies_ the Scriptures finds an abundant reward. There is +need in our age of searchers in the Bible, who shall bring out of its +treasure-house things new and old. + +In the old Bible the most important themes are those which gather around +the God-man, Jesus Christ. His coming to earth was the culmination of +all prophecy, the focus of all history, and the center of all doctrine; +and the church which he founded has been for nineteen centuries the +inspiration of the world's progress. There are two subjects in the New +Testament with which every follower of Christ should be thoroughly +acquainted, and they are its two most prominent themes: the life of +Christ on earth, and the growth of the early church. In the life of +Christ he should know the order of the leading events; he should grasp +its principles, and should enter into its spirit. Only as we apprehend +Christ can we comprehend the truths taught and inspired by Christ. + +But our work as New Testament students must not end with the story of +Christ's ascension from earth. Jesus left behind him a little church, of +only one hundred and twenty members, which in seventy years overswept +all the lands of the greatest empire then on the earth, and which now +covers nearly all the world. Of that church we are members, inheritors +of its traditions, its doctrines, and--best of all--its spirit. It +should be our delight to trace the steps of its early progress, to see +how its plans grew with the advancing years, and how an obscure company +of Jewish disciples became a church of world-wide reach. + +To enable a student to obtain this knowledge this book has been +prepared. The earlier studies on the life of Christ have been published +as Studies in the Four Gospels, but have been carefully revised and, in +the author's judgment, improved. The studies on the early church are the +outgrowth of work begun many years ago, frequently revised, taught to +classes many times, and carefully restudied in the light of the most +recent researches in the domain of early church history. + +These chapters are, as their titles indicate, _studies_; designed, not +for reading, but for study. This book does not undertake to be a life of +Christ, and a history of the early church, to be read. It simply extends +a helping hand, and holds out to the student a clue by means of which he +can form his own life of Christ and prepare for himself a history of the +early church. Wherever a fact can be learned by searching out a +Scripture reference the fact is not stated, but the reference is given. +Every text referred to should be searched out, as these texts contain +the essential facts of this book. Whoever would use these studies +rightly must pursue them with the Bible close at hand, and must consult +his Bible more frequently than this text-book. + +There are a million and a half Sunday school teachers who should be +acquainted with the story of Christ and his church: and there are +several millions of young people in our Sunday schools who may be +teachers before many years and need the same knowledge. This book has +been prepared in the hope that these teachers and young people may find +it a help to know Him who is the head of the church; and to understand +the church, which is the pillar and ground of truth. + + JESSE L. HURLBUT. + +January 3, 1906. + + + + +HINTS TO STUDENTS + + +Those who desire merely to _read_ this book, or to look it over, will +not find it interesting. Those who already know how to study will not +need these hints, and can use the book in their own way. But there are +many who desire to study these subjects carefully and yet do not know +precisely how to do the work. For these students, earnest but untrained, +these hints are given. + +1. These studies should be pursued with the Bible close at hand, so that +every Scripture reference may be at once searched out and read. + +2. Begin each lesson by a general view; reading it through carefully, +and memorizing the leading divisions of the outline, which are indicated +by the Roman numerals I, II, III, etc. This will give the general plan +of the lesson. + +3. Now take up Part I of the lesson in detail; notice and memorize its +subdivisions, indicated by 1, 2, 3, etc., and search out all the +Scripture references cited in it. If practicable, write out on a sheet +of paper the reference (not the language of the text in full), and what +each reference shows. Thus with references in the Second Study, page 19, +Section I, =Origin=, 1. =Semitic.= (Gen. 12. 1-3) God's call and promise +to Abram. (Gen. 17. 1-8) The call repeated; name changed to Abraham. +(James 2. 23) The Friend of God. (Gen. 18. 19: "He will command his +children," etc.) + +In this manner write out all the facts ascertained from all the +references in the section. + +4. It would be a good plan to write out in full, as a connected +statement, all the facts in the section. + +5. In like manner study out and write out all the facts obtained by a +study of the lesson and the text cited in it. This will greatly aid the +memory in holding fast to the information gained. + +6. Having done this, look at the blackboard outline at the end of the +study and see if you can read the outline of the lesson by the aid of +the catch-words and indications which it affords. Study the lesson until +you can read it with the blackboard outline, and then recall it without +the outline. + +7. Now take up the questions for review. Read them over, one by one, and +see if you can answer them. To many of them the answer is not given in +the text-book, but it will be found in the Scripture references when +searched out. Do not cease your study until every question can be +answered from memory. + +8. Frequently review the lessons already learned. Before beginning the +third study review the first and second; before the fourth, review the +first, second and third; and at the completion of the course review them +all. The knowledge gained by this thorough study will more than +compensate for the time and trouble which it requires. + + + + +HINTS TO TEACHERS + + +Classes may be organized on various plans and out of varied materials +for the study of these lessons. + +1. A teachers' class, composed of teachers and also of senior scholars +in the Sunday school, may be formed to study the life of Christ, which +is one of the most important subjects in the Bible. This may meet on an +evening, or an afternoon, and devote all the session to the study of the +lesson and to discussions upon it. + +2. In many places a teachers' meeting is held for the study of the +International Lesson as a preparation for the Sunday school class. A +part of the time might be taken at this meeting for the study of these +subjects. In that case it would be well to follow the division into +lessons, as given on pages 11, 12. + +3. A normal class may be organized among the brightest scholars in the +Sunday school, who should be trained to become teachers. This normal +class may meet on an afternoon, or an evening, or may take the lesson +period in the Sunday school session. + +4. These studies may be pursued by the young people's society of the +church, or by a class formed under its auspices, meeting at such time +and place as shall be found most convenient. + +There are two methods in which these lessons may be taught: One is the +_lecture method_, by which the instructor gives the lesson to the class +in the form of a lecture, placing the outline upon the blackboard as he +proceeds, calling upon the students to read the texts cited, and +frequently reviewing the outline in a concert drill. By this method the +students may or may not have the books, as they and the instructor +prefer. While it is not necessary to supply the class with the +text-book, it will be a good plan to do so. Some lecturers prefer to +have the books closed while the lecture is being given; but others +desire to have the students use the outline in the book as a syllabus, +enabling them to follow the subject more closely. + +The other method, simpler and easier, is to let the student have a copy +of the book, to expect the lesson to be prepared by the class, and to +have it recited, either individually or in concert. Let each student +gain all the information that he can upon the subjects of the lesson; +let each bring his knowledge to the possession of all; let all talk +freely, and all will be the gainers. + +It would be a good plan to have papers read from time to time upon the +subjects suggested by the course and parallel with it. + +Some teachers and classes may regard the contents of this book as too +extensive and may prefer a shorter course. The aim of the author has +been to include in the course only those subjects that are essential to +an understanding of the New Testament, and the entire series of lessons +is recommended; but if a shorter course be deemed absolutely necessary, +two plans are suggested: + +1. There are three subjects which under necessity might be omitted: +Second Study, The People of Palestine; Third Study, General View of the +Life of Christ; Twelfth Study, The Synagogue. This will leave fifteen +studies, or twenty-two lessons. + +2. Another plan might be undertaken: to take up as a course the studies +on the life of Christ, or even omitting, as above, the second and third +studies, making eight; and to leave the eight studies in the early +church--a most interesting and valuable subject--to a later period. + + + + +THE COURSE DIVIDED INTO LESSONS + + +For the convenience of teachers and classes, the eighteen studies of +this course are divided into twenty-five lessons, as follows: + + Lesson 1. The Land of Palestine. First Study. + " 2. The People of Palestine. Second Study. + " 3. The Life of Christ--General View. Third Study. + " 4. The Thirty Years of Preparation. Fourth Study. + " 5. The Year of Obscurity. Fifth Study. + " 6. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part One. + " 7. The Year of Popularity. Sixth Study. Part Two. + " 8. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part One. + " 9. The Year of Opposition. Seventh Study. Part Two. + " 10. The Week of the Passion. Eighth Study. + " 11. The Day of the Crucifixion. Ninth Study. + " 12. The Forty Days of Resurrection. Tenth Study. + " 13. The New Testament World. Eleventh Study. + " 14. The Synagogue. Twelfth Study. + " 15. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part One. + " 16. The Church in Judea. Thirteenth Study. Part Two. + " 17. The Church in Transition. Fourteenth Study. + " 18. The Church Twenty Years after the Ascension. Fifteenth + Study. + " 19. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. + Part One. + " 20. The Preparation of Paul for his Work. Sixteenth Study. + Part Two. + " 21. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part + One. + " 22. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part + Two. + " 23. The Church among the Gentiles. Seventeenth Study. Part + Three. + " 24. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part One. + " 25. The End of the Age. Eighteenth Study. Part Two. + + + + +FIRST STUDY + +The Land of Palestine + + +In the historical study of the New Testament the two principal subjects +are, the life of Jesus Christ on earth and, after the Ascension, the +growth of the Christian church. + +The life of Christ was passed entirely in Palestine; and we therefore +begin our studies with a view of that land as it was in our Saviour's +day. + +I. =It was an oriental land.= In all ages the boundaries of Palestine +have been about the same, though the dominion of its rulers has varied +according to their power. Palestine Proper, originally the land of +Canaan, and later the land of Israel, or the Twelve Tribes, is located +near the south-eastern corner of the Mediterranean Sea; having Syria and +Phoenicia on the north, the great Syrian Desert on the east, the +Sinaitic wilderness on the south, and the Mediterranean on the west. +Located just outside the tropics, near the point of contact between Asia +and Africa, it belongs to the Oriental or Eastern world. + +II. =It was a small land.= The greatest lands have not always been the +largest. Greece, no larger than half a dozen counties in America, is +greater in history than vast China; and the single city of Rome won and +held the empire of the Mediterranean lands. Territorially the whole +extent of Palestine was about that of Massachusetts and Connecticut +united, or that of Switzerland, in Europe--about 12,500 square miles. +Its sea-coast, from Tyre to Gaza, is 140 miles long; its Jordan line, +from Mount Hermon to the foot of the Dead Sea, is 156 miles. + +III. =It was a land of varied natural features.= There is a regularity +in the natural conformation of Palestine which every traveler notices. +The country lies in five parallel sections. + +1. Approaching from the Mediterranean one meets first a =sea-coast +plain= two or three miles wide at the north, but widening, as it goes +southward, to nearly twenty miles at Gaza. + +2. Crossing this we approach the =Shephelah=, _or foot-hills_; a terrace +of low hills, from 300 to 500 feet high. + +3. Ascending these we reach =the mountain region=, a range of mountains +broken by ravines in all directions, and varying from 2,500 to 3,000 +feet high. This region was the home of the Israelites in all their +history. They were always a mountain people and never occupied the lower +plains in any great degree. In all the Bible times the plains and +valleys were mainly foreign and heathen in their population, while the +mountains were Israelite in the Old Testament and Jewish in the New. + +4. Crossing the mountains we descend to the =Jordan valley=, lower than +the sea level and from five to twenty miles wide. Through this runs the +river Jordan, passing through two lakes--Lake Merom and the Sea of +Galilee--and emptying into the Dead Sea. + +5. Beyond the valley rises the =eastern table-land=, with higher +mountains, but more level summits, and broken by fewer valleys. The +mountains gradually decline to the great Syrian Desert on the east. + +IV. =It was a Land of Five Provinces.= In the time of Christ there were +five political divisions in Palestine; three on the west side of Jordan +and two on the east. + +[Illustration: PALESTINE In the time of CHRIST] + +1. On the north, west of the Jordan, was the province of =Galilee=, +situated between the river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, the land of +Phoenicia and Mount Carmel. It was inhabited by a brave, simple-hearted +people, mainly Jews, but with many Gentiles among them. Hence its name +(Isa. 9. 1, 2; Matt. 4. 15, 16); and the contempt in which it was held +at Jerusalem. (John 7. 41, 52.) It was the home of Jesus during most of +his life and ministry. + +2. The central region was =Samaria=. See its location. (John 4. 3, 4.) +It was, strictly speaking, not a province but a district around the +cities of Shechem and Samaria, not extending either to the sea or river, +and of uncertain limits, inhabited by a composite people, partly +Israelite, partly heathen, in their origin. Note the claim of its people +(John 4. 12) and their expectation. (John 4. 25.) Observe how they were +regarded by the Jews. (John 4. 9; 8. 48.) Notice that Christ paid no +regard to this caste prejudice. (John 4. 10.) + +3. The southernmost province of Palestine was =Judea=. As the largest, +and the special home of the Jewish people, it often gave its name to the +whole land, as in Mark 1. 5; Luke 7. 17; Acts 10. 37. Generally, +however, it is distinguished as the name of the province, as in Luke 2. +4; Matt. 2. 22; John 4. 3. Jesus made several visits to this district, +especially to its city, but only for limited periods, as its people were +more bigoted than the Galileans and bitterly opposed to him. + +4. On the east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea was the province of +=Peræa=, a word meaning "beyond." It is not mentioned by that name in +the New Testament. Notice what it is called in Matt. 19. 1; Mark 10. 1. +We read of a visit paid by Jesus to this region near the close of his +ministry. + +5. North of the river Hieromax, and east of the Sea of Galilee, was a +fifth province, the ancient land of =Bashan=, "woodland," but known in +the gospels as "Philip's tetrarchy." Notice how it is specified in Luke +3. 1. Another name for a part of this territory is given in Matt. 4. 25; +Mark 5. 20; 7. 31. Its inhabitants were mostly Gentiles or heathen. +Twice this country enjoyed brief visits from Jesus, each marked by a +miracle (Mark 5. 1-20; 7. 31-37). + +V. =It was a Populous Land.= We can only note the places referred to in +the gospel history, and we arrange them according to the provinces. + +1. In Galilee we note: 1.) =Nazareth=, due west of the southern end of +the Sea of Galilee, the early home of Jesus (Matt. 2. 23; Luke 2. 51). +2.) =Nain=, south of Nazareth, where he wrought a miracle (Luke 7. 11). +3.) =Cana=, north of Nazareth, where the first miracle was wrought (John +2. 1). 4.) =Capernaum=, on the Sea of Galilee, the home of Jesus during +most of his ministry, and the scene of many miracles (Luke 4. 31; Mark +2. 1). + +2. In Samaria we note two places: 1.) =Shechem=, which may be the place +referred to in John 4. 5, though late authorities regard it as the name +of a hamlet, now called Iskar, near by. 2.) =Samaria=, a few miles +north-west of Shechem, the early capital of the province, and the first +place where the Gospel was preached to other than the Jews (Acts 8. 5). + +3. In the province of Judea we notice: 1.) =Jerusalem=, "the holy city" +(Matt. 4. 5), and the place where Jesus was crucified (Matt. 16. 21). +2.) =Bethany=, two miles east of Jerusalem (John 11. 18), where Jesus +was entertained by Mary and Martha (John 11. 1). Note two great events +near this place (John 11. 43; Luke 24. 50, 51). 3.) =Bethlehem=, six +miles south of Jerusalem. The great event in its history (Matt. 2. 1.) +Its ancient honor (Luke 2. 4.) 4.) =Hebron=, the ancient capital of +Judah, a priestly city, and the probable birthplace of John the Baptist +(Luke 1. 39, 40.) 5.) =Jericho=, eighteen miles from Jerusalem, in the +Jordan valley, visited by Jesus near the end of his ministry (Luke 19. +1). 6.) =Ephraim=, a village fourteen miles north of Jerusalem, the +hiding place of Jesus for a brief period (John 11. 54). + +4. In the province of Peræa but one place is identified as connected +with the life of Christ: =Bethabara= (Revised version, "Bethany beyond +the Jordan") the place of the baptism and of the first disciples; +thirteen miles south of the Sea of Galilee. + +5. In Philip's tetrarchy, east of the Sea of Galilee, we note three +places: 1.) =Cæsarea Philippi=, at the foot of the Mount Hermon (Mark 8. +27; 9. 2). 2.) =Bethsaida=, at the head of the Sea of Galilee, east of +the Jordan (Luke 9. 10-13). 3.) =Gergesa= or =Gerasa=, a little place on +the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 8. 28). + +VI. =It was a Subject Land.= Half a century before the birth of Christ +the Jews became subject to Rome, and thenceforward various changes took +place in the form of government: + +1. The whole land, with some surrounding provinces, was a =kingdom= +under Herod the Great (Matt. 2. 1), but tributary to the emperor at Rome +from 37 B. C. to 4 B. C., the year of Christ's birth. + +2. On Herod's death it was divided into three =tetrarchies=, +"fourth-part rules." Archelaus became tetrarch of Judea and Samaria +(Matt. 2. 22); Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Peræa (Matt. 14. +1; Luke 23. 6, 7); Herod Philip, tetrarch of the Bashan district (Luke +3. 1). A fourth tetrarchy, outside of Palestine, on the north, was held +by Lysanias (Luke 3. 1). + +3. About the year 7 A. D., when Jesus was eleven years old, Archelaus +was deposed by the Roman emperor and his dominion made a province under +a Roman procurator, the other two tetrarchies remaining undisturbed. +This was the form of government during the ministry of Jesus. Judea and +Samaria constituting one Roman province under Pontius Pilate; Galilee +and Peræa, Herod's tetrarchy, and Bashan, Philip's tetrarchy. + +[Illustration: NEW TESTAMENT PALESTINE] + +4. In the year 37 the Roman emperor made Herod Agrippa I. king first +over Judea, and then, in 41, over all the dominions of his grandfather, +so that Palestine became a kingdom again. He is mentioned in Acts 12. 1. + +5. On Agrippa's death, in A. D. 44, a new division took place. Agrippa +II., son of Agrippa I., became ruler of Chalcis and Bashan. He is +called, but by courtesy only, "King Agrippa," in Acts 25. 13; 26. 1, 2. +The rest of Palestine, consisting of Judea, Samaria, and Peræa, became +again a procuratorship under direct Roman rule. See Acts 23. 24; 24. 27. + +6. On the rebellion of the Jews, A. D. 66, the government was again +changed. Palestine became a part of Syria, under Vespasian, the legate. +This was the end of Jewish history as a separate nationality. + + +Suggestions for Study and Teaching + + 1. Study carefully a good map of Palestine and learn + from it the boundaries and location of the land. + Memorize the dimensions and distances given in the + outline. + + 2. Draw a map showing the five natural divisions in + Par. III., and learn their names. + + 3. Indicate on your own map the five provinces, + comparing the best maps at hand to find their boundary + lines. + + 4. Locate on your own map all the places named in Par. + V., and be able to name an event connected with each, + studying the references for this purpose. + + 5. Be sure to examine all the references, and state + what fact each reference shows concerning a locality. + + 6. Draw in succession five sketch maps, each to + represent the political government of a period. Write + across each province the name of a ruler. Map No. 1 + will represent it at the birth of Christ. No. 2, + during the childhood of Christ. Map No. 3, during his + ministry. No. 4, about A. D. 41. No. 5, from 42 to 66 + A. D. Look out all the references given in Par. VI. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Orien. L. Bound.= N. S. P. E. S. D. S. S. W. W. M. S. + + II. =Sm. L.= S. M. 12,500. S. C. 140. J. L. 156. + + III. =Var. Nat. Fea.= S. C. P. Sh. M. R. J. V. E. T. L. + + IV. =Fiv. Prov.= Gal. Sam. Jud. Per. Bash. + + V. =Pop. L.= Gal. N. N. C. C. Sam. Sh. Sa. Jud. J. B. B. H. + J. E. Per. B. Ph. Tet. C. P. B. G. + + VI. =Sub. L.= 1. Km. 2. Tetr. 3. Prov. 4. Kgm. 5. "Kg. Ag." + Rom. Proc. 6. Part of Syr. + + +Questions for Review + + Why do we need to study the land of Palestine? What + were the boundaries of Palestine? Where is it located? + Name some small countries which have been prominent in + history. What is the size of Palestine? How long is + the coast-line? The Jordan line? What are the five + natural divisions of the land? Name and bound each of + the political divisions. In which of these provinces + was Jesus born? In which did he pass most of his life? + In which was he crucified? Name four places in + Galilee, and an event connected with each? Two places + in Samaria, and their events. Six places in Judea and + their events. One place in Peræa and three in Philip's + tetrarchy, with their events. State the six successive + forms of government and their rulers in Palestine + during the New Testament period. + + + + +SECOND STUDY + +The People of Palestine + + +In all the ancient world there was but one people among whom Christ +could have come with his revelation, and through whom his message could +have been given to mankind. That people was =the Jews=, in certain +respects the most remarkable of all the races. + +I. We notice their =origin=, which shows a series of selections +extending through many centuries and a training for their peculiar +mission. + +1. Of the three great families of earth, they sprang from the =Semitic=, +which has been the mother of all the great religions of the world; a +thoughtful, meditative race, rather than active and aggressive. + +2. From this race =Abraham= was called, more than twenty centuries +before Christ, to be the father of a great nation (Gen. 12. 1-3; 17. +1-8). He was distinguished for his worship of the one God, for his +faith, and for his nobility of character. Notice his title in Jas. 2. +23; a name by which he is still known in the East, _el Khalil_, "the +Friend." His influence upon his family (Gen. 18. 19). + +3. Of the families descended from Abraham that of =Isaac= was chosen +(Gen. 21. 12; Rom. 9. 7). All the other races of Abrahamic origin +yielded to the idolatrous influences around them and lost the knowledge +of God. + +4. Of the two sons of Isaac one married among the Canaanites, and, as a +result, his descendants became idolaters (Gen. 26. 34, 35; 36. 2). The +other chose the inheritance of the covenant (Gen. 28. 20-22). His name +was changed (Gen. 32. 28; 35. 10). His descendants, the =Israelites=, +trained up in the true faith, became the people of God. Each of his +twelve sons was the ancestor of a tribe (Exod. 1. 1-7). They continued +one people for a thousand years, though part of the time divided into +two kingdoms. + +5. In the year 721 B. C. ten of the twelve tribes were carried into +Assyrian captivity (2 Kings 17. 18-20). Having lost their religion, the +only bond of unity, they mingled with the idolatrous world and ceased to +be a separate people. The =tribe of Judah= was left, Benjamin being +incorporated with it. Henceforth they were called "the Jews," a name +found first in 2 Kings 18. 