LESSON I.—SABBATH, JANUARY 1, 1898.
THE APOSTLE AT ICONIUM, LYsTRA, AND DERBE.
“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which bare witness unto the Word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was made an assault both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to entreat them shamefully, and to stone them, they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about; and there they preached the Gospel.
“