26. + +6. But through all the history of Judah, as well as of Israel, there had +been two distinct elements in the people: the worshipers of God and of +idols; the religious and the worldly. In order to separate these +elements, to cut off the evil and to discipline the good, came the +Babylonian captivity, B. C. 587. Through this the idolatrous element was +either destroyed or assimilated with the heathen world. At the release +from captivity, B. C. 536, all the Jews were of God-fearing, +Scripture-loving element. This was =the Remnant=, the "holy seed," the +true Israel (Isa. 6. 8-13). + +Thus, out of all the world, was gradually chosen and prepared a people +among whom the Lord should come. + +II. Notice =their traits= as a race, for which they were chosen, and +which were intensified by their training: + +1. They were a =religious= people; monotheistic; worshiping the one +invisible God, hating idolatry. See the command (Exod. 20. 3-6). The +exhortation of Joshua (Josh. 24. 14). This is the great glory of Israel +alone among the ancient nations. + +2. They were an =exclusive= people; strongly attached to each other, and +seeking no affiliation with other races. Note this trait in Abraham +(Gen. 24. 2-4). Also in Isaac (Gen. 28. 1, 2). See Balaam's prophecy +(Num. 23. 9). To this day the Jews dwell apart; in most European cities +there is a "Jewish quarter." + +3. They were a =conservative= people; attached to their own customs, +opposed to all changes, clinging to their worship despite persecution. + +4. They were an =aspiring= people. From their earliest history the Jews +cherished the expectation of being a great and conquering nation. From +their own prophecies they obtained the hope and belief that a great king +should arise among them to rule the world. See the promises in Gen. 49. +10. The prophecy in Isa. 32. 1, 2. His title in Dan. 9. 25. The word +"Messiah" in Hebrew is "Christos" in Greek, and "Anointed" in English. +This messianic hope was the central thought of all Judaism. + +5. They were a =moral= people. Their Scripture set up a standard of +character immeasurably superior to that in other ancient lands. Among +the Jews womanhood was honored, drunkenness was rare, honesty was the +rule, and crime was far less frequent than elsewhere. + +These were the traits that made the Jews the people of God and fitted +them to accomplish the divine purpose. + +III. What was that purpose? Every race has its mission in the world. The +Greeks were set to exalt the intellect; the Romans, to establish the +reign of law. We notice the =mission of the Jewish people=: + +1. =To perpetuate the knowledge of God.= In the general wickedness of +the world and the spread of idolatry there was danger lest the true +religion be utterly lost. Therefore God chose out one nation--the one +having the traits best fitting it for his purpose--and set it apart to +guard the holy fire of divine truth until the rest of the world should +be ready to receive it. + +2. =To receive training for higher revelation.= The higher revelations +of God can come only to a people whose religious faculties have been +trained to receive them. Judaism was God's school where a chosen race +was educated. They received the Scriptures, the prophets, the ritual of +worship, and, above all, the discipline of trial, fitting them to become +"a nation of priests." See Paul's enumeration of their privileges in +Rom. 9. 4, 5. + +3. =To proclaim the Gospel to the world.= When, in the fullness of time, +Israel was trained up to knowledge and the outer world prepared to +receive the truth, Christ came as the consummation of Judaism. Then a +new mission opened before the Jews--that of proclaiming Christ to the +world. The little company of disciples were the seed that should +replenish the whole earth. See the command. (Matt. 28. 19, 20.) + +IV. We notice now the =Jews in the time of Christ=. + +1. They were divided into two great =branches=: the =Jews of Palestine= +and the =Jews of the Dispersion=. The former were descendants of those +who had settled in Palestine after the decree of Cyrus, B. C. 536 (Ezra +1. 1-3); the latter those who remained in the lands of their adoption, +were found all over the ancient world, and were far more numerous. See +references to them in John 7. 35; James 1. 1; 1 Pet. 1. 1. We note that +these "Jews of the Dispersion" were not descendants of the Ten Tribes, +except in a few instances, but were _Jews_--that is, descendants of +Judah. + +2. Noticing now the Palestinian Jews, for with these the life of Christ +was mainly connected, we find them divided into two =sects=, or schools +of thought: the =Pharisees= and the =Sadducees=. These two parties arose +about 168 B. C., in the time of the Maccabæan uprising. Let us look at +them in contrast. + + 1.) Their _names_ express their traits. _Pharisee_ + means "separatist," "one who is apart." _Sadducee_ + means "just," or "righteous," but rather with our idea + of the world "moralist." + + 2.) Their _aims_. The Pharisee aimed to keep the + Mosaic law absolutely, particularly with regard to + ceremonial requirements; to do more than obey it, by + setting around it a hedge of traditional + interpretations going beyond its letter in strictness. + The Sadducee professed to keep the law, ignoring + tradition, but gave it a lax and easy interpretation + which often ignored its requirements. + + 3.) Their _spirit_. The Pharisee was the radical and + zealot, showing an intense, intolerant Judaism. The + Sadducee was the liberal easy-going man of the world, + taking the world as he found it. + + 4.) Their _beliefs_. The Pharisee believed in a + spiritual world, heaven, hell, angels, the hereafter, + the judgment. The Sadducee could not find clear + statements of these doctrines in the Old Testament, + and denied them. See Matt. 22. 23; Acts 23. 8. + + 5.) Their _influence_. The Pharisees were strong in + the synagogues, where the scribes gave their + interpretations, and hence were powerful among the + people as leaders in religion. The Sadducees were the + smaller body, but influential from their wealth and + their social position, for the high priests and all + the priestly order belonged to them, and they were the + office-holding class, the court party. (Acts 4. 1, 2; + 5. 17.) + + 6.) Their _evils_. The evil of the Pharisees was their + tendency to make religion mere hypocritical formality, + so often rebuked by Christ. See Matt. 23. 2-7. The + evil of the Sadducees was their utter lack of moral + conviction, from worldliness and self-interest. See + their motive for putting Christ to death (John 11. + 47-50). + +3. Thus far we have noticed only Jews, but there were also in Palestine +many =Gentiles=, which was the name the Jews gave to all foreigners or +people of race other than themselves. These were of three classes, +called respectively: 1.) =Sinners=--That is, those who made no attempt +to observe Jewish usages. See Gal. 2. 15. The same name was given to the +Jews who did not undertake to keep the ceremonial law, without reference +to their moral character (Matt. 9. 10, 11). 2.) =The Devout.= Those who +believed in the Scriptures and worshiped God, but who had not been +received into the Jewish Church by circumcision. Such was Cornelius +(Acts 10. 1, 2). 3.) =Proselytes=--Such as renounced Gentilism, received +circumcision, and obeyed the Jewish law (Acts 6. 5; Matt. 23. 15). + +V. =The Language of Palestine.= + +1. Originally =Hebrew=; still read, in Christ's time, in the synagogue +but not well understood and requiring an interpreter. + +2. Mostly =Aramaic=, or =Syro-Chaldaic=--that is, Chaldaic with Syrian +admixture; the common dialect of the people, and undoubtedly spoken by +Christ. See instances in Mark 7. 34; 15. 34. This is the language +referred to in John 19. 20, 21, and Acts 22. 2, as "Hebrew." + +3. The language of polite literature in all countries was =Greek=; +strongly opposed by the Pharisees, but employed by the Jews of the +Dispersion, and used in the courts of Herod and Pilate (Acts 21. 37). + +4. The official language was =Latin=, that of the Roman Government, but +not used by the Jews, and not generally understood by them. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Origin.=--1. Sem. 2. Abr. 3. Isa. 4. Isr. (12 t.) + 5. Jud (Jews). 6. "Remn." + + II. =Traits.=--1. Rel. 2. Exc. 3. Cons. 4. Asp. "Mess." 5. Mor. + + III. =Mission.=--1. Per. kno. G. 2. Rec. tra. hi. rev. 3. Pro. + Gos. wo. + + IV. =Jews Ti. Chr.=--1. Bran. Pal. Dis. 2. Sec. Phar. Sadd. + 1.) Nam. 2.) Aim. 3.) Spir. 4.) Bel. 5.) Inf. 6.) Evils. + 3. Gen. 1.) Sin. 2.) "Dev." 3.) Pro. + + V. =Lang.=--1. Heb. 2. Ara. (Syr.-Chal.). 3. Gre. 4. Lat. + + +Questions for Review + + To what people did Jesus Christ belong? From what + great family of races did that people spring? What + were the traits of this race? Who was the ancestor of + the Jews, and what were his traits of character? How + were the Jews gradually selected from among the + descendants of Abraham? To which of the twelve tribes + did most of the Jews belong? What was "the remnant" in + Old Testament history? Name five traits of the Jews as + a people. What was the mission of the Jewish people? + What were the two great branches of the Jews in the + time of Christ? What were their two sects? What were + the differences between these sects? Who were the + Gentiles? Into what three classes were they divided? + What four languages were found among the Jews in the + time of Christ? + + + + +THIRD STUDY + +The Life of Christ + + +The central figure in all the Bible is Jesus Christ. Note his importance +in the Old Testament (John 5. 39; Luke 24. 27; Acts 10. 43). Note his +prominence in all true gospel teaching (1 Cor. 2. 2). Note his relation +to every man (John 1. 9.) (Rev. Ver.) We have, then, an interest in +Jesus Christ deeper than in any other man who ever lived. + +I. Let us notice some =General Aspects of his Life=. + +1. It was a =short= life. This man, who has influenced the world more +than any other, lived less than thirty-five years. His age at the +beginning of his ministry we learn from Luke 3. 23; and the duration of +his ministry was not more than three years and a half at the longest. + +2. It was a life =passed wholly in Palestine=. Only once do we read of +his journeying near any other country, and it is not probable that he +went beyond its borders (Mark 7. 24). The only times of direct contact +with Gentiles are mentioned (Mark 7. 25, 26; John 12. 20-22). He never +enjoyed the benefits of foreign travel, of communion with learned men in +the great cities, of studies at the universities of Athens or +Alexandria. All his knowledge came from within. + +3. It was a life =among the common people=. He lived in a despised +province (John 7. 41, 52). He came from a despised town (John 1. 46). He +was a working mechanic (Mark 6. 3). He received only a common education +(John 7. 15). His manner of life during his ministry (Matt. 8. 20). Yet +out of these lowly surroundings grew up the one exalted character, the +one perfect life, in all human history. + +4. It was an =active= life. The first thirty years may have been spent +in quiet preparation, but the three years of his ministry were very +busy. See pictures in Mark 1. 36-38; 2. 1-4; 6. 31-34. Notice the +hyperbole in John 21. 25, which is not to be taken literally. But if +the whole life of Jesus were related with the minuteness of the day +between the sunset of the Last Supper and that of the burial the +narration would require one hundred and eighty-five books as large as +the Bible. + +II. Let us arrange the events of Christ's life in chronological order, +grouping them into =Seven Periods=. + +1. The first period is that of =The Thirty Years of Preparation=, of +which we notice the following facts: + + 1.) It begins with his Birth (Luke 2. 7), and ends + with his Temptation (Matt. 4. 1). + + 2.) It is related mainly by Luke (Luke 1-4) with some + facts in Matthew (Matt. 1. 2; 4. 1-11), and a brief + mention of its closing events in Mark (Mark 1. 9-13). + + 3.) It was passed mainly in Galilee, though with + isolated events in Judea, in Egypt (Matt. 2. 14, 15), + and in Peræa. See John 1. 28. + + 4.) It was the longest of all the periods, embracing + nine-tenths of his life; yet it is the one having the + fewest incidents recorded; and of eighteen years in it + absolutely no events are known. + +2. Next is =The Year of Obscurity=. In this and the two succeeding +periods the year is not a precise epoch, and may have been a little less +or a little more. + + 1.) It begins with the first followers (John 1. + 35-37), and ends with the return to Galilee (John 4. + 43, 44). + + 2.) It is related only by John, who, of all the gospel + writers, records the visit of Jesus to Judea and + Jerusalem. + + 3.) It was passed principally in Judea, though with + visits to Galilee, and on the way a visit to Samaria. + + 4.) It is justly called a "year of obscurity," for we + know but little concerning either its aims, its + events, or its results. It was accompanied with + miracles (John 3. 2; 4. 45). It attracted attention + (John 3. 26; 4. 1). Yet at its close we find that the + followers of Jesus were few, and he went to Galilee to + begin his ministry anew. + +3. =The Year of Popularity=, in marked contrast with the preceding +period. + + 1.) It begins with the Rejection at Nazareth (Luke 4. + 14-30), and ends with the Discourse on the Bread of + Life (John 6. 25-71), a day or two after the miracle + of Feeding the Five Thousand. + + 2.) It is related by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, with + some additional incidents by John. + + 3.) The scene of the Saviour's ministry was in + Galilee, which he traversed extensively during this + year. One visit to Jerusalem is related by John (John + 5. 1, 2). + + 4.) It was a year of great activity, spent in + incessant journeys, preaching, and works of mercy, and + the most popular period of the Saviour's life, when + the crowds were greatest and the people seemed ready + to accept Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. Yet at its + close, as before, he was left alone with his twelve + disciples (John 6. 66-68). + +4. Another period we find in =The Year of Opposition=, again contrasted +with the year before it. + + 1.) It begins with the Retirement to Phoenicia (Mark + 7. 24) and ends with the Anointing by Mary (John 12. + 1-3). + + 2.) It is recorded in all the gospels in almost equal + measure, Luke giving the most complete account of the + ministry in Peræa, and John, as usual, relating the + visit to Judea. + + 3.) This period is peculiar in the fact that in it + Jesus visited all the five provinces of Palestine. We + find him in Decapolis (which was a part of the Bashan + district) (Mark 7. 31); passing through Galilee (Mark + 9. 30); also through Samaria (Luke 9. 51, 52); in + Peræa (Mark 10. 1), and in Judea (John 11. 7). + + 4.) This part of the Saviour's life has been variously + characterized as "a ministry of sorrow and + humiliation," "a year of instruction," and "a period + of retirement." All are correct, for during this, the + last year of his life, Jesus sought to be alone with + his disciples, and in order to escape the crowds + visited places where he was unknown. He aimed to + instruct his disciples in the deeper truths of the + gospel, to prepare their minds for his approaching + death and for their mission as apostles (Matt. 16. + 21). + +5. We now approach the close of Christ's life on earth, and the +narration is more detailed as the cross comes nearer to view. Our next +period is =The Week of the Passion=. + + 1.) Beginning with the Triumphal Entry on the Sunday + before the Passover (John 21. 12, 13), it ends with + the Agony in the Garden about midnight on Thursday + (Matt. 26. 36); thus embracing strictly but five days. + + 2.) It is related in all the gospels, John alone + adding the teaching given at the Last Supper (John + 13-17). + + 3.) All the events of this period took place in or + near Jerusalem. + + 4.) This was the last call of Christ to the Jews of + Jerusalem, and his final rebuke for their rejection of + his ministry. + +6. =The Day of the Crucifixion.= The most important day in all earth's +history was that when Jesus died upon the cross. It is also the day +whose events are narrated more fully than any other in the Bible annals. +Therefore we study it apart from the rest of the week as a separate +period. + + 1.) It begins with the Arrest (Matt. 26. 47), soon + after midnight, Friday A. M., the day of the Passover, + and ends at about sunset of the same day with the + Burial (Matt. 27. 59, 60). + + 2.) Each gospel adds its portion to the account, that + of John, an eye-witness of all the events, being the + most complete. + + 3.) The events took place in Jerusalem; but few, if + any, of the localities are known with certainty. + + 4.) In the scenes of this day we see Jesus as the + suffering Saviour, bearing the sins of the world. + +7. Last of all come =The Forty Days of Resurrection=. + + 1.) From the Resurrection, early on the first Easter + Sunday (Matt. 28. 1-8), to the Ascension, forty days + afterward (Acts 1. 1-3). + + 2.) All the gospels give accounts of the appearances + of the risen Saviour, but Luke alone tells the story + of his Ascension (Luke 24. 50, 51; Acts 1. 9-11). + + 3.) The manifestations of Christ after his + Resurrection took place in and near Jerusalem, near + the village of Emmaus (Luke 24. 13), and in Galilee + (Matt. 28. 16; John 21. 1). + + 4.) During this period the visible revelation of + Christ was not constant, but occasional; to his + disciples only, never to his enemies; and of a + spiritual body, which was freed from the restraints of + the flesh (Mark 16. 12; Luke 24. 31; John 20. 19). + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Gen. Asp.= 1. Sh. 2. In Pal. 3 Am. com. peo. 4. Ac. + + II. =Sev. Per.= + + 1. =Th. Ye. Prep.= 1) Bir-Temp. 2) Lu. Mat. Mar. 3) Gal. + 4) Long. few inc. + + 2. =Ye. Obs.= 1) Fir. Foll.-Re. Gal. 2) Jno. 3) Jud. 4) Obs. + + 3. =Ye. Pop.= 1) Re. Naz-Dis. B. L. 2) M. M. L. 3) Gal. 4) Act. + + 4. =Ye. Opp.= 1) Re. Ph.-An. Ma. 2) All Gos. 3) All Prov. + 4) Instruc. + + 5. =We. Pass.= 1) Tri. En.-Ag. Gar. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. + 4) Las. Ca. + + 6. =Day Cru.= 1) Arr.-Bur. 2) All Gos. 3) Jer. 4) Suff. Sav. + + 7. =For. Da. Res.= 1) Res.-Asc. 2) All Gos. 3) Jud. Gal. + 4) Spir. bod. + + +Questions for Review + + In what respects is Jesus Christ the central figure in + the Bible? How long was Christ's life on the earth? + Where was it passed? Among what class of people did + Jesus live? How do we know that Jesus led an active + life? What is the first of the seven periods into + which his life is divided? With what events does the + first period begin and end? Which gospel relates the + most of this period? Where was it mainly passed? How + long was it? What is the second period called? What + are its first and last events? By whom is it related? + Where was it passed? What were its results? What is + the third period called? With what events did it begin + and end? By what evangelists is it related? In what + province was it passed? What is the fourth period + called? With what events did it begin and end? What + provinces were visited during this period? What were + the traits of Christ's ministry at this time? What is + the fifth period called? How long was it? What in this + period is related by but one evangelist? Where did its + events take place? What is the sixth period called? + How long was it? With what events did it begin and + end? Which account is most complete? What is the + seventh and last period called? What were its first + and last events? Which gospel alone relates the + ascension? What were the traits of Jesus during those + days? + + + + +FOURTH STUDY + +The Thirty Years of Preparation + +From the Birth of Jesus to His Temptation. + + +We have before us the longest of all the divisions in the history of +Jesus, embracing thirty of his thirty-three years of life, and the one +concerning which we know the least. + +I. Let us study the =Places= connected with this period. These we group +according to locality, and not in the order of their events. Beginning +in the north and traveling southward we note the following places: + +1. =Nazareth, his early home=, in Galilee, due west of the southern +point of the Sea of Galilee. Here Joseph and Mary lived before the birth +of Jesus (Luke 2. 39); here Jesus was brought up (Luke 4. 16); and here +he was living up to the time of his baptism (Mark 1. 9). + +2. =Bethabara= (Rev. Ver., Bethany), =the place of his baptism=. This +was in the Jordan valley, south of the Sea of Galilee. (John 1. 28). + +3. =The wilderness, the place of his temptation.= (Matt. 4. 1.) This was +probably the rocky desolate region of Judea, near the head of the Dead +Sea. + +4. =Jerusalem, the place of the Temple=; the Jewish capital, due west of +the northern point of the Dead Sea. Find three visits of Jesus to the +temple during this period. 1.) In his infancy (Luke 2. 22). 2.) In his +youth (Luke 2. 42). 3.) In his manhood (Luke 4. 9). + +5. =Bethlehem, the place of his birth.= (Matt. 2. 1). This was six miles +south of Jerusalem, in Judea. + +6. =Egypt, the place of his refuge.= (Matt. 2. 14). This was the land +south-west of Palestine, where Jesus was taken in his infancy in order +to escape from King Herod. + +Let the student 1.) Draw a map showing these places. 2.) Memorize the +list. 3.) With each place name its event in the life of Jesus. 4.) Find +other events of Scripture history connected with these places. + +II. Let us arrange in order the =Events= of this period. 1. =The +annunciation of his birth.= 1.) To Mary (Luke 1. 26-38). 2.) To Joseph +(Matt. 1. 20, 21). 3.) To Simeon (Luke 2. 25, 26). 4.) To the shepherds +(Luke 2. 8-11). + +2. =The birth at Bethlehem.= Note the purpose for which Joseph and Mary +went to Bethlehem (Luke 2. 1-4). The circumstances of his birth (Luke 2. +6, 7). + +3. =The welcome to the child.= 1.) On the night of his birth (Luke 2. +15). 2.) A few days later (Matt. 2. 1, 11). 3.) In the temple (Luke 2. +25-28, 36, 38). + +4. =The refuge in Egypt= (Matt. 2. 13-15). This may have been for a few +weeks, a few months, or for a few years. + +5. =The childhood at Nazareth= (Matt. 2. 22, 23; Luke 2. 39, 40). By +what route would the journey from Egypt be made? + +6. =The visit to the temple.= Read the account in Luke 2. 41-52, and +notice: 1.) The age of Jesus. 2.) The object of the journey. 3.) +Probable route. 4.) Where he tarried and why. 5.) The objects of his +interest. 6.) Traits of his character shown. + +7. =The silent years.= From the age of twelve to that of thirty no +events are named. His home was still at Nazareth (John 1. 45). + +8. =The woodworker at Nazareth.= From the fact that Joseph is not +referred to after the visit to the temple it may be presumed that he +died before the ministry of Jesus began. He had been a "carpenter" +(Matt. 13. 35); although the word means, more precisely, "a skilled +worker in wood," and may refer to the making of almost anything except +houses, which were not built of wood. Jesus followed the same trade +(Mark 6. 3) and, as the oldest son, supported his widowed mother and +younger brothers and sisters (Mark 6. 3). + +9. =The baptism in Jordan.= Compare the four accounts (Matt. 3. 13-17; +Mark 1. 9-11; Luke 3. 21, 22; John 1. 28-34); and find: 1.) The place. +2.) The age of Jesus. 3.) The baptizer. 4.) The divine manifestation. + +10. =The temptation in the wilderness.= This followed immediately upon +the baptism, and was a preparation for his ministry (Matt. 4. 1-11; Mark +1. 12, 13; Luke 4. 1-13). Note: 1.) The place. 2.) The personality of +the tempter. 3.) The three forms of temptation. 4.) How repelled. 5.) +The result. + +Let the student, 1.) Memorize these nine events in their order. 2.) Read +the account of each in the gospels. 3.) Recall where each took place. +4.) Notice what other persons besides Jesus are named in the period (for +example, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna, Herod, etc.) and each one's part in +the events. + +[Illustration: _JOURNEYS OF 30 YEARS OF PREPARATION_] + +III. Draw the map of Palestine, locating upon it the live places named; +and then indicate the following =Journeys= of the period: 1. From +Bethlehem to Jerusalem (for the presentation in the temple) and return. +2. From Bethlehem to Egypt (flight from Herod). 3. From Egypt to +Nazareth. 4. From Nazareth to Jerusalem and return (visit to temple). 5. +From Nazareth to Bethabara (baptism). 6. Bethabara to the wilderness +(temptation). + +IV. Let us now study the =External Conditions= of Christ's life during +this period. + +1. =The family.= The royal line of both Joseph and Mary (Matt. 1. 1; +Luke 1. 27, 32). Their obscure social condition (Matt. 13. 54, 55). In +all probability they belonged to the better class of self-supporting +workers: for Joseph followed a trade. + +2. =The house.= Probably like those of working people in Palestine; +built of clay, one story high, containing but one room with no window, +but lighted through the door; whitewashed on the outside; floor of +earth. + +3. =The furniture.= A couch that could be rolled up (Mark 2. 12). A +lamp, a lamp-stand, "the bushel" (used as seat, table, and dish (Matt. +5. 15). Hand-mill for grinding (Deut. 24. 6; Matt. 24. 41). Probably +neither chair, table, nor bedstead. + +4. =Education.= Jesus received only the common schooling, not a college +education (John 7. 15). Contrast with the early advantages of Paul (Acts +22. 3). Every synagogue had a school taught by "the minister." See Luke +4. 20. He was not a priest, nor even a scribe, but properly the curator +or sexton of the synagogue, and all the teaching was the reading of the +Old Testament. + +5. =Religious training.= + + 1.) There was the influence of a godly man and woman. + Joseph, "a just man," living in fellowship with God. + (Matt. 1. 19, 20). The character of Mary (Luke 1. 38; + 2. 19, 51). + + 2.) The instruction in the Scriptures at home (Deut. + 6. 7.) + + 3.) The daily prayers, morning and evening, always + observed (Matt. 6. 5, 6). + + 4.) The Sabbath rest (Mark 2. 27). + + 5.) The worship of the synagogue (Luke 4. 16; Mark 6. + 2.) + + 6.) The great feasts, celebrated each year at + Jerusalem--Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles--which + Joseph and Mary attended (Luke 2. 41). + +Under these influences Jesus grew up to manhood. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Pla.= 1. Naz. ea. h. 2. Beth. pl. bap. 3. Wil. pl. temp. + 4. Jer. pl. Tem. 5. Beth. pl. bir. 6. Eg. pl. ref. + + II. =Even.= 1. Ann. bir. 2. Bir. Beth. 3. Wel. ch. 4. Ref. Eg. + 5. Chi. Naz. 6. Vis. Tem. 7. Sil. ye. 8. Wo. Naz. 9. Bap. + Jor. 10. Tem. wil. + + III. =Jour.= 1. B. J. R. 2. B. E. 3. E. N. 4. N. J. R. 5. N. C. + 6. B. W. + + IV. =Ext. Con.= 1. Fam. 2. Hou. 3. Furn. 4. Edu. 5. Rel. tra. + + +Questions for Review + + Where did the mother of Jesus live before her + marriage? At what place was Jesus baptized? Where did + the temptation take place? What three visits did Jesus + make to Jerusalem before his ministry? To what country + was Jesus taken as a refuge from Herod? Name six + places connected with this period and a fact about + each. Name four announcements made to different people + of the coming of Jesus. For what purpose did Joseph + and Mary go to Bethlehem just before the birth of + Jesus? Who came to see Jesus at Bethlehem. Who gave + him welcome in the temple during his infancy? How old + was Jesus when he first visited the temple? What part + of his life is known as "the silent years"? What trade + did Jesus follow when he became a man? What took place + at the baptism of Jesus? State nine events in the + first thirty years of Jesus's life. State a fact in + the life of Jesus with which each of the following + persons was connected: Joseph, Simeon, Herod, John the + Baptist, Gabriel, wise men, "the doctors of the law," + shepherds. How do we know that Joseph and Mary were + poor people? To what distinguished family did they + belong? In what kind of a house did they probably + dwell? What articles of furniture did the house + contain? What education did Jesus receive? Who was the + teacher of the school? What were the religious + influences around the youth of Jesus? What feasts did + he attend? + + + + +FIFTH STUDY + +The Year of Obscurity + +From the First Followers of Jesus to His Return to Galilee. + + +I. =Preliminary Notes= on the period. + +1. =Sources of Information.= Our only account of this period is +contained in =John's Gospel=. Read carefully John 1. 19 to 4. 54 for all +the facts on record. + +2. =Time.= The Saviour came from the temptation in the wilderness either +late in February or early in March, A. D. 27, and he began his ministry +in Galilee in May, A. D. 28; so that this period embraced nearly +=fifteen months=. (Edersheim. According to Andrews it ended in March, +and was a year in duration). + +3. =Locality.= Most of this year was passed in =Judea=, though there is +mention of one journey to =Galilee= soon after the beginning (John 1. +43), and of another at the close (John 4. 3). + +4. =Aim.= It is probable that Jesus began his ministry in Judea, the +leading province, in order to give to the leaders of the nation the +=first opportunity= of accepting him as the Messiah of Israel. Not until +Jerusalem and Judea had rejected him did he turn to the people of +Galilee. + +II. =Places.= + +1. =Bethabara= (or Bethany, as in Rev. Ver.) (John 1. 28). Here occurred +the meeting of Jesus with his first followers (John 1. 37). + +2. =Cana=, the place of the first miracle (John 2. 1). This was in +Galilee, not far from Nazareth. + +3. =Capernaum=, named only as a place of a brief visit by Jesus at this +time, but later more prominent in the history (John 2. 12). Situated on +the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee. + +4. =Sychar=, the place of the Samaritan ministry (John 4. 5, 40). This +was formerly supposed to be the well-known city of Shechem, but is now +more accurately fixed at _Askar_, a small village near to Jacob's well. + +5. =Jerusalem.= During this period two events took place in +Jerusalem--the cleansing of the temple (John 2. 14, 15), and the +conversation with Nicodemus (John 3. 1-21). + +[Illustration: _YEAR OF OBSCURITY._] + +III. =Journeys.= We begin in the wilderness of the temptation. 1. From +the wilderness to Bethabara. 2. From Bethabara to Cana. 3. From Cana to +Capernaum. 4. From Capernaum to Jerusalem and Judea. 5. From Judea to +Sychar, and thence to Cana. + +IV. We place in order next the =Events= of the Saviour's life during +this period. + +1. =The first followers.= Read John 1. 35-51 and ascertain the names of +four, with hints of two others; for one of two in ver. 40 was John, and +the language in ver. 41 implies that each sought his own brother. Notice +what traits of character each disciple showed. In this little company, +the band out of which grew the Christian Church, we find: 1.) A man who +brought people one by one to Jesus. 2.) A deep, spiritually-minded +mystic. 3.) A born leader. 4.) A plain, simple-minded believer. 5.) A +man of pure, spotless character. What a combination of qualities for the +founding of a church! + +2. =The first miracle= (John 2. 1-11). In this miracle we find an apt +symbol of what Christ came to do among men. He found water, and he +turned it into living, spirit-quickening wine. + +3. =The visit to Capernaum= (John 2. 12). Why he went we have no means +of knowing, and it is idle to speculate. + +4. =The first Passover= (John 2. 13). The mention of these passovers is +important, for they enable us to know how long was the ministry of +Jesus, and they give us dates for its events. This was the first +passover of his ministry, not of his life. + +5. =Cleansing the Temple= (John 2. 14-17). This was the first public act +of his ministry in which he claimed the authority of Messiah in the +house of God. See the prophecy, Mal. 3. 1-3. At the close of his +ministry he found that the same evils had crept again into the temple, +and purged it a second time (Matt. 21. 12). + +6. =Conversation with Nicodemus= (John 3. 1-21). This conversation was +remarkable: 1.) From the rank and character of the man (Vers. 3, 10). +2.) From the theme (Ver. 3.) 3). From its results (John 7. 50; 19. 39). + +7. =Ministry in Judea= (John 3. 22.) 1.) Its precise place is unknown. +2.) Its relation to John the Baptist (John 3. 26). 3.) Its success (John +4. 1). + +8. =Ministry in Samaria= (John 4. 4-42). 1.) What led to it. (Ver. 4.) +2.) Where it took place. (Ver. 5.) 3.) How it began. (Vers. 6, 7.) 4.) +Its first convert, a remarkable character, of aptness in speech, +penetration, and power to influence others. (Vers. 9, 15, 20, 25, 28, +30, 39.) Compare her brightness with the dullness of Nicodemus. 5.) Its +length. (Ver. 40.) 6.) Its results: (Vers. 41,42.) This ministry is a +most interesting episode in the life of Jesus. + +9. =Return to Galilee= (John 4. 43). 1.) Reason for the journey (John 4. +1-3). 2.) Another reason (Mark 1. 14). 3.) Still another reason (John 4. +44, 45)--that is, he had no honor in his own country until he had +obtained it in Judea. + +10. =Healing the nobleman's son= (John 4. 46-54). 1.) Where Jesus was. +(Ver. 46.) 2.) Who the man was. (Ver. 46)--literally, "a king's man, +courtier." Is his name given in Luke 8. 30? 3.) His spirit, earnestness, +persistence, faith. (Vers. 48-50.) 4.) His reward. (Vers. 51, 52.) 5.) +Result of the miracle. (Ver. 53.) + +Let the student, 1.) Commit this series to memory. 2.) Study the facts +in relation to each by searching out the references. 3.) Recall the +facts in connection with each event. 4.) Make a list of eight men and +two women who were connected with these events and recall what is +related of each person. + +V. Let us now consider the =General Traits of the Ministry of Christ= +during this period. + +1. It was =preparatory=. So far as we can perceive, the plans of +Christ's kingdom were not as yet revealed, and no general proclamation +of it was made. Yet he clearly revealed himself to a chosen few as the +Messiah of Israel (John 1. 41, 45: 4. 25, 26). + +2. =It was connected with John the Baptist.= The two streams of John's +ministry and Christ's ministry run together during this preparatory +ministry. John introduced Jesus (John 1. 29-36). The two worked at the +same time, in the same way, and not far apart (John 3. 22-24). Both +Jesus and John refused to be put into a relation of rivalry, either by +their friends (John 3. 25-30) or by their enemies (John 4. 1-3). + +3. It was =individual=--that is, to individuals rather than to masses of +people. We read of no such multitudes as in the succeeding period, but +we find six conversations of Jesus with single persons or small groups. +He sought to gather a few choice disciples rather than many adherents. + +4. It was a =teaching= ministry. There were miracles (John 2. 23; 3. 2), +but they were not made prominent; and the immediate followers of Jesus +were won by what they saw in him and heard from him rather than by +wonders wrought by him. + +VI. Lastly, we ascertain the =Results= of the Saviour's ministry during +this period. + +1. It gave him =prominence before the people=. The popular attention was +arrested, and there was a transient, superficial acceptance by the many; +but Jesus knew the hearts of men too well to trust them (John 2. 23, 24; +3. 26). + +2. It led to his =rejection by the rulers=. Though this is not stated it +is hinted at in the controversies of the Jewish leaders (John 2. 18); in +the conclusion of the gospel writer (John 3. 18-20), and in the +reference to the Pharisees (John 4. 1). From this hour the attitude of +the capital and the ruling minds was hostile to Jesus. They missed the +one great opportunity in their nation's history. + +3. It drew around him =chosen followers=. From this time there was a +company of disciples with Jesus. They returned to their homes in Galilee +for a time, but were soon called to leave all and accompany their +master. To some of them we find three separate calls (John 1. 37-42; +Matt. 4. 18-22 more than a year later, and Mark 3. 13, 14, later still). + +4. =It prepared for his ministry in Galilee.= The fame of Christ's acts +in Judea went before him to Galilee, awakened curiosity, and gave him a +ready reception on his return (John 4. 45). We shall find in the next +period great multitudes thronging after Jesus as the result of his +ministry in Judea. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Pre. Not.= 1. =Sour. Inf.= Jno. 2. =Ti.= 15 m. 3. =Loc.= + Jud. 4. =Aim.= Fir. opp. + + II. =Pla.= 1. Beth. 2. Can. 3. Cap. 4. Syc. 5. Jer. + + III. =Jour.= 1. W. B. 2. B. C. 3. C. C. 4. C. J. & J. + 5. J. S. & C. + + IV. =Even.= 1. Fir. Foll. 2. Fir. Mir. 3. Vis. Cap. 4. Fir. Pass. + 5. Cle. Tem. 6. Con. Nic. 7. Min. Jud. 8. Min. Sam. 9. Ret. + Gal. 10. Heal. Nob. Son. + + V. =Gen. Tra.= 1. Prep. 2. Con. J. Bap. 3. Ind. 4. Tea. + + VI. =Res.= 1. Prom. 2. Rej. rul. 3. Cho. fol. 4. Prep. Min. Gal. + + +Questions for Students + + What book is our only source of information for this + period? How long was the period? Where was it mostly + passed? What was Christ's aim at this time? Name the + five places of the period, and an event at each. Give + in order the ten events of this period. Who were the + first six followers of Jesus? What was his first + miracle, and where wrought? Where did Jesus go for his + first passover? Name two events that took place at + this visit. Where did Jesus preach for a time? What + led him to another province? Whom did he meet there, + and at what place? How long did he stay in the + province of Samaria? What were his reasons for + returning to Galilee? What miracle did he work on his + return? What were the circumstances of this miracle? + What were the general traits of Christ's ministry + during this period? What were the results of his + ministry? How did it prepare the way for his work in + Galilee? + + + + +SIXTH STUDY + +The Year of Popularity + +From the Rejection at Nazareth to the Discourse on the Bread of Life + + +I. =General Aspects of the Ministry of Christ during the Period.= + +1. =Its Time.= It was either a little less or a little more than a year, +according to different authorities. According to Dr. Edersheim it +extended from May, A. D. 28, to April, A. D. 29; according to Dr. +Andrews, from March, A. D. 28, to April, A. D. 29. + +2. =Its Locality.= The principal sphere of Christ's activity during this +year was Galilee, though he made one visit to Jerusalem (John 5. 1). + +3. =Its Aim.= The purpose of Jesus during this year seems to have been +to proclaim the new kingdom of God as widely as possible, and to make +men acquainted with its principles. The theme of his preaching is given +in Matt. 4. 17. The deeper themes of the Gospel were reserved for a +later time and a select body of hearers; and those aspects were +presented which all men could at once comprehend, as the teaching in the +Sermon on the Mount. + +4. =Its Activity.= No other year in the Saviour's life was crowded so +thickly with journeys and labors. See its summary in Matt. 4. 23-25. We +can trace eight distinct journeys from Capernaum to various regions +during this year. + +5. =Its Divisions.= The number of events left on record makes a +subdivision of this period necessary, and we find a convenient place at +the Sermon on the Mount, which marks a point of departure in the +Saviour's ministry. The =Early Galilean Ministry= extends from the +rejection at Nazareth to the Sermon on the Mount, and the =Later +Galilean Ministry= from the Sermon on the Mount to the discourse on the +Bread of Life. During the earlier section the ministry was personal and +the range was less extended; during the later Jesus sent his apostles +forth to labor, and his own journeys were longer and in new fields. + +II. =The Places.= Though the Saviour visited many places during this +year only seven have been named in the gospels. These are: + +1. =Capernaum=, his home during the period (Matt. 4. 15). From this +place he went forth on all of his preaching tours, and to it he +returned. Its privilege (Matt. 11. 23, 24). It was situated on the +northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. + +2. =Nazareth.= Twice in this period Jesus was at this place: at its +beginning (Luke 4. 16), and again in the middle of the year (Matt. 13. +54). On both occasions he was rejected by the people (Luke 4. 28, 29; +Matt. 13. 57). + +3. =Nain.= This was a city southwest of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus +restored a young man to life (Luke 7. 11). + +4. =The Mountain.= A few miles from Capernaum and west of the Sea of +Galilee is a mountain (probably Kurun Hattin, "the horns of Hattin") +where was delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5. 1). + +5. =Bethsaida=, a place on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, +east of the river Jordan. Near this was wrought the miracle of Feeding +the Five Thousand (Mark 6. 45). + +6. =Gergesa.= A place on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, called +also =Gerasa= (Mark 5. 1; Luke 8. 26. Rev. Ver.). + +7. =Jerusalem.= We read of one visit to the capital during this period +(John 5. 1). + +III. =The Early Galilean Ministry.= + +1.) =The Journeys.= Combining the accounts in the four gospels we find +that the journeys were the following: + +2.) =The Settlement at Capernaum= (Cana to Nazareth and Capernaum). From +Cana, where Jesus was at the close of the preceding period, he went to +Nazareth (Luke 4. 16), probably intending to begin his ministry there; +but being rejected went down to Capernaum and made it the headquarters +of his ministry (Luke 4. 30, 31). + +3.) =Tour in Eastern Galilee= (Capernaum, Eastern Galilee, and return). +From Capernaum Jesus went forth on a preaching tour through the villages +near the Sea of Galilee (Luke 4. 43, 44). + +4.) =A Visit to Jerusalem= (Capernaum to Jerusalem and return). Mention +is made in John 5. 1 of a feast in Jerusalem which Jesus attended, but +it is uncertain whether Passover, Tabernacles, or Purim is meant. + +5.) =The Mountain Journey= (Capernaum to the mountain and return). For +the purpose of quiet meditation and the call of his apostles Jesus went +to a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. There he chose the twelve and +gave to them and the multitudes around the Sermon on the Mount (Mark 3. +13, 14; Matt. 5. 1). + +[Illustration: _YEAR OF POPULARITY + +PART ONE_] + +IV. =Events of the Early Galilean Ministry.= + +1.) With the first Journey, the _Settlement at Capernaum_, we connect +the following events: + + 1. =The Rejection at Nazareth= (Luke 4. 16-30). + + 2. =The First Disciples Called= (Luke 5. 1-11). They + had already been followers of Jesus, but now were + called upon to leave their homes and become his + disciples. + + 3. =Miracles at Capernaum= (Mark 1. 21-34). The gospel + writers select the scenes of one day and show many + miracles, in the synagogue, at Peter's house, and in + the street. + +2.) With the Second Journey, the _Tour in Eastern Galilee_, we find two +events named: + + 4. =Healing of the Leper= (Mark 1. 40-45). This took + place during the journey. + + 5. =Healing the Paralytic= (Mark 2. 1-12). This took + place after the return to Capernaum. + +3.) With the Third Journey, the _Visit to Jerusalem_, we note two +events: + + 6. =The Miracle at Bethesda= (John 5. 1-16). Read this + in the Rev. Ver. and note what is omitted. Observe + also what resulted from this miracle in Jerusalem + (John 5. 16-19). + + 7. =The Withered Hand= (Mark 3. 1-6). This probably + took place at Capernaum, soon after the return from + Jerusalem. + +4.) With the Fourth, the _Mountain Journey_, we note two events: + + 8. =The Call of the Twelve= (Mark 3. 7-19). This was + at the mountain. + + 9. =Sermon on the Mount= (Matt. 5-7). This sermon is + omitted in Mark and abbreviated in Luke, but reported + fully in Matthew. + + +To the Teacher + + 1. Let the outline of the lesson be committed to + memory. + + 2. Let one scholar draw the maps in presence of the + class, another insert the places, a third indicate and + name the journeys. + + 3. Then let one scholar name all the events with the + first journey; another the events of the second + journey, etc. + + 4. Let a scholar be called upon to tell the story of + each one of the nine events in the period. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART ONE + + I. =Gen. Asp.= 1. Ti. 2. Loc. 3. Aim. 4. Act. 5. Div. + + II. =Pla.= 1. Cap. 2. Naz. 3. Nai. 4. Moun. 5. Beth. 6. Ger. + 7. Jer. + + III. =Ear. Gal. Min. Jour.= 1. Set. Cap. 2. To. Ea. Gal. 3. Vis. + Jer. 4. Moun. Jour. + + IV. =Events. Ear. Gal. Min.= + _Jour. 1._ 1. Rej. Naz. 2. Fir. Dis. Cal. 3. Mir. Cap. + _Jour. 2._ 4. Heal Lep. 5. Heal Par. + _Jour. 3._ 6. Mir. Beth. 7. With. Ha. + _Jour. 4._ 8. Ca. Tw. 9. Ser. Mo. + + +Questions for Review + +PART ONE + + How long was this period? Where was it passed? What + was the aim of Jesus during this year? What are its + two subdivisions? Name seven places visited by Jesus + during this period. Name four journeys during the + early part of this period. What three events are + connected with the settlement at Capernaum? What two + events are named in connection with the tour in + eastern Galilee? What two events are given with the + visit to Jerusalem? What two events are named with the + mountain journey? + + +PART TWO + +We now take up the second part of the Year of Popularity, from the +Sermon on the Mount to the Discourse on the Bread of Life. + +V. =The Journeys of the Later Galilean Ministry.= + +1. =Tour in Southern Galilee= (Capernaum to Nain and return). From +Capernaum Jesus led his disciples southward as far as Nain (Luke 7. 1, +11). There he wrought a miracle, and on the journey homeward preached in +various places (Luke 8. 1). + +2. =The Voyage to Gergesa.= (Capernaum to Gergesa and return.) With his +disciples Jesus sailed across the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8. 22), stilling +the tempest on the way. They landed at Gergesa, in the country of the +Gadarenes (Luke 8. 26)--that is, not far from the well-known city of +Gadara, which was twenty miles from the Sea of Galilee. Here the +Gadarene demoniac was restored, but the people were unwilling to receive +Jesus, so he sailed back to Capernaum (Matt. 9. 1.) + +[Illustration: _YEAR OF POPULARITY + +PART TWO._] + +3. =Tour in Central Galilee= (Capernaum to Nazareth and return). The +object of this journey was a second visit to Nazareth (Mark 6. 1), but, +like the first, it was unsuccessful; so Jesus left "his own country" and +preached in the villages of central Galilee (Mark 6. 6). + +4. =Retirement to Bethsaida= (Capernaum, Bethsaida, and return). In +order to obtain needed rest and seclusion Jesus and his disciples sailed +across the lake to the unsettled country near Bethsaida (Mark 6. 31, +32). Here he wrought the miracle of Feeding the Five Thousand, recrossed +the lake in the night, and a day or two afterward gave his last +discourse of the Galilean ministry. + +Let the pupil draw the same map as with Part One, but omitting the +journeys of that part; and place upon the maps the journeys of the later +Galilean ministry. + + +VI. =The Events of the Later Galilean Ministry.= + +1.) With the First Journey, the _Tour in Southern Galilee_: + + 1.) =The Widow's Son Raised= (Luke 7. 11-16). This + took place at Nain, southwest of the Sea of Galilee. + + 2.) =Washing the Saviour's Feet= (Luke 7. 36-50). This + event is to be carefully distinguished from the + "anointing by Mary," much later in the history. + +These two events are related only by Luke. + +2.) With the Second Journey, the _Voyage to Gergesa_: + + 3.) =Parables by the Sea= (Mark 4. 1-34; also in Matt. + 13. 1-52). These were given just before the journey. + + 4.) =Stilling the Tempest= (Mark 4. 1-35-41). + + 5.) =The Gadarene Demoniac Restored= (Mark 5. 1-20). + + 6.) =Jairus's Daughter Raised= (Mark 5. 21-43). Two + miracles wrought after the return from the Gadarene + country. + +3.) With the third Journey, the _Tour in Central Galilee_. + + 7.) =Second Rejection at Nazareth= (Mark 6. 1-6). + Compare with this the account of his former rejection, + and note the differences. + + 8.) =Sending out the Twelve= (Mark 6. 7-13). Read the + longer report of the charge to the Twelve in Matt. 10. + +4.) With the Fourth Journey, the _Retirement to Bethsaida_: + + 9.) =Feeding the Five Thousand= (Mark 6. 31-44). This + and the following are the only miracles related in all + the four gospels. Compare their accounts. + + 10.) =Walking on the Sea= (Mark 6. 45-52). Note the + additions in Matt. 14. 22-33). + + 11.) =Discourse on the Bread of Life= (John 6. 24-59). + This marked a crisis in his ministry, for it + proclaimed a spiritual application of the miracle, and + not a "kingdom of meat and drink," as men were + expecting. Note the results (John 6. 60-68). Thus at + the close of his Galilean ministry--as before at the + close of his Judean ministry--the Saviour was left + alone with his few disciples. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART TWO + + V. =Jour. Lat. Gal. Min.= 1. To. Gal. 2. Voy. Ger. 3. To. Cen. Gal. + 4. Ret. Beth. + + VI. =Ev. Lat. Gal. Min.=-- + _Jour. 1._ 1. Wid. So. Rai. 2. Wash. Sav. Fe. + _Jour. 2._ 3. Par. Sea. 4. Still Tem. 5. Gad. Dem. Res. 6. Jai. + Dau. Ra. + _Jour. 3._ 7. Sec. Rej. Naz. 8. Sen. Twel. + _Jour. 4._ 9. Fe. Fi. Th. 10 Wal. Sea. 11. Dis. Br. Li. + + +Questions for Review + +PART TWO + +[Review the Questions with Part One.] + + How many journeys are named with the later Galilean + ministry? What was the first journey of the later + Galilean ministry? The second journey? The third? The + fourth? What two events took place with the tour in + southern Galilee? What four events with the Gadarene + voyage? What two events with the tour in Central + Galilee? What three events with the retirement to + Bethsaida? + + + + +SEVENTH STUDY + +The Year of Opposition + +From the Retirement to Phoenicia to the Anointing by Mary + + +PART ONE + +I. =General Aspects of the Period.= + +1. =It was a year, lacking one week.= Jesus did not attend the third +passover of his ministry. We find him at this time still in Galilee, and +soon afterward leaving Galilee for "the coasts of Tyre and Sidon" (John +7. 1-3; Mark 7. 24). Nearly a year later, on the week before the fourth +passover, we find Jesus at Bethany, where the anointing by Mary took +place (John 12. 1, 2). Between these two passovers came the year of +opposition. + +2. =It was a year of wandering.= During this period we notice that Jesus +was in constant motion, staying only a little while at each place, and +in succession visiting all the five provinces of Palestine. Notice the +province referred to in each of the following references: John 7. 1; +Mark 7. 31; Mark 8. 27; Luke 9. 51, 52; Mark 10. 1; John 10. 40. + +3. =It was a year of retirement.= We do not find that Jesus sought the +multitudes during this year, though in new places he was sought by them +(Luke 11. 29; 12. 1). He seems to have chosen most of the time a +secluded life, preferring to be alone with his disciples. See instances +in Mark 7. 24, 32, 33, 36; 8. 22, 23, 26; 9. 30. + +4. =It was a year of instruction.= He chose to be alone with his +disciples, knowing that he was rapidly nearing the close of his life on +earth; and he wished to instruct his chosen followers in the deeper +truths of the gospel before he should be taken from them. His teaching +in this period presented the spiritual side of truth and the doctrines +of the cross. Notice how often during this year he foretold his own +death (Mark 8. 31; 9. 31, 32; 10. 32-34; John 12. 7, 8). + +5. =It was a year of opposition.= Nearly all the people had now +forsaken Jesus and turned against him. Note the attitude of the +Pharisees. (Matt 12. 23, 24, 38, 39; 23. 23.) The Sadducees, who were +the office-holding class, are mainly referred to in John 11. 47, 48, 53. +The attitude of the people. (John 6. 66.) Jesus was now rejected by the +rulers, the leaders of the religious class, and by the people. + +II. =The Localities of the Period.= Beside the five provinces, Judea, +Samaria, Galilee, Bashan and Peræa, two other lands or districts are +named: + +1. =Phoenicia=, called in the gospels "the borders of Tyre and Sidon," +narrow strip of territory between Mount Lebanon and the Mediterranean +Sea, northwest of Palestine. + +2. =Decapolis.= The word means "ten cities," and refers to a region, +partly in Bashan and partly in Peræa, wherein were ten important cities, +not Jewish but Gentile. + +In addition to the above we meet with names of eight cities: + +3. =Cæsarea Philippi=, at the foot of Mount Hermon, in the province of +Bashan. + +4. =Bethsaida=, on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. + +5. =Capernaum=, on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. + +6. =Bethabara=, in the Jordan Valley, east of the river, south of the +Sea of Galilee. + +7. =Jericho=, in the Jordan Valley, west of the river, near the head of +the Dead Sea. + +8. =Jerusalem=, the capital. + +9. =Bethany=, two miles east of Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the +Mount of Olives. + +10. =Ephraim=, or Ephron, fourteen miles north of Jerusalem, among the +mountains. + +III. =The Journeys and Events of the Period.= The information upon this +year is meager, and it is impossible to arrange its places and facts +with absolute certainty. No other period is so uncertain in the order of +its events as this. We trace in this period nine journeys; and with each +journey call attention to the most important events connected with it. +The first journey begins at Capernaum. + +1. =A Visit to Phoenicia.= (From Capernaum to Phoenicia.) (Matt. 15. +21). This was the only land outside of Palestine visited by Jesus, and +it is uncertain how far he entered within its limits. He sought +retirement and opportunity of instructing his disciples (Mark 7. 24). + +On this journey was wrought the miracle on the =Syrophenician Woman's +Daughter= (Mark 7. 25, 26), in which Jesus showed his disciples that +Gentiles may have true faith. + +[Illustration: _YEAR OF OPPOSITION._] + +2. =A Visit to Decapolis.= Finding seclusion impossible he went around +Galilee to Decapolis, east of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 7. 31). + +Here two miracles were wrought: 1.) =Healing the Deaf Man.= Notice its +peculiarities in Mark 7. 32-37. 2.) =Feeding the Four Thousand= (Mark 8. +1-9). Notice its differences from a former miracle in the preceding +period. + +3. =A Visit to Cæsarea Philippi.= (Decapolis to Dalmanutha, Bethsaida, +and Cæsarea Philippi.) Trace the route from Mark 8. 10, 22, 27. + +During this journey occurred four events: 1.) =Healing the Blind Man= +(Mark 8. 22-26). This was at Bethsaida. 2.) =Peter's Confession= (Matt. +16. 13-20). 3.) =The Transfiguration= (Mark 9. 2-8). 4.) =Healing the +Demoniac Boy= (Mark 9. 14-29). These three events were at Cæsarea +Philippi. + +4. =A Visit to Capernaum.= (Cæsarea Philippi to Capernaum.) (Mark 9. +33). Notice that his coming was unattended by the crowds of former times +(Mark 9. 33). This visit is noteworthy as his farewell to the city which +had been his home. + +On this visit took place the touching incident of the =Child in the +Midst= (Mark 9. 36, 37). + + +PART TWO + +5. =A Visit to Jerusalem.= (Capernaum, through Samaria, to Jerusalem.) +See Luke 9. 51, 52. His visit to the capital was for the purpose of +attending the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7. 2, 10, 14) and he seems to +have remained until the Feast of Dedication, two months later. + +In connection with this visit note, 1.) =The Rejection by Samaritans= +(Luke 9. 52-56). 2.) =Mary and Martha= (Luke 10. 38-42). 3.) =The Pool +of Siloam= (John 9. 1-7). 4.) =The Good Shepherd= (John 10. 1-18). + +6. =A Visit to Bethabara.= (Jerusalem to Bethabara.) From the Feast of +Dedication Jesus went down to Bethabara, evidently with the purpose of +beginning a ministry in Peræa (John 10. 39, 40). + +With this journey we place =Sending out the Seventy= (Luke 10. 1). These +messengers were sent out to prepare for the visit of Jesus to a new +province. + +7. =A Visit to Bethany= (John 11. 1, 7.) From Bethabara Jesus was +suddenly called to Bethany, near Jerusalem (John 11. 18). + +With this visit we place the =Raising of Lazarus= (John 11. 1-46), a +miracle narrated only by John, and told because it led directly to the +conspiracy against the life of Jesus (John 11. 47, 48). + +8. =A Visit to Peræa.= (From Bethany to Ephraim and Peræa.) Trace the +journey from John 11. 54, and Mark 10. 1. Jesus stayed some months in +Peræa, preaching to his people. + +Many events might be given with this Peræan ministry, of which we name +only, 1.) =Blessing the Children= (Mark 10. 13-16). 2.) =The Rich Young +Ruler= (Mark 10. 17-25). 3.) =Parable of the Prodigal Son= (Luke 15. +11-32). + +9. =A Second Visit to Bethany.= (From Peræa, through Jericho, to +Bethany.) Notice the journey in Mark 10. 32, 46; John 12. 1. + +With this journey notice the events, 1.) =The Healing of Bartimæus= +(Mark 10. 46, 52). 2.) =The Visit to Zacchæus= (Luke 19. 1-10). 3.) =The +Anointing by Mary= (John 12. 1-8). This brings the life of Christ within +one week of the Crucifixion, and completes the period. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Gen. Asp.= 1. Year. 2. Wan. 3. Ret. 4. Ins. 5. Opp. + + II. =Loc. Per.= La. Ph. Dec. Cit. C. P. B. C. B. J. J. B. E. + + III. =Jour.= 1. =Vis. Phoe.= 1.) Syr. Wom. Dau. + 2. =Vis. Dec.= 1.) He. De. M. 2.) Fe. Fou. Thou. + 3. =Vis. Ces. Phil.= 1.) Hea. Bl. M. 2.) Pet. Con. 3.) Trans. + 4.) Hea. Dem. B. + 4. =Vis. Cap.= 1.) Ch. Mid. + 5. =Vis. Jer.= 1.) Rej. Sam. 2.) M. and M. 3.) P. Sil. + 4.) G. Sh. + 6. =Vis. Beth.= 1.) Sen. 70. + 7. =Vis. Beth.= 1.) Rai. Laz. + 8. =Vis. Per.= 1.) Bl. Ch. 2.) R. Yo. Ru. 3.) Par. Prod. So. + 9. =Sec. Vis. Beth.= 1.) Hea. Bar. 2.) Vis. Zac. + 3.) Anoin. Ma. + + +Review Questions + + With what event does the Year of Opposition begin? + With what does it end? How long was it? Where was it + passed? How did it differ from the preceding year? Why + did Jesus seek retirement at this time? What was the + feeling of the people toward Jesus? What land outside + of Palestine was visited by Jesus? What miracle was + wrought during this visit? Where was the Second + Journey of this Period? What two miracles were wrought + at this time? What was the Third Journey? Name four + events connected with this journey. What was the + Fourth Journey? The Fifth Journey? Name four events + with this journey. Where did Jesus go for the Sixth + Journey? Whom did he send out at this time, and for + what purpose? What was the place and what the purpose + of the Seventh Journey? Where was the Eighth Journey? + What took place with this journey? What was the Ninth + Journey? Name three events of this journey. + + + + +EIGHTH STUDY + +The Week of the Passion + +From the Triumphal Entry Until the Agony in the Garden + + +I. =General View of the Period.= + +1. Our studies have now reached the close of the Saviour's ministry and +have brought us to his =last visit to Jerusalem=. This period presents +the last appeal of Jesus to the Jewish people and his final +conversations with his disciples before his death. + +2. Strictly speaking, "the week of the passion" or suffering of Jesus +should include all the events from his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on +Sunday until his burial on Friday evening. But the events of the day of +his crucifixion were so many and so important as to make that day a +period by itself, and we therefore consider at present only =five days=, +from the Sunday morning to the Thursday night of the Jewish Passover, +the night before the Saviour's crucifixion. + +3. All its events took place in or =near Jerusalem=. On each morning +Jesus went from Bethany, where he remained at night with his friends, +the household of Mary and Martha; and on each evening except the last he +returned to Bethany. The days were mostly spent in Jerusalem. + +II. In the study of this period we note the following =Places=: + +1. =Bethany=, a small village on the eastern slope of the Mount of +Olives. It was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11. 1). Its +distance from Jerusalem (John 11. 18). The lodging place of Jesus at +this time (Matt. 21. 17). + +2. =The Temple= in Jerusalem. Here Jesus passed most of the time during +the first three days of this week in discussion with the Jews (Luke 21. +37). The part of the temple in which Jesus taught (John 8. 20; Mark 12. +41). This was the Court of the Women, called "the treasury" because of +boxes for contributions upon its walls. It was inside the larger Court +of the Gentiles, and was about two hundred and thirty feet square, open +above to the sky, but with galleries around. + +3. =The Supper room.= See Mark 14. 13-17. The place is unknown; but +there is on Mount Zion a locality pointed out by tradition which may or +may not be correct. This was probably the "upper room" used as a meeting +place after the Resurrection and Ascension (John 20. 19; Acts 1. 13; 2. +1). + +4. =The Mount of Olives.= This is a range of hills east of Jerusalem and +separated from the Temple by the Valley of the Kedron (John 18. 1). Its +distance from the city (Acts 1. 12). Here began the Triumphal Entry +(Luke 19. 37). From this height Jesus gave his prophecy of the +destruction of the city (Mark 13. 3, 4). + +5. =The Garden of Gethsemane.= The word means "oil-press," and suggests +that it was an olive orchard on the western slope of the Mount of Olives +(Mark 14. 26, 32). A garden is still shown which may be the true +locality of the Agony. + +Let the student draw a map of Jerusalem and its surroundings and locate +upon it the above places, not failing to search out the references and +associate the events with their localities. + +III. We draw on our map and fix in our memory the following =Journeys=: + +1. =On Sunday, the First Journey; from Bethany to the Temple and +Return.= On the first day of the week Jesus left Bethany, entered in +triumphal procession into Jerusalem, looked around on the Temple, and at +evening returned to Bethany. + +2. =On Monday, the Second Journey; from Bethany to the Temple and +Return.= Early in the morning, without waiting for breakfast, Jesus left +Bethany (Mark 11. 12), and crossed the ridge of the Mount of Olives, on +the way cursing the barren fig tree. He cleansed the Temple of its +traders, and at evening returned again to Bethany (Mark 11. 19). + +3. =On Tuesday, the Third Journey; from Bethany to the Temple and +Return.= This was the last day of Christ's public teaching, closing with +a terrible denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees. Toward evening he +went out of the Temple for the last time, sat upon the Mount of Olives +with his disciples, and gave to them his prediction of the destruction +of the city (Mark 13. 1-4). + +4. =On Thursday afternoon, the Fourth Journey; from Bethany to the +Supper room.= Take notice that no journey or event is named by any +evangelist as taking place on Wednesday. Probably the day was passed in +seclusion and meditation, for no conversations with disciples are +recorded. On Thursday afternoon Jesus with his disciples left Bethany +and walked over the mountain and the valley to Jerusalem (Mark 14. 16, +17), where they celebrated the passover and partook of the Last Supper +together. Afterward came the long conversations recorded in John 13 to +17. + +5. =On Thursday, at about midnight, the Fifth Journey; from the Supper +room to Gethsemane.= The Saviour and his eleven disciples went from the +supper room into the silent streets of Jerusalem, through the gate, and +into the valley of Kedron. They crossed the brook and entered the Garden +of Gethsemane, where the Agony took place, and immediately after it the +Arrest (John 18. 1). + +IV. We now pass in order the =Events= of these five days: + +1. =The Triumphal Entry.= (Sunday.) (Mark 11. 1-10.) Compare the +accounts and note the additions made by John. (John 12. 12-16.) + +2. =The Barren Fig tree.= (Monday.) (Mark 11. 12-14.) This was not a +wanton or petulant act of cursing. The tree was a vivid picture of the +Jewish state, bearing leaves but no fruit, and the miracle was wrought +as a warning of impending doom. + +3. =Cleansing the Temple.= (Monday.) (Mark 11. 15-17.) Once before, in +the beginning of his ministry, Jesus had purged the Temple (John 2. +13-16). But the former abuses had crept in again, and Christ again +proclaimed his authority in his Father's house. + +4. =The Last Discourses.= (Tuesday.) (Mark 11. 27; 12. 44.) On this day +Jesus met and vanquished in debate successively the rulers (Mark 11. +27-33); the Pharisees (Mark 12. 1-12; Matt. 21. 45); the Herodians (Mark +12. 13-17); the Sadducees (Mark 12. 18-27); and the scribes (Mark 12. +28-37). He closed his ministry with a rebuke to the scribes and +Pharisees (Matt. 23. 1-39); and after commending the gift of the widow +(Mark 12. 41-44) went out of the Temple, never to return (Mark 13. 1, +2.) + +5. =The Prophecy of the Last Things.= (Tuesday.) In the afternoon of +that day Jesus sat with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, and +looking down upon the city gave a prophecy to his disciples, mingling +the predictions of the city's overthrow and of the end of the world +(Mark 13. 1-37). In Matthew are added two parables--the Ten Virgins +(Matt. 25. 1-13), and the Talents (Matt. 25. 14-30), and also the +description of the Last Judgment (Matt. 25. 31-46). + +6. =The Retirement at Bethany.= (Wednesday.) Inasmuch as none of the +gospels mention any event of Wednesday we assume that the day was passed +in retirement. + +7. =The Last Supper.= (Thursday.) On the afternoon of Thursday Jesus +went to Jerusalem with the Twelve, partook of the Passover, and at its +close instituted the Lord's Supper (Mark 14. 12-31). + +8. =The Last Conversation.= (Thursday evening.) (John 14 to 18.) After +the Supper the long conversation took place recorded in full by John, +and scarcely mentioned in the other gospels. + +9. =The Agony in the Garden.= (Thursday, midnight.) Late at night Jesus +crossed the brook Kedron and entered the Garden of Gethsemane, where the +Agony came upon him (Mark 14. 32-42). + + +Blackboard Outline + +THE WEEK OF THE PASSION + + I. =Gen. Vi.= 1. La. Vis. Jer. 2. Fi. Da. 3. Ne. Jer. + + II. =Pla.= 1. Beth. 2. Tem. 3. Sup.-ro. 4. Mo. Oli. 5. Gar. Geth. + + III. =Jour.= 1. (Sun.) Be. Tem. Re. 2. (Mon.) Be. Tem. Re. 3. (Tu.) + Be. Tem. Re. 4. (Thu.) Be. Sup.-ro. 5. (Thu.) Sup.-ro. Geth. + + IV. =Events.= 1. Tri. Ent. (Sun.) 2. Bar. Fig. tr. (Mon.) 3. Cl. + Tem. (Mon.) 4. La. Dis. (Tue.) 5. Pro. La. Th. (Tue.) 6. Ret. + Beth. (Wed.) 7. La. Sup. (Thu.) 8. La. Con. (Thu.) 9. Ag. + Gar. (Thu.) + + +Questions for Review + + Where did the events of this period take place? + Between what days did they occur? In what village did + Jesus pass most of the nights of this week? Where was + the Last Supper partaken? Where did Jesus begin his + triumphal entry into the city? What journey took place + on the Sunday of this week? On Monday? On Tuesday? On + Thursday afternoon? Name the events of Sunday. Of + Monday. Of Tuesday. Of Wednesday. Of Thursday. + + + + +NINTH STUDY + +The Day of the Crucifixion + +From the Betrayal to the Burial of Jesus + + +I. =General View of the Period.= + +1. This period embraces the events of but =one day= in the life of +Jesus. It was the day following the Passover Day, and therefore the +fifteenth of the month Nisan, in the Jewish year. See Num. 28. 16. + +The betrayal of Jesus took place a little after midnight, on Friday +morning, and the burial about sunset on the same day; so that the +transactions of the period include about eighteen hours. + +2. It was, however, =an eventful day= in the life of Jesus. No day in +all Bible story is narrated with the fullness of this day. Nearly +one-twelfth of the matter in the four gospels is occupied with the +account of this one day. If the whole story of Christ's life were +written out with equal completeness to this one day's record it would +require more than four hundred volumes as large as the New Testament. + +3. It was an =important day=; the most important in the history of the +world. Notice in the epistles how much more is said of the death of +Christ than of his life. See 1 Cor. 2. 2; Gal. 6. 14; 1 John 1. 7. +Because of its eventfulness and importance we should give it careful +study and place in order its events as a separate period in the life of +Jesus Christ. + +II. =The Places.= All these are in or near Jerusalem; but none of them +can be identified with certainty. Yet it is well to know the traditional +localities and to fix them upon the map of the city. There are five +places named in the story of this day. + +1. =The Garden of Gethsemane.= Here Jesus was arrested, immediately +after the agony (Mark 14. 43). See the mention of this locality in the +last study. + +2. =The High Priest's House= (Mark 14. 53, 54). The high priest at that +time was Caiaphas, but his father-in-law, Annas, who had been deposed by +the Romans, was still regarded by the Jews as the legitimate priest, +and possessed great authority. There was no special "palace" of the high +priest, and Annas and Caiaphas may have lived in the same group of +buildings. The place is located by tradition on Mount Zion, near that of +the supper room. + +3. =Pilate's Palace= (Mark 15. 1-16). The Roman capital of Judea was not +in Jerusalem, but at Cæsarea, where the procurator resided (Acts 23. 23, +24). But it was customary for the governor to visit Jerusalem at the +time of Passover, in order to quell any disturbance at that time, when +the city was thronged. Pilate may have made his headquarters in +Jerusalem either in the castle of Antonia, north of the temple (referred +to in Acts 21. 34, and elsewhere), or in the palace of Herod the Great +on the northwest corner of Mount Zion, the place now occupied by the +(so-called) Tower of David. The latter locality is accepted by the best +of the recent authorities. Here Jesus was brought for his trial and +sentence by Pontius Pilate. + +4. =Herod's Palace.= At that time Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and +Peræa (Luke 3. 1), the slayer of John the Baptist, was present in +Jerusalem attending the Passover, and to him Jesus was sent by Pilate +(Luke 23. 7). His abiding place was probably the old Maccabean palace, +about midway between the temple and Pilate's headquarters. + +5. =Calvary or Golgotha.= See Luke 23. 33 and Mark 15. 22 for the two +names, one of which is Greek, the other Hebrew, both meaning +"skull-like" or "the place of skulls." All positively known about this +place is that it was outside the wall, but near the city (John 19. 20). +Two localities are given: the traditional one, north of Zion and west of +the temple, now occupied by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; the other, +recently coming into notice and accepted by many scholars, a hill on the +north of the city, containing a great cave known as the "Grotto of +Jeremiah." We adopt the latter place as Calvary, although the evidence +is by no means certain. The place of the cross and that of the burial +were in the same locality (John 19. 41, 42). + +It would be well for the student to draw a rough diagram showing these +places in their general relation to each other, as above. + +III. We notice the =Journeys of Jesus= on the day of his crucifixion. + +1. =From Gethsemane to the High Priest's House.= From the Garden of +Gethsemane Jesus was taken to the high priest's house for examination +before Annas and Caiaphas (Luke 22. 54.) + +2. =From the High Priest's House to Pilate's Palace.= After examination +before the high priests and the Jewish council Jesus was led to Pilate +for another trial (Luke 23. 1). + +[Illustration] + +3. =From Pilate's Palace to Herod's Palace and return.= Pilate sent +Jesus to Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee; but Herod was unwilling to +pass judgment upon him and sent him back (Luke 23. 7-11). + +4. =From Pilate's Palace to Calvary.= At this second appearance before +Pilate Jesus was condemned to death, and was taken to Calvary, outside +the wall. Here he was crucified and after his death was buried (John 19. +16, 17, 41). + +Let the student draw on the diagram a line representing each of these +journeys and recall the events associated with them. + +In Jerusalem, at the present time, there is a street known as Via +Dolorosa, "the Sorrowful Way," over which Jesus is believed to have +carried his cross from Pilate's judgment hall to Calvary. But in our +view both Pilate's judgment hall and Calvary are wrongly located by +tradition, and therefore this path cannot be the true "way of the +cross." + +IV. =The Events.= We may group all the transactions of this momentous +day around eleven leading events: + +1. =The Betrayal= (Mark 14. 43-50). This was in the Garden of +Gethsemane, a little after midnight, and, therefore, on Friday, the 15th +of Nisan. See the more detailed account in John 18. 1-11. + +2. =Jesus before Annas= (John 18. 12, 13). This was a preliminary +examination, and not official in its character. + +3. =Jesus before Caiaphas= (John 18. 24). Read the account of the event +in Mark 14. 53-72. By comparing the four accounts we find that there was +first an examination before the high priest and such of the council as +could be gathered (Mark 14. 55), and then later a trial before the +entire Sanhedrin, or body of the elders (Luke 22. 66), at which Jesus +was condemned to death. Peter's denial took place in the house of the +high priest (John 18. 24, 25). + +4. =Jesus before Pilate.= The Jews had no power to sentence to death, +and hence were compelled to bring Jesus before Pilate (John 18. 28-32). +Notice that the Jews condemned Jesus on one ground, but accused him +before Pilate on another (Matt. 26. 65, 66; Luke 23. 2). The dialogue of +Pilate with Jesus is given in John 18. 29-37. Pilate declared Christ's +innocence and proposed that he should be released, but the people still +demanded that he should be put to death. + +5. =Jesus before Herod.= Pilate was unwilling to take the responsibility +either of putting to death an innocent man or of offending the Jews by +releasing him. He therefore sent him to Herod. But Herod also refused to +judge the case and after mocking Jesus sent him back to Pilate (Luke 23. +6-11). + +6. =Jesus Condemned to Death.= After Jesus was brought back Pilate still +endeavored to save his life. But instead of setting him free at once as +an innocent man he proposed to release him as an act of good feeling at +the Passover festival. The Jews chose Barabbas and rejected Jesus; and +at last Pilate gave unwilling sentence that Jesus should be crucified. +He was then delivered to the soldiers to be mocked and tortured (Luke +23. 13-25). + +7. =Jesus Bearing his Cross.= On the way from Pilate's palace to Calvary +Jesus was compelled to carry one of the beams of his own cross (John 19. +17). A part of the way his cross was carried by a man named Simon, of +Cyrene, in Africa (Mark 15. 21). + +8. =Jesus on the Cross.= At Calvary Jesus was fastened to the cross by +nails through his hands and feet (Luke 23. 33; John 20. 25). He was +crucified at nine o'clock in the morning and lived until three o'clock +in the afternoon (Mark 15. 25-34). The stupefying potion offered to him +before he was crucified (Mark 15. 23). Note the four versions of the +superscription (Matt. 27. 37; Mark 15. 26; Luke 23. 38; John 19. 19). +The witnesses (John 19. 25). + +9. =The Seven Words from the Cross.= The first word (Luke 23. 34). The +second word (John 19. 26, 27). The third word (Luke 23. 43). The fourth +word (Matt. 27. 46). The fifth word (John 19. 28). The sixth word (John +19. 30). The seventh word (Luke 23. 46). + +10. =The Death on the Cross.= The fact (Mark 15. 37). A remarkable +testimony (Mark 15. 39). A remarkable event (Matt. 27. 51-53). An +evidence of his death (John 19. 32-35). + +11. =The Burial.= Why the body was taken away (John 19. 31). How it was +obtained (John 19. 38). The preparation (John 19. 39, 40). The place of +burial (Matt. 27. 59, 60). The witnesses (Matt. 27. 61). The sealing of +the tomb (Matt. 27. 62-66). + + +Blackboard Outline + +DAY OF CRUCIFIXION + + I. =Gen. Vie.= 1. On. Da. 2. Ev. Da. 3. Imp. Da. + + II. =Pla.= 1. Gar. Geth. 2. H. P. Ho. 3. Pil. Pal. 4. Her. Pal. + 5. Cal. Gol. + + III. =Jour.= 1. Geth. H.-p. Ho. 2. H.-p Ho. Pil. Pal. 3. Pil. Pal. + Her. Pal. Re. 4. Pil. Pal. Calv. + + IV. =Events.= 1. Betr. 2. J. bef. Ann. 3. J. bef. Cai. 4. J. bef. + Pil. 5. J. bef. Her. 6. J. Con. Dea. 7. J. Bear. Cro. 8. J. + on Cro. 9. Sev. Wo. Cro. 10. De. Cro. 11. Bur. + + +Questions for Review + + How long was this period? What was its date in the + Jewish year? What shows that it was an eventful day? + Why was this the most important day in the world's + history? What are the five places named in this + period? State the probable location of each place. + Name four journeys of this period. Name eleven events + of this period. Before what rulers was Jesus brought + for examination or trial? State the seven utterances + of Jesus on the cross. What took place at the moment + of Jesus's death? Why was the body buried so soon? Why + was the tomb sealed? Who witnessed the burial? + + + + +TENTH STUDY + +The Forty Days of Resurrection + +From the Resurrection to the Ascension of Christ + + +I. =The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection.= Strange as the resurrection +may appear to men in general, and unexpected as it was to the disciples +of Jesus, it was the necessary completion of his work on earth. + +1. It was necessary =from the nature of Christ=. A divine man, it was +impossible that he should be held in the grave (Acts 2. 24). His +resurrection showed that he was the Son of God (Rom. 1. 4). + +2. It was necessary =for the fulfillment of prophecy=. Jesus himself +declared that the prophecies pointed to his resurrection (Luke 24. 45, +46). The apostles constantly appealed to the Old Testament prophecies +(Acts 13. 34, 35; 26. 22, 23; 1 Cor. 15. 4). + +3. It was necessary for the =work of redemption=. He lived as our +example, and he must appear before God as our high priest and mediator +(Rom. 4. 25; 8. 34; 1 Cor. 15. 17). + +4. It was necessary for the =faith of the disciples=. If Christ had not +risen the world would never have heard of his life and the church would +never have existed (1 Cor. 15. 19, 20; 1 Pet. 1. 3). + +5. It was necessary to =attest Christ's authority=. But for the +resurrection the name of Jesus could have possessed no more weight than +any other name. Raised from the dead he has all power (Matt. 28. 18; +Acts 13. 33; 17. 31). + +6. It was necessary as a =pledge of our resurrection=. If Christ rose we +too shall rise (Acts 26. 23; 1 Cor. 15. 12, 20-23). + +II. =The Fact of Christ's Resurrection.= + +1. =It was proved by the testimony of witnesses.= See Acts 1. 3; 2. 32. +The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrection was in +itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow (Mark 16. 10; Luke 24. 17). +Afterward they were glad (Luke 24. 52; John 20. 20). The Christian +Church to-day is the best evidence; for without the resurrection it +could never have been established. + +2. =It was effected by the power of God.= (Acts 3. 15; Rom. 8. 11; Eph. +1. 20). Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with this (John 2. +19; 10. 18). The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as raising Christ from +the dead (1 Peter 3. 18). + +3. It took place =on the first day of the week=. (Mark 16. 9). In +commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed by +the early Church (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 16. 2). The name given to this day +(Rev. 1. 10). + +4. It took place on =the third day after his death=. The body of Jesus +was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours--from sunset on +Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish notation of time this +was three days (Luke 24. 46; Acts 10. 40; 1 Cor. 15. 4). + +III. =The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection.= It is not +easy, perhaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the accounts in +the gospels and in 1 Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best authorities unite in the +following order of the manifestations of Christ between the resurrection +and the ascension: + +1. =To Mary Magdalene= (Mark 16. 9). This was at the sepulcher, very +soon after the resurrection. Several women went to the sepulcher, found +it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. They went to +bear the news to the disciples (Mark 16. 1-8; Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24. +1-10). Mary Magdalene returned after the rest had gone and saw the risen +Lord (John 20. 1-18). Notice that this Mary is to be carefully +distinguished from Mary of Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed +woman in Luke 7. 37. + +2. =To the other women= (Matt. 28. 9). This was near the sepulcher, a +few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of these women +(Mark 16. 1; Luke 24. 10). + +3. =To two disciples= (Luke 24. 13-32). The place where Jesus was +revealed (Luke 24. 13). The name of Luke's probable informant (Luke 24. +18). + +4. =To Peter= (Luke 24. 33, 34; 1 Cor. 15. 5). This was in Jerusalem. +What took place at this meeting has not been revealed. + +5. =To ten disciples= (Luke 24. 36-43). Another account in John 20. +19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the Last Supper +had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the day of +resurrection. + +6. =To eleven disciples= (John 20. 26-29). This was in the same place a +week later. + +7. =To seven disciples= at the Sea of Galilee (John 21. 1-22). At this +interview Peter was reinstated in his apostleship. + +8. =To five hundred disciples= (1 Cor. 15. 6). This was the official +manifestation of Christ appointed before his death (Matt. 26. 32; 28. +16). It took place "on the mountain" (Rev. Ver.), probably where the +Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the great commission was +given (Matt. 28. 18-20). + +9. =To James= (1 Cor. 15. 7). Nothing is known about this meeting. The +relationship of James to Jesus (Mark 6. 3; Gal. 1. 19). Allusions to him +in Acts 15. 13; 21. 18. His epistle (James 1. 1). Probably this +appearance was in Jerusalem (Acts 1. 14). + +10. =The Ascension= (Luke 24. 50-53; Acts 1. 9). This was at Bethany, on +the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1. 12). The promise at +his departure (Acts 1. 10, 11). + +This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the place of +each noted on the map, with its circumstances and events. + +IV. =The Traits of the Risen Christ.= There were some respects in which +Jesus after his resurrection was the same as he had been before; but +there were also some essential differences. + +1. =He was the very same Jesus.= It was not a spirit, a disembodied +ghost, which appeared to the disciples. He possessed personal identity, +and was the living one whom the disciples had known before. See Luke 24. +39, 40; John 20. 27. + +2. =He appeared only occasionally.= He did not come to remain with his +people, for it was better for them that he should go away (John 16. 7). +He manifested himself after his resurrection often enough to strengthen +faith, but not enough to lead his disciples to lean upon his presence. + +3. =He appeared to his disciples only= (Acts 10. 40, 41). Why he did not +appear to unbelievers (Luke 16. 31). His personal ministry was ended, +and henceforth he was to speak to men through his messengers (2 Cor. 5. +19, 20). + +4. =He possessed a spiritual body.= There is a spiritual body (1 Cor. +15. 40-44). Christ possessed such a body, uncontrolled by physical law, +but dominated by the spirit. He came and went at will (Luke 24. 36; John +20. 19). He withheld himself from recognition or permitted it as he +chose (Luke 24. 15, 16; 24. 30, 31; John 20. 14-16; 21. 4-7). With us +the body limits the spirit; with him the spirit controlled the body. + +5. =He recognized individuals= after his resurrection. The grave had not +blotted out his memory of the past nor of his personal regard for +people. He called his friends by name after his resurrection (Matt. 28. +10; John 20. 16; 20. 26; 21. 15). He showed the same spirit of +affection, of tenderness, and of patience with the mistakes of his +followers as he had shown during his earthly life. His gentleness toward +a sorrowing woman (John 20. 11-15). His kindness toward a doubting +disciple (John 20. 24-29). His forgiveness of a denying disciple (John +21. 15-19). Such were the traits which he bore away from earth, and such +are the traits which he bears still on his throne. + + +Blackboard Outline + +THE FORTY DAYS OF RESURRECTION + + I. =Nec. Chr. Res.= 1. Nat. Ch. 2. Ful. pro. 3. Wo. red. 4. Fai. + dis. 5. Att. Chr. auth. 6. Pl. ou. res. + + II. =Fac. Chr. Res.= 1. Pro. tes. wit. 2. Eff. pow. G. 3. Fir. da. + we. 4. Th. d. af. de. + + III. =Ten. App. Je. af. Res.= 1. Ma. Mag. [Sep.] 2. Oth. wom. [Sep.] + 3. Tw. dis. [Emm.] 4. Pet. [Jer.] 5. Ten dis. [Jer.] 6. Elev. + dis. [Jer.] 7. Sev. dis. [Sea Gal.] 8. Fiv. hun. dis. + [Mt. Gal.] 9. Jas. [Jer.] 10. Asc. [Beth.] + + IV. =Tra. Ris. Chr.= 1. Ver. sa. Jes. 2. Ap. on occ. 3. To dis. + on. 4. Pos. spir. bod. 5. Rec. ind. + + +Questions for Review + + Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ a necessity? + What proves the fact of the resurrection? How was the + resurrection effected? When did it take place? How + long after the death of Jesus was his resurrection? + How many times did Jesus appear after his + resurrection? To whom did he appear first? What were + the circumstances of this appearance? What were the + five appearances on the day of resurrection? Name the + instances when Jesus appeared during the forty days + after the resurrection day. What were the traits of + the risen Christ? What was the nature of his body + after his resurrection? + + + + +ELEVENTH STUDY + +The New Testament World + + +We have seen that the life of Jesus Christ while on earth was limited to +the land of Palestine. But in a few years the church founded by his +apostles overstepped the boundaries of that land; and its scope became +world-wide. Therefore as we begin the history of the Early Church it +becomes necessary for us to study =the New Testament World=. + +Comparing the maps before us with that of the Old Testament World we +find that in the four centuries between the events of the Old and New +Testaments the dominion of the world passed from Asia to Europe, and +Jerusalem, which had been in the center, became one of the cities upon +the extreme east. Hence our map moves with the course of the empire +westward a thousand miles. + +I. We draw the outlines of the most important =Seas=. These are: + +1. The =Mediterranean Sea=, from its eastern limits as far west as +Italy. Voyages on it are referred to in Acts 9. 30; 13. 4; 21. 1, 2; 27. +3. + +2. The =Sea of Galilee=, associated with the life of Christ. Find its +three different names in Matt. 15. 29; John 6. 1; Luke 5. 1. + +3. The =Dead Sea=, not named in the New Testament. + +4. The =Black Sea=, north of Asia Minor. + +5. The =Ægean Sea=, between Asia Minor and Greece. Voyages upon it (Acts +16. 11; 18. 18; 20. 13-15). + +6. The =Adriatic Sea=, between Greece and Italy (Acts 27. 27). + +II. In these seas are many =Islands=, of which we name five of the most +noteworthy in New Testament history: + +1. =Cyprus=, in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean (Acts 4. 36; +13. 4). + +2. =Crete=, south of the Ægean Sea, between Asia Minor and Greece (Acts +27. 7; Titus 1. 5). + +3. =Patmos=, in the Ægean Sea, not far from Ephesus (Rev. 1. 9). + +4. =Sicily=, southwest of Italy (Acts 28. 12). + +5. =Melita=, now Malta, south of Sicily (Acts 28. 1). + +III. We locate the different =Provinces=, arranging them in four groups. + +[Illustration: MAP OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD] + +1. Those on the continent of =Europe= are: 1.) =Thrace.= 2.) =Macedonia= +(Acts 14. 9, 10; 20. 1-3). 3.) =Greece=, also called =Achaia= (Acts 18. +12; 20. 3). 4.) =Illyricum= (Rom. 15. 19). 5.) =Italy= (Acts 27. 1). + +2. Those on the continent of =Africa= are: 1.) =Africa Proper.= 2.) +=Libya= (Acts 2. 10) 3.) =Egypt= (Matt. 2. 13). + +3. Those on the continent of =Asia=, exclusive of Asia Minor, are: 1.) +=Arabia=, perhaps referring to the desert region southeast of Palestine +(Gal. 1. 17). 2.) =Judea=, the Jewish name for all Palestine, in the New +Testament period (Luke 1. 5). 3.) =Phoenicia= (Mark 7. 24; Acts 15. 3; +21. 2). 4.) =Syria=, north of Palestine (Acts 15. 41; 20. 3). + +4. The provinces in =Asia Minor= are so frequently mentioned in the Acts +and Epistles that it is necessary for the student to learn their names +and locations. We divide the fourteen provinces into four groups. + + (_a_) Three on the Black Sea, beginning on the east. + 1.) =Pontus= (Acts 18. 2). 2.) =Paphlagonia.= 3.) + =Bithynia= (Peter 1. 1). + + (_b_) Three on the Ægean Sea, beginning on the north. + 4.) =Mysia= (Acts 16. 7). 5.) =Lydia.= 6.) =Caria.= + These three provinces together formed the district + known as "Asia" (Acts 2. 9; 19. 10). + + (_c_) Three on the Mediterranean Sea, beginning on the + west. 7.) =Lycia= (Acts 27. 5). 8.) =Pamphylia= (Acts + 13. 13). 9.) =Cilicia= (Acts 21. 39). + + (_d_) Five in the interior. 10.) On the north, + =Galatia= (Gal. 1. 2). 11.) On the east, =Cappadocia= + (Acts 2. 9). 12.) On the southeast, =Lycaonia= (Acts + 14. 6). 13.) On the southwest, =Pisidia= (Acts 13. + 14). 14.) On the west =Phrygia= (Acts 16. 6). + +IV. We notice the twelve most important =Places=. + +1. =Alexandria=, the commercial metropolis of Egypt (Acts 18. 24). + +2. =Jerusalem=, the religious capital of the Jewish world (Matt. 4. 5; +Luke 24. 47). + +3. =Cæsarea=, the Roman capital of Judea (Acts 10. 1; 23. 23, 24). + +4. =Damascus=, in the southern part of Syria (Acts 19. 3). + +5. =Antioch=, the capital of Syria, in the north (Acts 11. 26; 13. 1). + +6. =Tarsus=, the birthplace of St. Paul, in Cilicia (Acts 22. 3). + +7. =Ephesus=, the metropolis of Asia Minor, in the province of Lydia +(Acts 19. 1). + +8. =Philippi=, in Macedonia, where the gospel was first preached in +Europe (Acts 16. 12). + +9. =Thessalonica=, the principal city in Macedonia (Acts 17. 1; Thess 1. +1). + +10. =Athens=, the literary center of Greece (Acts 17. 16). + +11. =Corinth=, the political capital of Greece (Acts 18. 1-12). + +12. =Rome=, the imperial city (Acts 28. 16; Rom. 1. 7). + +Other lands and places are referred to as Elam, Parthia, and Media, all +east of the Euphrates river (Acts 2. 9). Ethiopia, south of Egypt in +Africa (Acts 8. 27), and Babylon on the Euphrates (1 Peter 5. 13); but +these places are outside the general history of the church. + + +Hints to the Teacher and Her Class. Eleventh Study + + In teaching this lesson let the conductor sketch the + outline of the map upon the board and drill upon the + seas; then draw and name the islands; then drill upon + the provinces, etc. Review until the lesson is learned + by all the class. + + The student should search all the references and be + able to state the events connected with each locality. + + It would be well for the student to find additional + Scripture references to all the localities. + + Let each student practice the drawing of the map at + home, until he can draw it without copy. Then, in + presence of the class, let one student draw on the + blackboard in presence of the class the boundary lines + of the continents; or one the boundary line in Asia; + another in Europe; and a third in Africa. Then let + another draw and name the islands; and others locate + and name the provinces in Asia, Europe, and Africa; + and finally let the twelve cities be located and + named. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Se.= Med. Gal. De. Bl. Æg. Adr. + + II. =Isl.= Cyp. Cre. Pat. Sic. Mel. + + III. =Prov.= 1. =Eur.= Thr. Mac. Gre. (Ach.) Ill. It. 2. =Afr.= + Af.-Pr. Lib. Eg. 3. =Asi.= Ar. Jud. Phoe. Syr. 4. =As. Min.= + (_a_) Pon. Paph. Bit. (_b_) Mys. Lyd. Car. (_c_) Lyc. Pam. Cil. + (_d_) Gal. Cap. Lyc. Pi. Ph. + + IV. =Pla.= Alex. Jer. Cæs. Dam. Ant. Tar. Eph. Phi. Thes. Ath. Cor. + Ro. + + +Questions for Review + + What difference is to be noted between the map of the + Old Testament world and that of the New? Name six seas + in the New Testament world. State the location of + each of these seas. Name five islands in the New + Testament world. Give the location of each island. + Name in order the provinces in Europe in the New + Testament world. Name the provinces in Africa. Name + the provinces in Asia, exclusive of Asia Minor. Name + the provinces of Asia Minor bordering on the Black + Sea. Name the provinces on the Ægean Sea. Name the + provinces on the Mediterranean Sea. Name and locate + each of the interior provinces. What city of the New + Testament world was in Africa? What cities were in + Judea and Syria? What cities were in Asia Minor? What + cities were in Europe? + + + + +TWELFTH STUDY + +The Synagogue + + +Before beginning the history of the Early Church, we must study one +institution which formed an important link between the Old Testament and +the New; and more than any other institution prepared the way for the +gospel throughout the Jewish world. That institution was the synagogue. + +I. =Its Origin.= The synagogue arose during the captivity, when the +Temple was in ruins and the sacrifices were in abeyance. In the land of +captivity the people of God met for worship and fellowship, and out of +their meeting grew the synagogue, a word meaning "a coming together." It +is believed that the institution was organized as a part of the Jewish +system by Ezra, B. C. 440. + +II. =Its Universality.= There was but one temple, standing on Mount +Moriah, and only those who journeyed thither could attend its services. +But the synagogue was in every place where the Jews dwelt, both in +Palestine and throughout the world. Wherever ten Jewish heads of +families could be found there a synagogue would be established. There +were four hundred and sixty synagogues in Jerusalem; and every +nationality of Jews had its own (Acts 6. 9). + +III. =The Place of Meeting.= This might be a building erected for the +purpose, or a hired room, or even a place in the open air (Acts 16. 13). +This meeting place was employed for secular as well as religious uses. +Courts were held in it, and sentence was administered (Acts 22. 19), and +sometimes a school for teaching the law was held in it. Thus the +synagogue became a center of local influence. + +IV. =Its Arrangement.= Every ancient synagogue contained: + +1. _An_ "_ark_," which was the chest for the sacred rolls, and stood in +the end of the building toward Jerusalem. + +2. _Chief seats_, elevated, near and around the "ark," for the elders +and leading men (Matt. 23. 6). + +3. A desk for the reader standing upon a platform. + +4. Places for the worshipers, carefully graded according to rank, the +Gentile visitors having seats near the door of entrance. + +5. A lattice gallery where women could worship without being seen. + +V. =Its Officers.= These were: + +1. Three _rulers of the synagogue_, who directed the worship, managed +the business details, and possessed a limited judicial authority over +the Jews in the district (Mark 4. 22; Acts 13. 15). One of these was the +presiding officer, and called "_the_ ruler." + +2. The _chazzan_ (Luke 4. 20, "the minister"), who united the functions +of clerk, schoolmaster, sexton, and constable to administer sentence on +offenders. + +3. The _batlanim_, "men of ease," seven men who were chosen to act as a +legal congregation, were pledged to be present at the regular services, +and sometimes received a small fee for being present. + +VI. =Its Services.= These were held on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday, +and were conducted by the members in turn, several taking part in each +service. They consisted of: + +1. Forms of prayer, conducted by a leader, with the responses by the +worshipers. + +2. Reading of selections from the law and the prophets, according to an +appointed order (Acts 15. 21). The reading was in Hebrew, but it was +translated, verse by verse, into the language of the people, whether +Greek or Aramaic. + +3. Exposition or comment upon the Scripture, in which any member might +take part (Luke 4. 20, 21; Acts 13. 15, 16). + +VII. =Its Influence.= It is easy to perceive how widely and how +powerfully the results of such an institution would reach. + +1. It perpetuated the worship of God and united the worshipers. + +2. It supplied a more thoughtful and spiritual worship than the +elaborate ritual of the Temple. + +3. It promoted the study of the Old Testament Scriptures and made them +thoroughly familiar to every Jew. + +4. It attracted the devout and intelligent among the Gentiles, many of +whom became worshipers of God and were known as "proselytes of the gate" +(Acts 10. 1, 2). + +VIII. =Its Preparation for the Gospel.= It is evident that the apostles +and early Christian teachers were greatly aided by the synagogue. + +1. It furnished a _place_; for everywhere the church began in the +synagogue, even though it soon left it (Acts 13. 5; 18. 4; 19. 8). + +2. It prepared a _people_; for the synagogue was attended by the earnest +and thoughtful, both of Jews and Gentiles, who were thus made ready for +the higher truths of the gospel (Acts 13. 42, 43). + +3. It supplied a _plan of service_; for it is evident that the early +Christian worship was modeled, not on the ritual of the Temple, but on +the simpler forms of the synagogue. + +4. It gave a _system of organization_; for the Government of the early +church was similar to, and doubtless suggested by, that of the +synagogue. + + +Blackboard Outline + + I. =Ori.= Cap. Ez. B. C. 440. + + II. =Univ.= 10 fam. 460 Jer. + + III. =Pl. Meet.= Buil. ro. op. air. sec. us. + + IV. =Arr.= 1. Ark. 2. Ch. sea. 3. Desk. 4. Pla. wor. 5. Gal. + + V. =Off.= 1. Rul. 2. Chaz. 3. Batl. + + VI. =Serv.= 1. Pr. 2. Read. Ser. 3. Exp. + + VII. =Inf.= 1. Per. wor. 2. Spir. wor. 3. St. O. T. 4. Attr. Gen. + + VIII. =Prep. Gosp.= 1. Pla. 2. Peo. 3. Ser. 4. Org. + + +Review Questions + + Between what two institutions was the synagogue a link + of connection? How did the synagogue originate? Who + gave it definite organization? Wherein did it differ + from the temple and its services? Where were + synagogues formed? How many were in Jerusalem? What + buildings and places were used for the synagogue + service? To what secular uses were these buildings + put? What were the arrangements of the synagogue? + Where did the women worship? What was "the ark" in the + synagogue? Who were the officers? What was the + _chazzan_? Who were the _batlanim_? What were the + services of the synagogue? What influence did the + synagogue exert? Whom did the synagogue benefit + outside of the Jews? How did the synagogue prepare the + way for the gospel? + + + + +THIRTEENTH STUDY + +The Church in Judea + + +PART ONE + +From the Ascension of Christ A. D. 30, to the Appointment of the Seven +A. D. 35. + +We now enter upon the second great subject in New Testament history, the +Early Church. This will include the annals of the church from the +Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the end of the apostolic age, A. D. +100. This epoch of seventy years is divided into four periods: + +1. _The church in Judea_, from the Ascension of Christ, A. D. 30, to the +Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35. + +2. _The church in Transition_, from the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. +35, to the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50. + +3. _The church among the Gentiles_, from the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. +50, to the death of St. Paul, A. D. 68. + +4. _The End of the Age_, from the death of St. Paul to the death of St. +John, about A. D. 100. It should be noted that all of these dates are +uncertain and historians are not agreed with reference to them. + +Of these four periods we take up the first, the church in Judea, or "The +church of the First Days;" a space of about five years. During this time +the work of the church was confined wholly to the Jewish people, and +apparently to the immediate region of Jerusalem. + +I. We notice the =Events of this Period=. + +1. =The followers of Christ= immediately after the Ascension; a company +of people believing in Jesus as the Messiah of Israel. + + 1.) _Their number_ was 120 (Acts 1. 15). They were + mostly from Galilee (Acts 2. 7). They were all the + organized church at that time, although throughout the + land were thousands more ready to unite with them. + + 2.) _Their meeting place_ was "the upper room" (Acts + 1. 13), on Mount Zion, probably the room where the + "Last Supper" was held. Some think that this may have + been the house of Mary the mother of Mark, referred to + in Acts 12. 1, 2. + + 3.) _Their religious condition_ between the Ascension + and Pentecost was probably that of belief in Jesus as + the King of Israel, but with the conception of an + earthly kingdom (Acts 1. 6). They were waiting with + prayer for divine direction (Acts 1. 14). + +2. =The Outpouring of the Spirit= came upon this company on the day of +Pentecost, ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after the +Crucifixion. The spirit descended upon them all in the form of "tongues +of fire." + +1.) _Physical effect._ This was "the gift of tongues," a mysterious +influence (Acts 2. 2, 3). This was not a power to speak foreign +languages at will; but probably a strange divine speech, sounding to +everyone who heard it as though it were the language of his own people +(Acts 2. 8). + +2.) _Mental effect._ There came to these disciples a revelation, once +and for all, of Christ's kingdom, not as a political state, but as a +spiritual institution; a society of believers of which Jesus in glory is +the invisible yet real head. + +3.) _Spiritual effect._ This was the personal presence of the Holy +Spirit with each member; an indwelling life given not merely to the +apostles, but to each and every disciple; a divine enthusiasm, giving +guidance, enlightenment, power. Nor was that divine life limited to that +company. It has dwelt ever since in the church of Christ, and in each +member of the church, (1 Cor. 3. 16; 6. 19). + +3. =The Testimony of the Gospel.= 1.) The first effect of this new +endowment of the Holy Spirit was a strong testimony to the gospel of +Christ; a proclamation of _Jesus as the Messiah King_; and this +testimony was the conquering weapon of the church. 2.) This testimony +was given by _all_ the members. It is a mistake to suppose that the +church settled down in Jerusalem with Peter as its pastor and preacher. +Peter was the leader, but not the ruler of the church. Find four +addresses of Peter sketched in Acts 2-5; not "sermons" after the modern +method, but ardent declarations of Jesus as the Messiah; and similar +testimonies were given by all the members everywhere, in synagogues, in +houses, publicly and privately. + +4. =The Apostolic Miracles.= 1.) At the opening of the history of the +church we read of a _number of miracles_. a) A lame man healed. (Acts 3. +1-10). b) A miracle of judgment (Acts 5. 1-10). c) More miracles of +healing (Acts 5. 12-16). 2.) We can see the _purpose of these_ miracles +and how they were needed by the church in the day of its weakness. (a) +They attracted _attention_ to the gospel. (b) They gave _authority_ to +the apostles as teachers. (c) They were _illustrations_ of the spiritual +work of the gospel; i. e., healing of the lame man a type of salvation. + +5. =The Persecution of the Apostles.= It was inevitable that the +preaching of the apostles and the growing prominence of the church +should arouse opposition from the men who a few months before had +crucified Jesus. A persecution was begun, at first upon Peter and John, +then upon all the apostles. It was not sharp, murderous, crushing out +the church. The apostles were first threatened (Acts 4. 17), then +imprisoned (Acts 5. 18), then scourged (Acts 5. 40). The persecution +only attracted greater notice to the gospel, and led to increasing +numbers of believers. + +6. =The Growth of the Church= went on through all these experiences. +Beginning with 120, on the day of Pentecost 3,000 were received by +baptism (Acts 2. 41). There was a daily growth after (Acts 2. 47). Soon +the number grew to 5,000, besides women and children (Acts 4. 4). +Another increase is named in Acts 5. 14; also again in Acts 6. 7. + +7. The last event in this period was =the Appointment of the Seven=. +Read the account in Acts 6. 1-7. Notice for the first time in this +history a reference to the two great classes of Jews. 1.) _Hebrews_, +Jews whose ancestors had lived in Palestine, and who spoke the Hebrew +tongue, though with Syriac admixture. 2.) _Grecian Jews_ (frequently +called Hellenists). Jews descended from exiles who had remained abroad +in foreign lands, otherwise "Jews of the Dispersion." Everywhere except +in Palestine these foreign Jews were far more numerous than the Hebrews, +and they were also the richer and more intelligent. They spoke the Greek +language. + +Note also that the seven men named in this account are nowhere spoken of +as "deacons." From Acts 21. 8 we learn that they were called "the +seven." They were not an order in the church, but a committee appointed +for a service. + + +Blackboard Outline + + Per. 1. Ch. Jud. 2. Ch. Trans. 3. Ch. am. Gen. 4. E. A. + + =Ch. in Jud.= 1. =Ev. Per.= + 1. =Foll. Ch.= 1.) Num. 2.) Meet-pl. 3.) Rel. Con. + 2. =Out Sp.= 1.) Phys. eff. 2.) Men. eff. 3.) Spir. eff. + 3. =Tes. Gosp.= 1.) Jes. Mess. K. 2.) By all. + 4. =Ap. Mir.= 1.) Num. mir. 2.) Pur. Att. Auth. Illus. + 5. =Per. Ap.= + 6. =Gro. Ch.= 120, 3,000, 5,000. "Multitude." + 7. =App. Sev.= Heb. Gre. (Hellen.) + + +Review Questions. Part One + + How long a period is embraced in the history of the + New Testament church? Name four periods in the + history, and the events with which each begins and + ends. How long a time is embraced in the first period? + By what name is the first period called? State in + order the seven events in the first period. What was + the number of Christ's followers in Jerusalem + immediately after his Ascension? Where did they meet? + What was their religious condition? What took place + ten days after the Ascension of Christ? On what day + did this outpouring occur? What were the physical + effects of this outpouring? What were the mental + effects? What were the spiritual effects? What + testimony was given by the apostles and church? How + many addresses of Peter at this time are mentioned? + What miracles were wrought? How did these miracles + benefit the church? What persecution arose? What was + the nature of this persecution? Against whom was it + directed? Did it harm the church? What is said of the + growth of the church during this epoch? Who were "the + seven"? How were they chosen? For what were they + appointed? What two classes of Jesus are named? Define + each class. + + +PART TWO + +II. Having studied the history we now look at the =General Aspects of +the Pentecostal Church=. + +1. =Its locality=: entirely in Judea, and apparently in and around +Jerusalem. There is no mention during this early period of churches in +Galilee, although most of the earliest members were Galileans (Acts 1. +11; 2. 7). Individual believers doubtless were to be found throughout +the land, but outside of Jerusalem they were not yet gathered together +in assemblies and not yet endowed with the Spirit. + +2. =Its membership= was composed wholly of Jews. As yet not a single +Gentile had been received, and apparently there was no thought of +Gentile believers. Christianity began as a Jewish society. Three classes +of Jews were embraced in its membership: 1.) _Hebrews_, or Palestinian +Jews. 2.) _Grecians_ or Hellenists, Jews of the Dispersion. 3.) +_Proselytes_, or Gentiles who had embraced Judaism and received +circumcision (Acts 6. 5). + +3. =The qualifications for membership= were: 1.) _Repentance_, which +meant not so much sorrow as decision for Christ. 2.) _Faith in Jesus_ as +Christ; i. e., submission to Jesus as the true King of Israel. 3.) +_Baptism_ in the name of Jesus the Christ as the outward form of +consecration. + +4. =The spirit of the Pentecostal Church.= 1.) In theory, and for the +most part in fact, every member _possessed the Holy Spirit_, an +abounding, directing spiritual life. Every member was conscious of the +immediate presence of God, and lived in this fellowship. 2.) This +inspired a _Christian fellowship_, the love of the brotherhood. 3.) As a +result of this divine and human fellowship came _liberal giving_ to each +other's needs. There was a voluntary and limited "community of goods," +the rich giving freely to aid the poor; which led to some insincere +imitation. See the contrast of Barnabas and Ananias (Acts 4. 34-37; 5. +1-11). + +5. =Doctrines.= The doctrinal aspects of Christianity at that early +period were less prominent than its spirit. As yet there was no such +theological system as arose later. Three great doctrines were held +fervently: 1.) _The resurrection of Jesus_; that he had risen and was +living. 2.) _The Messiahship of Jesus_; that he was the prince of the +true spiritual kingdom of Israel. 3.) _The return of Jesus as Christ_; +that he would soon come again to earth. + +6. =Worship and institutions.= These were: 1.) _The temple worship_ +attended by the disciples of Christ as by all worshiping Jews (Acts 2. +46; 3. 1). 2.) _The synagogue services_, twice each week; held +everywhere throughout the city; with Scripture reading, prayer and +testimony. 3.) "_The upper room_" was for a time the headquarters of the +church; but Solomon's porch in the temple soon took its place (Acts 5. +12). 4.) "Breaking bread," which was the Holy Communion or the Lord's +Supper; at that time observed not in public assemblies but as a family +ordinance, at home (Acts 2. 42, 46). 5.) _The baptism_ of new members. + +7. =Government.= Scarcely any government or discipline was needed in a +church where the Spirit of God was recognized as dwelling in each +member. The apostles were revered as leaders, but were not exactly +rulers over the body of believers. "The Seven" (Acts 6. 3) were not +officials or "deacons," but laymen charged with specific duties. + +8. =Literature.= 1.) _The Old Testament_; familiar to all, read in the +synagogue, was seen now in a new light and with new meaning. 2.) _The +teachings of Jesus_, as yet unwritten, were in the memory of most of the +members who had heard his words; and especially in the memory of the +apostles; but no books of the New Testament were by this time in +writing. + +9. =Leaders of the church.= 1.) Throughout this period _Peter_ stands at +the front as the ruling spirit of the church, by his endowments of mind, +and especially by his promptness in word and act. 2.) With him stands +_John_ (Acts 3. 1; 4. 19). 3.) _Barnabas_ won notice by his liberality +and gifts of preaching (Acts 4. 36, 37). His name means "the speaker" or +"the preacher." 4.) At the end of the period _Stephen_ comes into +notice. + + +Blackboard Outline + + II. =Gen. Asp. Pen. Ch.= + 1. =Loc.= Jud. Jer. + 2. =Mem.= Jews. 1.) Heb. 2.) Gre. Hel. 3.) Pros. + 3. =Qual. Mem.= 1.) Rep. 2.) Fai. 3.) Bap. + 4. =Spir.= 1.) Poss. H. S. 2.) Chr. fell. 3.) Lib. giv. + 5. =Doc.= 1.) Res. Jes. 2.) Mess. Jes. 3.) Ret. Jes. + 6. =Worsh. and Inst.= 1.) Tem. 2.) Syn. 3.) "Up. ro" 4.) "Bre. + br." 5.) Bap. + 7. =Gov.= Sp. Apos. Sev. + 8. =Lit.= 1.) O. T. 2.) Tea. Jes. + 9. =Lead.= 1.) Pet. 2.) Jo. 3.) Bar. 4.) Ste. + + +Review Questions. Part Two + + Where was the church located during the Pentecostal + period? Were there churches or members in Galilee? To + what race did all the members belong? What were the + three classes in its membership? Who were Hebrews? Who + were Grecians? By what other name were they called? + Who were the "proselytes"? What were the requisites + for membership in the church? What is said of the + spirit of this church? How did this spirit lead the + members to regard each other? What is said of their + gifts to each other? Were doctrines made prominent in + the church? What three doctrines were held by the + members? What institutions of worship were maintained? + What other institutions were observed? What is meant + by "breaking bread"? Where was this service held? What + is said as to the government of the church? What was + the position of the apostles? What were "the seven"? + What literature did the church possess at this time? + What knowledge did they have of the teachings of + Jesus? Who were the leaders of the church in this + period? + + + + +FOURTEENTH STUDY + +The Church in Transition + +From the Appointment of the Seven, A. D. 35, to the Council at +Jerusalem, A. D. 50. + + +We enter upon the study of a brief period, only fifteen years, but of +supreme importance and of vast results to the world; a period, too, in +which we have the deepest interest, for if its events had never taken +place Christianity would have been only a Jewish sect and we would not +be members of it. + +1. At its opening, 35 A. D., the church was in and around Jerusalem +only; and every member was a Jew, bound by the restrictions of the +Jewish law and ceremony. There was no thought that the church would ever +include Gentiles except as Gentiles might first become proselytes to +Judaism. + +2. At its close, 50 A. D., we see a church planted all around the +northeastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea; and, what is even more +remarkable, a church wherein Jews and Gentiles were worshiping together +on terms of equality. A wonderful transition this! + +I. Let us draw =the Map of the Lands= occupied by the church during +those fifteen years. 1. Draw the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea. 2. +The island of Cyprus. 3. The lands east of the Mediterranean Sea. Judea +(or Palestine), Syria, Phoenicia. 4. The lands north of the +Mediterranean Sea, in Asia Minor, Cilicia, Pamphylia, Pisidia, Lycaonia. +5. The places: Jerusalem, Joppa, Cæsarea and Samaria in Judea, Damascus +and Antioch in Syria, Tarsus in Cilicia, Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and +Derbe in Lycaonia. + +II. Let us carefully note the =Progress of Events= in this remarkable +evolution of the church. + +1. =The Preaching of Stephen.= Stephen was a Hellenist, or a Jew of +foreign origin. He was the man who first had the vision of a church +wider than the bounds of Judaism; and he proclaimed this great truth. +See evidences of this in: + + 1.) The new and bitter _enmity_ which his teaching + aroused (Acts 6. 12). + + 2.) The _accusation_ against him, which contained a + half truth (Acts 6. 11, 13, 14). + + 3.) The _prominence_ of the man, and his discourse, + the longest public discourse reported in the New + Testament, except the Sermon on the Mount (Acts 7. + 1-53). + + 4.) The _logical aim_ of his address: to show that the + Jews had shown themselves unworthy of their trust, + implying that it would be given to others. This sermon + was never finished, being broken up by the riotous + acts of the council. + +2. =Saul's Persecution= (Acts 8. 1-3). We shall study this man's early +history later. (See page 96). He was intense and furious in his loyalty +to Judaism, and undertook to crush out the gospel of Christ by violent +measures. See Acts 22. 4; 26. 10, 11; Gal. 1. 13. 1.) As a result the +Pentecostal church was broken up and its members were scattered. 2.) +But, as another effect, these disciples who were scattered went +everywhere preaching (Acts 8. 4). These "preachers" were not the +apostles; they were lay-members; not delivering sermons, but testifying +in country synagogues and in homes the gospel of Christ. 3.) Another +result followed, churches sprang up throughout Judea (Acts 9. 31), +Samaria (Acts 8. 14), and Syria (Acts 9. 2, 10; Acts 11. 19). Thus Saul +by his persecution unconsciously aided the spread of the gospel. + +3. =The Gospel in Samaria= (Acts 8. 5-8). One of these disciples, Philip +(not the apostle, but one of the "seven" Acts 6. 5), went to Samaria, +and there preached with great success. A significant event, showing +breadth of view and victory over prejudice. See John 4. 9. The +Samaritans were regarded, not exactly as Gentiles, but as irregular and +inferior, and despised even more than Gentiles. Still more significant, +the Samaritan church was recognized by the apostles and received the +gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8. 14-17). Note also that, after his work +in Samaria, Philip went down to the coast and established a chain of +churches from Azotus to Cæsarea (Acts 8. 40). + +4. =Peter's Vision= (Acts 10. 1-48), and the events accompanying it, was +the next step in the forward movement of the church. The leading apostle +and most prominent man in the church, under direction of the Spirit, +journeys thirty miles to preach to a little company of Gentiles; the +Spirit falls upon them, another Pentecost; and Peter baptizes them. +Here, then, is a genuine church of Gentiles founded by an apostle; the +first fruits of a great harvest. + +5. The next step is even more momentous in its results, =the Conversion +of Saul= (Acts 9. 1-19). It seems to be a sudden conversion, but one +expression (Acts 9. 5) shows that Saul had been struggling against +conviction. His enmity had not been so greatly against "Jesus as Christ" +as against "Christ for all the world" i. e., the gospel as preached by +Stephen; and when converted he went fully over to Stephen's view, and +became Stephen's successor, with even larger vision. Note the order of +events in Saul's early ministry. 1.) Preaching in Damascus (Acts 9. +20-22). 2.) Retirement to Arabia (Gal. 1. 17). This may mean almost +anywhere to the east or south of Palestine. In our opinion, he went +thither not to meditate nor to study theology, but to preach in the +cities between Palestine and the desert. 3.) Again preaching in Damascus +(Gal. 1. 17). His escape (Acts 9. 23-25). 4.) Visit to Jerusalem (Acts +9. 26-28). Whom he met on this visit (Gal. 1. 8, 19). The event which +led to his departure from Jerusalem (Acts 22. 17-21). 5.) His return to +his birthplace (Acts 9. 29, 30. Gal. 1. 21). Let the student draw on the +map all the journeys of Saul, beginning with his journey from Jerusalem +to Damascus before his conversion. + +VI. =The Church at Antioch.= (Acts 11. 19-30). Antioch was the third +city of the Roman empire; capital of Syria, of which Judea was a +dependency. Its many Jews had their synagogues, each with its "court of +the Gentiles," where the Gentile worshipers sat during the services. In +the story of this church note 1.) Its unnamed founders (Acts 11. 19). +2.) Its membership of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 11. 20). See American +Revised Version. 3.) Its prominence (Acts 11. 22-26). 4.) Its liberality +(Acts 11. 27-30). 5.) Some of its workers (Acts 13. 1). 6.) Note how +Saul came to be associated with this church (Acts 11. 25, 26). + +VII. =The First Missionary Journey= (Acts 13. 1-4). Another step in +advance was taken when two missionaries went out to plant churches of +both Jews and Gentiles. 1.) They were called by the Holy Spirit (ver. +2). 2.) Approved by the church (Ver. 3). 3.) Their method; whenever +possible beginning with the synagogue, where they would have access both +to devout Jews and devout Gentiles (Acts 13. 5). 4.) The lands visited. +Cyprus (Acts 13. 4-6). Pisidia (Acts 13. 14). Lycaonia (Acts 14. 6). On +the return journey, Pamphylia (Acts 14. 24, 25). Let the student draw +the maps showing the lands and places, and the route of the journey. One +province in the southern tier was left unvisited, Cilicia, because Paul +had already preached there (Gal. 1. 21-23). + +[Illustration] + +VIII. =The Council at Jerusalem= (Acts 15). Of course such a spread of +the gospel among the Gentiles would be very unwelcome to narrow Jewish +believers. Their complaint and demand (Acts 15. 1, 2). Who attended the +Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15. 2-4). Who took prominent part in it +(Acts 15. 7, 13). The conclusion of the Council (Acts 15. 27-29). + +The great question was now settled. Jews and Gentiles were standing at +last on equality in the church, and the great transition from a Jewish +church to a church for all the world was accomplished. + + +Hints to the Teacher and the Student + + 1. Read carefully in the book of Acts from the 8th to + the 15th chapter, inclusive. + + 2. Draw the map first from copy, then without copy; + not seeking for accuracy, but aiming rather for + correct relation of the lands to each other. + + 3. Study each section of the lesson; look up every + reference, and note its relation to the general + subject. Master the eight points in the outline + thoroughly. + + 4. Draw on the map (or, better, on a series of maps) + the following journeys: 1.) Philip's journeys. Acts 8. + 2.) Peter's journeys. Acts 8 and 10. 3.) Saul's early + journeys. 4.) The journey of Saul and Barnabas. 5.) + The journeys in connection with the council at + Jerusalem, going and returning. + + 5. Let the teacher call upon the scholars to tell as a + story each of the eight points in the lesson, not from + the text-book but from the book of Acts; each story by + a student in turn. + + +Blackboard Outline + + =Ch. in Trans.= 1.) Op. 2.) Clo. + I. =Map.= Lands. Cy. Ju. Syr. Ph. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lyc. Places. Jer. + Jop. Cæs. Dam. Ant. Tar. An (Pi) Lys. Der. + + II. =Prog. of Ev.= 1. =Pre. Ste.= 1.) En. 2.) Acc. 3.) Prom. + 4.) Log. ai. + 2. =Sau. Per.= Res. 1.) Pen. Ch. bro. up. 2.) Dis. everyw. prea. + 3.) Chur. spr. up. + 3. =Gosp. in Sam.= Phil. + 4. =Pet. Vis.= Pet. and Corn. + 5. =Conv. Sau.= Sau. ear. Min. 1.) Dam. 2.) Ara. 3.) Dam. + 4.) Jeru. 5.) Tar. + 6. =Ch. at. Ant.= 1.) Foun. 2.) Mem. 3.) Prom. 4.) Lib. + 5.) Work. 6.) Sau. asso. + 7. =Fir. Miss. Jour.= 1.) Cal. 2.) App. 3.) Meth. 4.) Lands. + C. P. L. P. + 8. =Coun. at Jer.= + + +Review Questions + + With what events did the period of transition begin + and end? How long was it? What was the state of the + church when it opened? What was the state of the + church when it closed? Name an island and seven lands + connected with this period. Name ten places connected + with the period. State the eight great events in the + history of the church at this time. What preacher + introduced this epoch? How do we know that he preached + salvation for the Gentiles? What man's persecution at + this time proved a help to the church? Tell the story + of this persecution. What three results followed it? + Who formed the church in Samaria? Who were the + Samaritans? How was the church recognized? Tell the + story of a remarkable vision on a housetop. To what + did that vision lead? Tell the story of a persecutor's + conversion to Christ. Where did this conversion take + place? What were the events in Saul's life that + followed this conversion? What important church arose + in Syria? Who were its founders? Who constituted its + membership? Who were its leaders? What facts showed + its prominence and influence? How came Saul to be + associated with this church? Who went out as + missionaries? Who went with them as helper? What + became of this young man? What was their method of + work? What lands did they visit? In what cities did + they found churches? What led to the council at + Jerusalem? Who attended the council? Who spoke in it? + What were its conclusions? How did this end the period + of transition in the church? + + + + +FIFTEENTH STUDY + +The Church Twenty Years After the Ascension + + +We have now studied the two earliest periods in the history of the +Christian church and have come to the year 50 A. D., twenty years after +the Ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit on the first +Pentecost. Let us look over the field and see what at that time was the +state of the church. + +I. =Its Extent.= Let the student draw again the map given with the last +lesson, and locate upon it the following =lands=: 1. Judea (Palestine). +2. Syria. 3. Phoenicia. 4. Cyprus. 5. Cilicia. 6. Pamphylia. 7. Pisidia. +8. Lycaonia. In all these lands churches were established and at work. + +II. =Its Membership.= The members of the church consisted of two classes +of people, widely apart by nature, but brought together by the gospel: + +1. There were churches where all the members were =Jews=, as in Judea. +These were all faithful to the regulations of the Jewish ceremonial law, +and many of them almost bigoted in their opinions concerning it (Acts +15. 1, 5). + +2. There were other churches, as in Lycaonia, where all or nearly all +the members were =Gentiles= (Acts 14. 6-13). In these the Jewish rules +were unrecognized, almost unknown. + +3. Between these two extremes was the great body of churches of =both +Jews and Gentiles=. The two classes worshiped together; Jews remaining +Jews, and Gentiles remaining Gentiles; but probably received the Lord's +Supper apart, as it was as yet a house-service, not held at the public +meetings. + +4. While in most churches there was harmony, on both sides there were +some radical members; but especially among the Jews. These were the +=Judaizers=; men who sought to compel all the disciples to receive +circumcision, obey the ceremonial law and make the Christian church +subordinate to Jewish ritualism. These were the enemies of Paul to the +end of his ministry, perverting the Gentile churches and opposing the +apostle's work. + +III. =Its Leaders.= Three names stand out prominently at this time: 1. +=Paul=, as the leader of the church in its world-wide plans, the apostle +to the Gentiles (Gal. 2. 7). 2. =James=, as leader of the Jewish but not +Judaizing elements (Acts 13. 13, 19). This was not James the apostle, +for he had been put to death some time before this (Acts 12. 2); but +James "the brother of the Lord" (Gal. 1. 19). He was the head of the +church in Jerusalem and author of the Epistle of James. 3. =Peter=, who +stood in friendly relation to both parties in the church, although his +conduct was not always perfectly consistent with regard to Jewish +regulations (Acts 11. 2, 3; Gal. 2. 11-14). Between these three leaders +there was a clear understanding and no strong division of spirit, +although they might not agree in all points. 4. Other leaders in this +period were =Philip= (Acts 8. 40; 21. 8). =Barnabas=, =Silas= of +Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 15. 22, 32, 40), and =Titus= (Gal. 2. 1-4). + +IV. =Its Government.= In our time the church is often a highly wrought +organization, with articles of faith, orders, and officials of various +grades. We are apt to assume such a condition in the early church. But +at the time of which we speak there was very little organization or +machinery; and there was little need of any, for a special reason: +_Every member was under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit_, living +in fellowship with God, without mediation of priest or church. Yet we +find certain officers named in the church: + +1. =Apostles=, originally "the twelve," but changes arose and others +were called by the title, for example, Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14. 14); +James (Gal. 1. 19). The work of the apostles was not primarily +government, but inspired testimony to Jesus as the Christ (Acts 1. 22; +6. 4); nowhere in Acts are the apostles represented as ruling the church +(Acts 15. 6, 22). + +2. =Elders= (Acts 11. 30; 14. 23; 15. 4). These were analogous to the +same officers in the synagogue, from which the plan of the local +churches was taken. + +3. =Prophets= (Acts 11. 27, 28; Acts 13. 1; Acts 15. 32). Men who spoke +out of direct fellowship with the Lord, and under inspiration of the +Spirit; sometimes, though not always, giving predictions of future +events. + +4. =Teachers= (Acts 13. 1). Men who gave instruction in the Christian +character; probably largely from recollection or knowledge of the +teaching of Christ. The difference between "prophesy" and "teaching" was +that the former was the more spontaneous and the latter the more +educative in the principles of the gospel. + +V. =Its Doctrinal Views.= These remained substantially as in the first +period. There was little tendency toward intellectual questionings while +the church remained under Jewish influence. The discussion was rather +regarding Jewish ceremonial regulations. The Messiahship, Resurrection +and Return of Jesus were still the prominent teaching of the period. + +VI. =Its Moral Standards.= The church is now face to face with the +heathen world and all its abominable vices. Heathen moralists +continually made excuse for the immorality which was so generally +practiced. But Christianity made no compromise; set forth the high +standard of the gospel, with the character of Christ as its ideal. This +high standard unswervingly maintained was one secret of the church's +power and growth. Notice, a little later than this period, in St. Paul's +writings, the strong ethical spirit. + +VII. =Its Meeting-places.= As yet "churches" or buildings for worship +were not erected. The disciples met with the Jews in the synagogue or +established synagogues of their own (James 2. 2). Often they met, even +later than this period, in the upper rooms of private houses (Acts 20. +8; Rom. 16. 3-5; Philem. 2). + +VIII. =Its Literature.= This was still the =Old Testament= only; no book +of the New Testament having been written as early as 50 A. D. These +writings were familiar to all the Jewish members, and almost equally +familiar to the Gentiles who attended the synagogue. Was there an "oral +gospel" in existence? Probably not in any set, authorized form; but +repeated as the narration of teachings and works of Jesus. The tendency +would naturally be for these teachings to settle into a few accepted +forms or "gospels." + +IX. Wherein did =the Unity of the Church= consist? Not in organization, +nor government, nor doctrinal statement; but in a =common spiritual +life=. They were of one heart and one mind, loved each other, +contributed to each other's needs (Acts 11. 29; Gal. 2. 10), visited +each other's churches (Acts 11. 22, 27, 30; 13. 25; 15. 27, 32). This +was, and is, true church unity. + + +Blackboard Outline + + =Ch. 20 Ye. af. Asc.= + + I. =Ext.= Ja. Sy. Ph. Cy. Cil. Pam. Pi. Lyc. + + II. =Mem.= 1. Je. 2. Gen. 3. Both J. and G. 4. "Judai." + + III. =Lead.= 1. Pau. 2. Jam. 3. Pet. 4. Phi. 5. Bar. + 6. Sil. 7. Tit. + + IV. =Gov.= (Dir. Guid. H. S). 1. Aps. 2. El. 3. Pro. 4. Tea. + + V. =Doc. Vie.= Mes. Res. Ret. Jes. + + VI. =Mor. Stan.= "No comp." + + VII. =Meet. Pla.= Syn. "Up. roo." + + VIII. =Lit.= O. T. "Or. gosp." + + IX. =Uni.= Com. spir. lif. + + +Review Questions + + What stage in the church's progress do we now + consider? In what lands was the church established at + this time? What two classes of people constituted its + membership? How did these two classes worship + together? What service was observed in the homes of + members? Who were the Judaizers? What harm did they + do? Name the three great leaders at this time. Who was + James? Give an instance when Peter was not entirely + consistent in his conduct. Name four other leaders and + a fact about each. Why did the church of that time + need very little government? Name four kinds of + officers in the church. What was the special work of + the apostles? Where did the elders originate? With + what churches are elders named in this period? What + were the prophets in the church? Name some who are + called prophets in this period. What was the work of + teachers in the church? Were doctrinal studies or + discussions prominent at this time? What were the + three prominent doctrines of the church? Why do the + moral standards of the church come into prominence at + this time? What were those standards? Where did the + Christians hold their meetings? What was the + literature of the church at this time? What do you + understand by "the oral gospel?" Was such a gospel in + existence? Wherein did the unity of the church + consist? How was this unity shown? + + + + +SIXTEENTH STUDY + +The Preparation of Paul for his Work + + +PART ONE + +Before we enter upon the study of "The church among the Gentiles," our +next period, there is a preliminary topic to be considered. The only +record which we possess of the period before us, the Book of Acts, not +only represents Paul as the leading worker for the gospel, but it even +omits all reports of the work of other apostles and evangelists. There +must have been other workers: Peter, Barnabas, Philip, and other workers +were still living, and must have been active in founding churches; but +their work is not mentioned. We find mention of churches which Paul had +not founded (Acts 21. 3, 7; Acts 28. 13, 14, 15). Paul stands before us +as the leading and the typical worker in the gospel. We will therefore +take for our theme, =The Preparation and Methods of Paul=. + +At A. D. 50 Paul is now at Antioch, about fifty years old, having been +born probably about four years after Jesus Christ. His first missionary +journey has taken place, and he is now about to enter upon his second +missionary journey. Let us notice some of his advantages for leadership +in the gospel. + +I. He was =a Jew=. (See Phil. 3. 5; Rom. 11. 1). The leader in this +movement must be a Jew. 1. Because as a Jew he would have a _training_ +in Bible knowledge, and in the _faith_ of a coming Messiah such as no +Gentile could possess. 2. Moreover the work in nearly all places must +begin in the synagogue. (See Acts 17. 1; 2. 10; 18. 1, 4; 19. 1, 8). And +only a Jew could take part in its services. + +II. He was a =Trained and Recognized Rabbi=: an accredited teacher of +the law; "a college man" with the prestige of scholarship won in the +school of Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish master of that age (Acts 5. 34; +Acts 22. 3). Such a teacher would be welcome in any synagogue. In this +respect contrast Paul with Peter and the other apostles (Acts 4. 13). + +III. He was a =Hellenist=, or "Grecian Jew;" i. e., a Jew of the +Dispersion; by birth and environment broader than the Jews of Jerusalem, +who rarely came in contact with Gentiles. He was a traveler acquainted +with the world; spoke Greek as fluently as Hebrew, an absolute necessity +for preaching to Gentiles (Acts 21. 37, 40). He spoke to the Greek +philosophers in their own tongue and after their own manner. Contrast +Acts 17. 22 with Acts 22. 1. Tradition says that Peter, when at Rome, +used an interpreter in preaching to the church. Paul's ability to speak +at least two languages gave him a great advantage. + +IV. Another advantage was that he was by birth a =Roman Citizen= (Acts +16. 37. Acts 22. 25-28). This privilege, at that time rare among those +outside of Italy, gave the apostle safety, immunity from imprisonment by +the local rulers, and the right to a trial before a Roman judge, with +appeal to the emperor. James was put to death, and Peter thrown into +prison by King Herod (Acts 12. 2-4); but Paul was by his citizenship +undoubtedly saved more than once from torture and from death. + +V. He was a divinely-called =Apostle=. When he spoke it was with all the +fervor and authority of one who had seen the Lord and had received a +special command from the lips of the ascended Christ to bear testimony +to his gospel. His call came with his conversion (Acts 26. 12-19). He +claimed the authority of an apostle (Gal. 1. 1; 1 Cor. 9. 1). Notice +that in his letters Paul always places "apostles" before "prophets" +(Eph. 2. 20; 3. 5; 4. 11), as holding the higher office in the church. + +VI. He possessed rare =Natural Endowments= for his work. + +1. He was a man of _sympathy_, warm-hearted and tender; making strong +friendships, drawing men after him. Note how in every place he found +friends (Acts 19. 31; 20. 4; 27. 3, 43). + +2. He was a _preacher_ of power. He was a master of the art of public +speaking; and people would always listen to him with the deepest +interest (Acts 17. 22-31. Acts 22. 1-2. Acts 26. 1-26). + +3. He was a _theologian_. He saw the great truths of the gospel in +clearer light than any of his co-workers. Under the guidance of the +Spirit he formulated a system of doctrine (Gal. 1. 11, 12), which he +sometimes called "my gospel" (Rom. 2. 16; 2 Tim. 2. 8). This "gospel +according to Paul," presented in his great epistles, came to be the +theology of the church, and so remains. + +4. He possessed rare _tact_ in dealing with men; knew how to adapt his +methods to people of varied races and views. His manner of preaching at +Athens was very different from that in Jerusalem. Note 1 Cor. 9. 19-22. + +5. He was a _natural leader_ of men; ready to take responsibilities, +quick to decide, yet thoughtful of others. He possessed the ruling +spirit, yet was no imperious, self-willed man. People were as ready to +follow as he was to lead. + +6. He was a _tireless worker_; indomitable and undiscouraged, caring +little for hardship (2 Cor. 11. 23-28), although he seems to have been +delicate in health. See allusions 2 Cor. 12. 7-10. Gal. 4. 13. Notice +the field of his labors, in the middle of his ministry (Rom. 15. 19). +Notice too his plans for regions more distant (Rom. 15. 24). + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART ONE + + =Pau. Prep. & Meth.= + + I. =Je.= 1. Train. fai. 2. Part in Syn. + + II. =Trai. Rec. Rab.= Sch. of Gam. + + III. =Hell.= "Gre. J." Trav. Gre. Lang. + + IV. =Rom. cit.= + + V. =Apos.= + + VI. =Nat. Endow.= 1. Sym. 2. Pre. 3. Theol. 4. Tac. 5. Nat. + lead. 6. Tir. Work. + + +Review Questions + +PART ONE + + What prominence does the book of Acts give to Paul in + the period of the church among the Gentiles? How do we + know that there were other workers at that time? Name + some of these other workers. What churches are named + which could not have been founded by Paul? What was + Paul's age at the opening of this period? What were + some advantages which Paul possessed for his work? + What were the advantages of his birth and training as + a Jew? What education did he receive, and wherein was + it a help to him? To what great branch of the Jews did + Paul belong? How was this fact an advantage in his + work? Of what nation was he a citizen? Name instances + when this fact was of avail to Paul. With what + authority could Paul speak? Whence came this + authority? What were some of Paul's natural endowments + for his ministry? What does Paul mean by the + expression, "my gospel"? What showed his industry as a + worker? + + +PART TWO + +VII. We must also study Paul's =Methods of Work=. These were varied +greatly according to circumstances, but in them we may note certain +principles. + +1. _He took fellow workers_ with him. Notice his companions on his first +journey. Acts 13. 2-5. On his second journey. Acts 15. 40; 16. 1-3. What +other companion is indicated in the word "we" in Acts 16. 10? On his +third journey. Acts 19. 22, 29. Other companions on this journey. Acts +20. 4, 5. This method gave 1.) _Mutual encouragement_. Paul was social, +loved companionship; was sometimes melancholy when alone (Acts 17. 15, +16; 2 Cor. 2. 12, 13; 2 Cor. 7. 5, 6). 2.) _Power in co-operation_; two +can do much more than twice as much as one. 3.) There was also +_training_ for younger workers, whom Paul always took with him; e. g., +Mark, Timothy, and perhaps Titus. + +2. _He chose the cities_; and of these the largest and most important +centers of population. Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome. +Paul was, in training and tastes, a man of the city, not of the country. +He took great interest in men, but apparently none in nature. Contrast +Paul in this respect with Christ, most of whose illustrations were drawn +from nature. One result of Paul's choice of the cities was the wide and +rapid diffusion of the gospel. The cities became Christian long before +the country-places. The word "pagan" literally means "countryman," but +it came to mean a worshiper of idols. See the effect of Paul's two years +in Ephesus (Acts 19. 10). "The seven churches of Asia" (Rev. 1. 11) were +the outgrowth of Paul's work in Ephesus. + +3. _He supported himself by his trade._ His occupation. Acts 18. 3. +References to his self-support in different places. 1 Cor. 4. 12; 1 +Thess. 2. 9; Acts 20. 34; Paul's was a "self-supporting mission," +because there was no society to support him and he would not lay the +burden upon those just converted. But although he asked no +contributions, he accepted them when tendered. Phil. 4. 15; 16. 18. + +4. _He began in the synagogue._ In every large city there were Jewish +synagogues; and in these Paul could speak as an accepted Rabbi. Note how +constantly he made use of the synagogue. Acts 13. 4, 5. Acts 14. 1. Acts +17. 1. Acts 18. 4, 19. This method gave him access to the worshiping +Scripture-loving _Jews_, to whom he felt called to give the gospel first +(Rom. 1. 16). But it also gave him access to the thoughtful, serious +_Gentiles_ who were seeking after God; and from this class came many of +the early Christians. Notice that in Paul's opening address in Antioch +in Pisidia he addressed both these classes (Acts 13. 16). The synagogue +among the Jews of the dispersion was a great aid to the gospel. + +5. He formed _acquaintance with rulers_ and influential men in many +places; in so many that it cannot have been accidental, but must have +been a part of his plan. Examine the following references, and note +names and places: Acts 13. 7. Acts 17. 34. Rom. 16. 23. Acts 19. 31. +Acts 28. 7. These friendships were often of great service to Paul, +especially when opposed by his own people. + +6. _He used the pen_ as well as the voice. He wrote many letters, not so +much to spread the gospel as to strengthen and instruct the churches +which he had planted. A number of his letters to churches and to +individuals have been preserved; but it is evident that some have been +lost (1 Cor. 5. 9. Col. 4. 16). + +7. He strengthened his work by frequently _revisiting his churches_. +Notice a re-visitation on his first journey (Acts 14. 21). The same +churches visited again on his second journey (Acts 16. 1-4). Again on +his third journey he passed through the same places (Acts 19. 1). A +re-visitation of the European churches (Acts 20. 1, 2). + +VIII. Note, lastly, =Paul's Enemies=; those who throughout his journeys +opposed, fought, persecuted him. Almost everywhere his work stirred up +violent antagonisms. This came in different places from three sources: + +1. _The Jews_, whose opposition came not so much from his preaching +Jesus as the Messiah as from his willingness to receive Gentiles into +the church. He was regarded as breaking down the distinctions between +Jew and Gentile. Note instances of persecution from this source (Acts +13. 45, 50. Acts 14. 1, 2. Acts 14. 19. Acts 17. 5. Acts 21. 27). + +2. _The Judaizing Christians_; professed disciples who were opposed to +Gentile membership in the church (Acts 15. 1, 5. Acts 21. 20, 21. Phil. +1. 14-17). As the years passed the proportion of Jews to Gentiles in the +church became less and less, and this party diminished in power. + +3. _The Gentiles._ In only two places do we find persecution stirred up +against Paul by Gentiles without suggestion by Jews. Note the places and +circumstances in Acts 16. 16-24. Acts 19 23-30. In each instance private +interests caused the trouble. As yet there was no strife between +Christianity and the imperial government. But Paul saw the trials +impending, and not far distant, and he forewarned his churches of +sharper persecution soon to come (Thess. 2. 3-10. Acts 20. 29. Phil. 1. +28-30). + + +Blackboard Outline + +Part Two + + VII. =Pau. Meth. Wor.= 1. Fell. work. 2. Ch. cit. 3. Sup. by tra. + 4. Beg. syn. 5. Acq. w. ral. 6. Us. pen. 7. Rev. chu. + + VIII. =Pau. Ene.= 1. Je. 2. Jud. Chr. 3. Gen. + + +Review Questions. Part Two + + Name seven facts about Paul's methods of work in the + gospel. Who were his companions on his first, second, + and third journeys? What were the benefits of having + fellow-workers? Name some cities where Paul labored + longest. How is Paul contrasted in this respect with + Jesus Christ? What was the effect of beginning the + work in the great cities? How was Paul supported while + preaching? Why did he follow that plan? In what place + did Paul begin his work wherever possible? Whom did he + reach in that method? Name some rulers and influential + people in different places who were friends of Paul. + What use of the pen did Paul make in his ministry? + Show how he frequently revisited his churches. What + three classes of people were enemies of Paul in his + work? Name instances when the Jews opposed him. What + was their reason for their opposition? What opposition + did he meet from fellow-Christians? At what places was + he persecuted by Gentiles? What was the attitude of + the Roman government at that time toward Christianity? + + + + +SEVENTEENTH STUDY + +The Church among the Gentiles + +From the Council at Jerusalem, A. D. 50, To the Death of St. Paul, A. D. +68. + + +PART ONE + +The history of this period of eighteen years, as contained in the book +of Acts, is limited to the labors of St. Paul, who was pre-eminently the +apostle to the Gentiles (2 Tim. 1. 11). + +I. Let us draw the =map of the lands= embraced in the later journeys of +the apostle Paul. + +1. _The Lands_: 1.) Asia Minor. 2.) Thrace. 3.) Macedonia. 4.) Greece or +Achaia. 5.) Italy. 6.) Africa, not visited by Paul. 7.) Palestine or +Judea. 8.) Syria. + +2. _The Localities._ 1.) Jerusalem. 2.) Antioch. 3.) Ephesus. 4.) Troas. +5.) Philippi. 6.) Thessalonica. 7.) Berea. 8.) Athens. 9.) Corinth. 10.) +Rome. + +II. =Paul's Second Missionary Journey.= The gospel in Europe (A. D. +51-53). Notice: + +1. _His companions_: the quarrel with Barnabas and separation (Acts 15. +36-39). Barnabas at this point drops out of the record. Silas, Timothy, +and later Luke, accompany Paul (Acts 15. 40; 16. 1; 16. 10). Luke's +profession, perhaps therein helping the apostle (Col. 4. 14). + +2. _Asia Minor revisited._ Note and locate the provinces through which +they passed, starting from Antioch: 1.) Cilicia (Acts 15. 41). 2.) +Lycaonia (Acts 16. 1, 3.) Probably Pisidia (Acts 16. 4). 4.) Galatia. +5.) Phrygia (Acts 16. 6). Through Mysia to Troas (Acts 16. 8). Locate +these provinces on the map. + +3. _The Gospel in Europe._ Note the events which led to the voyage +across the Ægean Sea (Acts 16. 9). Trace the route on the map--from what +city? to what city? The three cities in Macedonia (Acts 16. 12; 17. 1; +17. 10). The two cities in Greece (Acts 17. 15; 18. 1). Note the long +stay in Corinth (Acts 18. 11); the largest city in Greece and the +commercial metropolis, at that time far more important than Athens. + +Review and locate the five cities in Europe thus far visited, P. T. B. +A. C., and recall the peculiar events at each place. + +4. _The two Epistles to the Thessalonians_ were written while Paul was +at Corinth, perhaps 52 and 53 A. D. These are the earliest extant +writings of Paul, and the earliest books of the New Testament. Two +subjects are presented in both letters: 1.) General precepts concerning +_Christian character_. 2.) The _second coming of Christ_. + +5. _A visit to Ephesus_, the chief city of Asia Minor (Acts 18. 18, 19). +Notice what would be the direct route from Corinth. Paul's stay at this +time was short, but with promise of a speedy return. + +6. _Return to Antioch._ The route, from Ephesus to Cæsarea, thence to +the mother church at Jerusalem; thence 250 miles either by land via +Damascus, or by water via Cæsarea (Acts 18. 22). The great result of the +second missionary journey was the planting of the gospel in Europe. The +churches founded were composed of both Jews and Gentiles, with the +latter largely in the majority. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART ONE + + I. =Map.= 1. Lands. 1.) A. M. 2.) Th. 3.) Mac. 4.) Gre. 5.) It. + 6.) Af. 7.) Pal. 8.) Syr. + 2. =Pla.= 1.) Jer. 2.) Ant. 3.) Eph. 4.) Tro. 5.) Phi. + 6.) Thes. 7.) Ber. 8.) Ath. 9.) Cor. + + II. =Pau. Sec. Miss. Jour.= 1. Comp. S. T. L. + 2. _As. Min. Rev._ 1.) Cil. 2.) Ly. 3.) Pi. 4.) Gal. 5.) Ph. + 6.) My. T. + 3. _Gos. in Eur._ Tro. Phil. Thess. Ber. Ath. Cor. + 4. _Ep. Thess._ 1.) Chr. Char. 2.) Chr. sec. com. + 5. _Vis. Eph._ + 6. _Ret. Ant._ Result-Gosp. Eur. + + +Review Questions. Part One + + What lands in Asia are named with this lesson on the + map? What lands in Europe? What localities in + Palestine and Syria? Localities in Asia Minor? + Localities in Europe? Who were Paul's companions on + his second missionary journey? What places of his + earlier journey were revisited at this time? What new + places did he visit in Asia Minor? What event called + Paul to go to Europe? In what city in Europe did Paul + first preach the gospel? How was his work in that city + interrupted? What other places in Macedonia did he + visit? In which of these places did he find the people + "more noble"? What cities in Greece did he visit? In + which city did he stay for a long time, and for what + reason? What letters were written during this journey? + From what place was each written? What was the subject + or purpose of each epistle? What large city in Asia + Minor was the last one visited on this journey? At + what places did Paul stop on his return journey? Where + did his journey end? What was the great result of this + journey? + + +PART TWO + +II. =Paul's Third Missionary Journey= (A. D. 54-58). His companions are +named in Acts 19. 22. The latter seems to have been a man of importance +from Corinth (Rom. 16. 23). We trace the journey, starting, as both the +former journeys, from Antioch: + +1. _From Antioch to Ephesus_ (Acts 18. 23). He went through Galatia and +Phrygia, visiting churches already founded. Some think that this +indicates a fourth visit to Lycaonia and Pisidia, as those lands were +loosely regarded as belonging to Galatia; but this is not certain. + +2. _Three years in Ephesus._ (Acts 19. 1-20.) In this metropolis of Asia +Minor Paul made a stay longer than in any other place during his +ministry. As results, churches arose in all that region: Colossæ (Col. +2. 2; 2. 1), Hierapolis (Col. 4. 13), and "the seven churches of Asia" +(Rev. 1. 11). + +3. _Macedonia and Greece revisited._ We can tell what places he would +visit in this journey through former fields, although they are not +named--the four or five cities wherein he had already planted churches: +Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea (Athens?), Corinth. One of his errands on +this journey, not mentioned in Acts, is frequently referred to in the +epistles of this period, his _collection for the poor Christians in +Judea_. See Rom. 15. 26, 27. 1 Cor. 16. 1-3. 2 Cor. 9. 1-4. Probably the +care of these funds was one reason for the large number of disciples +accompanying Paul on his return journey (Acts 20. 4). + +4. _Epistles of this Period._ These were the following: + + 1.) _First Corinthians_, written from Ephesus, perhaps + about 57 A. D. Its occasion (1 Cor. 1. 11, 12). Its + purpose, to set forth a true church-life. + + 2.) _Second Corinthians_ (57 A. D.), probably written + from Macedonia. (2 Cor. 7. 5; 8. 1); its purpose, + mainly a defense of Paul's apostolic authority. + + 3.) _Galatians_, also probably from Macedonia (57 A. + D). Its occasion, the influence of Judaizing teachers + on Paul's churches in Galatia (Gal. 1. 6, 7). + "Galatia" may refer to the regions in Lycaonia and + Pisidia (according to Ramsay); but most expositors + refer it to Galatia Proper, north of those provinces. + The theme of this book is "Salvation by faith _only_." + + 4.) _Romans_ was written from Corinth perhaps in 58 A. + D. See Rom. 16. 1, a reference to the seaport of + Corinth. Its subject is "Justification by Faith." + Notice how important were the writings of this period. + +5. _The return journey_ (Acts 20. 6-21, 17). Note the route and places, +which should be traced on the map. 1.) Philippi (Acts 20. 6). 2.) Troas +(Acts 20. 6-13). What took place at Troas? 3.) Voyage to Miletus (Acts +20. 14, 15). 4.) At Miletus, a touching address (Acts 20. 17-38). 5.) +Voyage to Tyre (Acts 21. 1-6). 6.) Ptolemais (Acts 21. 7). 7.) Cæsarea +(Acts 21. 8-15.) A remarkable meeting. 8.) Jerusalem (Acts 21. 17). +Paul's errand to Jerusalem was to present the contribution of the +Gentile churches; seeking to reconcile them with the mother church in +Jerusalem, which was exceedingly bigoted in its zeal for the law (Acts +21. 20, 21). + +6. =Paul's arrest and imprisonment= (Acts 21. 27-34). Our purpose is not +to narrate the personal life of St. Paul but to show the development of +the Christian church, therefore we do not enter into the details of his +experience. He was arrested in Jerusalem, and placed in the castle of +Antonia for his protection (Acts 21. 24); subsequently taken to Cæsarea +(Acts 23. 25-35). Here he remained in prison two years (Acts 24. 27). +During this time Paul was placed on trial at least four times: 1.) +Before the Jewish council of the Sanhedrim. (Acts 23. 1-10.) 2.) Before +the Roman governor or procurator Felix. (Acts 24:. 1-22.) 3.) Before +Festus, the successor of Felix. (Acts 25. 1-12.) 4.) Before Agrippa, the +ethnarch of the Bashan district, called by courtesy "King Agrippa." +(Acts 26. 1-32.) + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART TWO + + III. =Pau. Thir. Miss. Jour.= (54-58). Comp. Tim. Eras. + 1. _Ant. to Eph._ Gal. Phr. + 2. _Thr. Ye. Eph._ Res. Col. Hier. "Sev. Ch. As." + 3. _Mac. Gre. Rev._ Phil. Thes. Ber. (Ath.?) Cor. Coll. for Jud. + 4. _Ep. Per._ 1.) 1 Cor. Eph. 57. Tr. Ch. Lif. 2.) 2 Cor. 57. + Mac. P. ap. auth. 3.) Gal. Mac. 57. "Jud. tea." "Salv. fai. + on." 4.) Rom. Cor. 58. "Jus. by fai." + 5. _Ret. Jour._ 1.) Ph. 2.) Tro. 3.) Voy. Mil. 4.) Mil. + 5.) Voy. Tyr. 6.) Ptol. 7.) Cæs. 8.) Jer. + 6. _Pau. Arr. & Imp._ Jer. Cæs. + + +Review Questions, Part Two + + Who were companions of Paul on his third journey? From + what city did he start? Through what lands did he + first pass? What great city was his principal field of + labor? In what neighboring cities did churches arise + as a result? What provinces in Europe, and what cities + in them, did he revisit? What was one of his important + errands on this journey? Who accompanied Paul on his + return? What letters were written while Paul was on + this journey? Name the place from which each of these + epistles was written. State the approximate date of + each letter. What was the purpose or theme of each + letter? Name some of the places where Paul stopped on + his return journey. What took place at Troas? What + took place at Miletus? Whom did Paul meet at Cæsarea? + What was Paul's destination? What was his purpose in + visiting the mother church? What happened to Paul at + Jerusalem? To what place was he afterwards taken? How + long was he a prisoner in that place? + + +PART THREE + +IV. =Paul's Fourth Journey= (Acts 27 and 28). Although made by a +prisoner, some of the time wearing a chain (Acts 26. 29; 28. 20), the +journey to Rome was a missionary journey, in many respects like Paul's +other journeys. To visit Rome had long been his desire and expectation +(Acts 19. 21. Rom. 1. 15. Rom. 15. 23, 24). His companions on the +journey, Luke, Aristarchus (Acts 27. 1, 2), and probably Timothy. + +1. On the voyage he was able to bring the _gospel to the island of +Malta_ (Acts 28. 7-10). + +2. Arriving at _Rome_ (Acts 28. 16) he took up his work as nearly as +possible according to his _regular method_. 1.) He found a _home_ and +_employment_ (Acts 28. 16). 2.) As he could not go to the synagogue he +_sent for the chief Jews_ and preached the gospel to them (Acts 28. +17-24). 3.) He then turned to the Gentiles (Acts 28. 28-31). 4.) Some +_results_ of his ministry in Rome (Phil 1. 12-18). + +3. _The Epistles of Paul's Imprisonment at Rome._ The order of these is +uncertain, but they belong rather to the close of the period than to its +opening. + + 1.) _Ephesians_; called by S. T. Coleridge "the + divinest composition of man;" written A. D. 62; its + subject, "The mystical union of Christ and his + church." + + 2.) _Philippians_; the most affectionate of all Paul's + letters; written A. D. 62; its subject "The character + of Christ's followers." + + 3.) _Colossians_; written to a church that Paul had + never seen; about A. D. 62; subject, "Christ the Head + of the Church." + + 4.) _Philemon_: a personal letter to a friend at + Colossæ concerning a _runaway slave_ Onesimus, whom + Paul sent back, "no longer a slave, but a brother + beloved." + +V. =Paul's Later Years.= The record is uncertain, and almost unknown. It +is probable, though not certain, that Paul was set free about 63 A. D. + +1. _His years of liberty._ 63 to 67 A. D. Shall we speak of a _fifth +journey_? We find hints or expectations of his being at Colossæ (Philem. +22); Miletus (2 Tim. 4. 13); Nicopolis, north of Greece, on the Adriatic +Sea (Titus 3. 12). Tradition states that at this place he was arrested, +and sent from it a second time to Rome. + +2. _His last epistles._ It is not certain that all the "pastoral +epistles" were written by Paul. 1.) They are unlike his other writings +in their style. 2.) His doctrinal views are not prominent in them. Yet +on the whole, they show a reasonable probability of Paul's authorship. + + 1.) _First Timothy_ was written during the period of + liberty, between 63 and 66 A. D., as a book of + _counsels to a minister_, Timothy, in charge of the + church at Ephesus. + + 2.) _Titus_, about the same time and for the same + purpose; to Titus, in charge of churches on the island + of Crete. + + 3.) _Second Timothy_, from Rome, during Paul's second + and last imprisonment; a letter of farewell counsels + to his "son Timothy." Strictly speaking this book + should be named under the next subject. + +VI. =The First Imperial Persecution.= The Christians were becoming +numerous in Rome, as well as throughout the empire; and a conflict was +sure to arise with the Roman government. The first persecution came soon +after the burning of Rome, A. D. 64, which Nero charged falsely upon the +Christians. Thousands were put to death, although the persecution was +mainly limited to the capital. The _martyrdom of St. Paul_, probably of +St. Peter also, took place about 68 A. D. at Rome. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART THREE + + IV. =Pau. Fou. Jour.= Pris. Comp. Lu. Aris. Tim. + 1. Gos. Mal. + 2. Ro. 1.) Ho. Emp. 2.) Sent. Ch. Je. 3.) Tur. Gen. 4.) Res. min. + 3. Ep. Pau. Imp. 1.) Eph. "Mys. Un. Ch. and Ch." 2.) Phil. "Char. + Chr. fol." 3.) Col. "Chr. Hea. Ch." 4.) Philem. Run. Sla. + + V. =Pau. Lat. Ye.= 1. Yea. Lib. Col. Mil. Nicop. 2. Las. Ep. + 1.) 1 Tim. 2.) Tit. 3.) 2 Tim. + + VI. =Fir. Imp. Per.= Mart. Pau. 68 A. D. + + +Review Questions. Part Three + + Under what circumstances did Paul make his fourth + journey? Who were his companions? Where did he preach + the gospel on his journey? How did he follow his + regular method, as far as possible, at Rome? What were + some results of his ministry in Rome? What epistles + were written at Rome? What is the subject of these + epistles? How long was Paul at liberty after his first + imprisonment? What places did he probably visit during + those years? What were the last three epistles written + by Paul? What is the subject of each epistle? How did + the first imperial persecution of the Christians + arise? Who probably suffered martyrdom at this time? + + + + +EIGHTEENTH STUDY + +The End of the Age + +From the Death of St. Paul, A. D. 68, to the Death of St. John, 100 A. +D. + + +PART ONE + +We come now to our last period, an _age of shadows_, of which we know +very little, and wish that we knew more. The curtain of New Testament +history falls while St. Paul is still a prisoner at Rome, five years +before the supposed date of his death. From that time, A. D. 63, to +about A. D. 125 there is very little history, and none in the New +Testament; we are left to hints, traditions, and conjectures. + +A question which we would like to answer is, What became of the +_companions_ of St. Paul: such men as Timothy (Heb. 13. 23), Titus (2 +Tim. 4. 10), Apollos (Titus 3. 13), Luke (2 Tim. 4. 11)? All of these +were living and working at the close of Paul's life; but there is no +report of their life and labors after that event. + +Another perplexing fact is that when the curtain rises at about 125 A. +D. it shows us a very _different church_ from that of St. Paul's day: a +church completely organized, with bishops in almost absolute control; +and sects quarreling over controversies apparently unknown when St. Paul +wrote his letters. + +While Peter and Paul were living the church had wise and statesmanlike +leaders, who directed its energies. But when these great men died +"second-rate men" were left in control and they were not equal to the +demand of the new time; and the church drifted into disputes, which grew +into divisions. Let us notice the few known =Events of this Period=. + +I. =The Fall of Jerusalem=: epoch-making, not only to Jewish but also to +Christian history. + +1. The _rebellion of the Jews_ against the Roman power began in 68 A. +D.; hopeless from the beginning--for how could one small state measure +swords with the empire of the civilized world? The city of Jerusalem was +taken and destroyed 70 A. D., and with it fell forever the Jewish +state. + +2. The _siege had been predicted_ in the gospels (Matt. 24. 15-18; Mark +13. 14), and was expected by the disciples of Christ. The _Christians_ +in Jerusalem and Judea _withdrew_ to _Pella_ in the Jordan valley; but +their numbers were not large, showing that Jewish Christianity must have +declined since A. D. 58 (see Acts 21. 20), while Gentile Christianity +had increased. After the destruction of Jerusalem Jewish Christianity +remained for 200 years a feeble and declining sect, hated by their own +people as traitors, and despised by Gentile Christians because they +still observed the Jewish law. + +3. The effect of the fall of Jerusalem was to draw a sharp line of +_division between Jews and Christians_. Before, the two classes had been +closely related, and confused in the popular mind. Thenceforth the two +streams ran further and further apart, and have continued apart even to +our own time. All Jewish rites ceased in the church, Christians could no +longer be Jews; and after 125 A. D. Jews could no longer be Christians +without renouncing Judaism. The church was now thoroughly a Gentile, +non-Jewish church. Note in the gospel of John how "the Jews" are +everywhere named as enemies of Christ (John 5. 16; 7. 1; 11. 8; 18. 36); +and yet the author of this book was himself a Jew by birth and training; +but at the time of writing he had ceased to be a Jew. + +II. =St. John at Ephesus.= Ephesus, at the western end of Asia Minor, +was now the leading city of Christianity. It is probable that the +apostle John passed the last thirty years of his life in that city. He +was revered as the _last of the apostles_; but he was not a statesman or +man of affairs; rather a mystic and man of meditation. It is supposed +that he died about 100 A. D. but the date is not certain. + +III. =The Rise of the Heresies.= 1. This was the inevitable _result of +the Greek mind_ working on the simple doctrines of the gospel. The +Christian doctrine was Jewish; and the Jewish mind was not given to +subtle intellectual questions. But when Christianity ceased to be Jewish +and began to Gentile it was dominated by the Greek spirit of restless +inquiry. Asia Minor was the home of wild, uncontrolled thinking. Sects +almost without number appeared, wrangled, and divided over every article +of the creed. The more mysterious the question, the more apart from +practical life and from human interest, the more fascinating became the +study. + +2. Two great classes of sects embraced many minor groups. + +1.) _The Ebionites._ Strict Jews, who sought to make Christianity a +branch of Pharisaism, keeping the Jewish law. 2.) _The Gnostics._ People +with peculiar views concerning the nature of God, heavenly beings, the +nature of Christ. + +3. The _results_ of these controversies were both good and evil. 1.) +_Good_ in that the clashing of ideas aided in _fixing_ in permanent form +the true _doctrines_ of the church. 2.) But far more _evil_; for the +energies of the members were absorbed in debate and controversy; the +spiritual life of the church greatly declined; the aim ceased to be +devotion to Christ, but was now orthodoxy in belief. Christianity became +a creed, instead of an inner spiritual life. + +IV. =The Second Imperial Persecution=; under the emperor Domitian, son +of Titus, about A. D. 95. This was far more widely extended than the +former persecution under Nero; and it was followed by a long series of +persecutions, wherein untold thousands of Christians were put to death. +The inevitable conflict had come between Christianity and the Roman +empire, and it lasted two hundred years; but at its close the cross was +triumphant over the Roman eagles. It is not difficult to see the +_causes_ of this _struggle_: + +1. _Heathenism was hospitable_, welcoming new gods and goddesses, while +_Christianity was exclusive_, opposing with all its might every other +form of worship. + +2. _Idol-worship_ and its services were _interwoven_ with all the _life +of the people_; personal, family, social, political. Temples, statues, +festivals were constantly in evidence; on all occasions there were rites +of worship. But here was a growing multitude of people who stood aloof +from these exercises. It was not strange that these people were regarded +as enemies of society and of the state. + +3. Certain forms of religion were allowed in the Roman empire, but all +new forms were forbidden. _Judaism was a permitted_ religion. As long as +Christianity was looked upon as a branch of Judaism, it was allowed. But +after the fall of Jerusalem it stood alone, an unlicensed form of +worship, hence under suspicion; suspicion readily becoming enmity. + +4. _The worship of the emperor_ was the one most prevalent throughout +the empire. A statue of the reigning emperor stood in every city, and it +was a test of loyalty to offer libations of incense before it. This +worship is doubtless referred to in an enigmatic manner in such +passages as 2 Thess. 2. 3, 4. Rev. 13. 1, 4, 8, 18. This worship was +refused by the Christians, who were for that reason regarded as +disloyal. + +From these causes persecution after persecution arose; hundreds of +thousands perished; yet in spite of the persecution, the church grew +rapidly. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART ONE + + =En. Ag.= Ag. shad. Comp. Paul. Diff. Ch. 125 A. D. "Sec. ra. m." + + I. =Fa. Jer.= 1.) Reb. A. D. 68-70. 2.) Siege pred. Chr. with. + Pel. 3.) Eff. div. Je. Chr. + + II. =Jhn. Eph.= Last. Ap. 100 A. D. + + III. =Ris. Her.= 1. Gre. min. 2. Eb. Gnos. 3. Res. 1.) G. 2.) Ev. + + IV. =Sec. Imp. Per.= Dom. 95. Caus. 1. Heath. hosp. 2. Id. wor. int. + li. 3. Jud. per. rel. Chr. unlic. 4. Wor. Emp. + + +Review Questions + + What is said of the period after the death of St. + Paul? Between what years is there very little history? + What companions of St. Paul were living at the time of + his death? What became of these men? Wherein was the + church of a later period different from that of the + earlier time? What reason is assigned for these + changes? Name the four principal events in the period + under consideration. When did the rebellion of the + Jews against the Roman empire begin? What was the + result of this rebellion? What became of the + Christians in Jerusalem at the opening of the Jewish + war? What was the after history of Jewish + Christianity? What was the effect of the fall of + Jerusalem on the relations between Christianity and + Judaism? Who was the last of the twelve apostles on + the earth? Where did he live? What was his character? + What is said as to his death? What divisions in the + church arose at this period? Of what were these + divisions the result? What country was the home of the + heresies? Who were the Ebionites? Who were the + Gnostics? What good result came from these + controversies? What evil result followed them? What + persecution arose during this period? At what time? + Under what emperor did the persecution begin? How did + it compare with the earlier persecution under Nero? + What general causes may be given for the series of + imperial persecutions of the Christians? Wherein was + heathenism hospitable, and Christianity exclusive? How + was idolatry interwoven with the affairs of life? How + was this fact adverse to the Christians? How did + Christianity come to be looked on with suspicion in + the empire? How did the worship of the emperor affect + the Christians? What is this worship called in the New + Testament? Did these persecutions stop the progress of + the church? + + +PART TWO + +Let us consider the =condition of the church= at the end of the first +century, seventy years after the Ascension of our Lord. + +I. =Its Numbers= cannot be definitely stated; but the church was very +large, and growing with marvelous rapidity. Sources of information: 1.) +_The catacombs_; cemeteries under and around Rome where Christians only +were buried, and wherein they met in times of persecution; occupied +between 100 and 400 A. D.; containing in three centuries two million +graves of Christians. 2.) A letter of Pliny, Roman governor of +Bithynia-Pontus in Asia Minor, 112 A. D., stating that "the temples were +almost deserted," "an incredible number of professors." Evidences point +to the church, A. D. 100, having already a large proportion of the +population of the Roman empire. + +II. =Its Membership.= 1. Once the church had been entirely Jewish; then +it became Jewish and Gentile; now it was almost everywhere a Gentile +church, with a few Jewish members, most of whom had abandoned Jewish +rites and rules and were regarded by the Jews as "apostates." + +2. _Its social condition_ was varied. It is a mistake to suppose that at +any time the early church was composed mainly of slaves and the poorest +classes. Such there were; but there were also men of wealth, of high +rank, and of great influence. There is reason to believe that some +relatives of the emperor, previous to 100 A. D. were banished on account +of their Christian profession. The gospel had by this time permeated all +classes. + +III. =Its Organization.= We observe in this respect a remarkable change +since the period of St. Paul's ministry. Everywhere the church was +hardening into an _ecclesiastical system ruled by bishops_. Bishops are +first mentioned late in St. Paul's ministry (Acts 20. 28; Rev. Ver. +Phil. 1. 1; 1 Tim. 3. 1-7); but it is evident that the word at that time +meant no more than "elder;" otherwise the elders of Ephesus would not +have been called "bishops" in Acts 20.28. But in an autocratic state the +church would naturally become autocratic in its arrangement, ruled from +above rather than from below. By 125 A. D. bishops were in control +everywhere. + +IV. =Its Institutions.= Two of these require notice. 1. _The Lord's +Supper._ We have seen how this began as a service in the home, like the +Jewish Passover, out of which it grew (Acts 2. 46). But among Gentile +churches the custom arose of celebrating it at a public meeting, as a +supper to which each member brought some share of provision. See 1 Cor. +11. 20-30, an account of abuses that had arisen. By the end of the first +century the supper had become a service held at the meeting place of the +Christians, but not in public. All except members of the church were +excluded from this service, which was held as a "mystery." + +2. _The Lord's Day._ The observance of the first day of the week grew +gradually, and with its growth the recognition of the Jewish sabbath +declined. Note the development indicated in 1 Cor. 16. 2; Acts 20. 7; +Rev. 1. 10. As the church became entirely a Gentile institution "the +Lord's day" took the place of the Jewish sabbath. + +V. =Its Doctrinal System.= The _theology of St. Paul_, as set forth in +Romans and Ephesians, was now accepted as the doctrine of the church. +Notice that St. Peter (1 Pet. 1. 18-21) states the great Pauline +principle of justification by faith through the blood of Christ. + +VI. =Its Literature.= By 100 A. D. all the books of the New Testament +were written, though not all of them were everywhere accepted as +authoritative. In some places there were questions about Hebrews, 2 +Peter and Revelation; the latter because local in its address, and so +recent in origin as not to be known everywhere. But the gospels (except +John, which was about 95 A. D. in its date), the Acts and nearly all the +epistles were read in all the churches as possessing an inspired +authority. Note that, in 2 Peter, Paul's writings are placed on a par +with "the other Scriptures," which must refer to the Old Testament. + +VII. =Its Spiritual Life.= It must be admitted that there had been a +decline in the fervency of the Christian life in the church. Its moral +standards were still high; but spiritual gifts had become less +noticeable; the rule of bishops and councils and the controversies over +doctrines were weakening the fervor of spirituality. Note the difference +in spirit and tone between the writings of the New Testament and those +of the early church-fathers in the second century. + + +Blackboard Outline + +PART TWO + + =Cond. of Ch.= 100 =A. D.= + + I. =Num.= 1.) Cat. 2.) Let. Plin. + + II. =Mem.= 1.) Gen. few Je. 2.) Soc. cond. all class. + + III. =Org.= Ecc. Sys. ru. b. Bish. + + IV. =Inst.= Lor. Sup. Lor. D. + + V. =Doc. Sys.= Theo. Pau. + + VI. =Lit.= N. T. + + VII. =Spir. Lif.= Dec. + + +Review Questions. Part Two + + What is the estimate of the number of members in the + church at the end of the first century? What evidence + of this is found in the Catacombs of Rome? What + evidence is given by a letter? Who wrote this letter, + and when was it written? Was the church at this time + Jewish or Gentile? What was the relation of Jewish + believers to the church? Of what social elements was + the church composed? How was the church organized at + this time? What references to "bishops" are found in + the New Testament, and what do they indicate? How did + the bishops grow to be rulers in the church? What two + institutions of the church are referred to? How was + the Lord's Supper observed in the earliest church? + What changes arose in the method of administration? + How did the first day of the week come to be + recognized in the church? What was the doctrinal + system of this time? What was the literature of the + church? What books were at first questioned? What was + the spiritual condition of the church as compared with + earlier periods? What may have caused the decline in + spiritual fervor? + + +THE END + + + + +THE + +Ten Minute Series OF Supplemental Lessons + +FOR + +The Sunday School, + +BY + +LORANUS E. HITCHCOCK. + + +The necessity of some instruction in the Bible in order to supply the +deficiencies which are unavoidable to any system of uniform lessons, is +realized in every Sunday school. The International Lessons can only give +detached portions of Scripture, and a supplemental lesson must be added +to impart a general knowledge of the book as a whole. + +The full course of study includes five series of lessons, adapted to be +used in any denomination. + + I. The Life of Jesus. + II. Studies about the Bible. + III. Bible Geography. + IV. Bible History. + V. History of the Christian Church. + +Two additional series of special interest to the Methodist Episcopal +Church have been prepared, namely: + + VI. History of the Methodist Episcopal Church. + VII. Government of the Methodist Episcopal Church. + +These lessons are arranged for use as graded studies for scholars ten +years of age and upward. + +Each series contains thirty-six lessons, which can easily be learned in +the course of a year, even if the study be suspended during the summer +months. + + Sample Set, 7 numbers, 35 cents. + Price of each, per dozen, 50 cents; by mail, 59 cents. + + New York: EATON & MAINS. Cincinnati: JENNINGS & GRAHAM. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Text uses both Maccabean and +Maccabæan once. + +Page 7, "17" changed to "19" (Study, page 19) + +Page 9, "9, 10" changed to "11, 12" (given on pages 11, 12) + +Page 17, "he" changed to "the" (the legate) + +Page 18, "Perea" changed to "Peræa" (place in Peræa and three) + +Page 25, "thrty-five" changed to "thirty-five" (less than thirty-five +years) + +Page 30, "1.)" added to text. (this period. 1.) In his infancy) + +Page 36, comma changed to hyphen. Original read: (Nicodemus (John 3. 1, +21)) + +Page 41, number "1.)" was used for the first two items under heading +III. The items were renumbered consecutively. + +Page 46, "Gaililee" changed to "Galilee" (southwest of the Sea of +Galilee) + +Page 48, "refences" changed to "references" (of the following +references) + +Page 49, "provincess" changed to "provinces" (Beside the five provinces) + +Page 51, "occured" changed to "occurred" (this journey occurred four) + +Page 51, "visit" changed to "Visit" (A Visit to Bethany) + +Page 52, "Question" changed to "Questions" (Review Questions) + +Page 72, "Aegean" changed to "Ægean" (the Ægean Sea. Name the) + +Page 75, "sugested" changed to "suggested" (and doubtless suggested by) + +Page 75, "synagoguge" changed to "synagogue" (synagogue service? To +what) + +Page 77, "Jersualem" changed to "Jerusalem" (in Jerusalem with Peter) + +Page 97, "13. 5, 4. changed to "13. 4, 5." (13. 4, 5. Acts) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Outline Studies in the New Testament +for Bible Teachers, by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41602 *** |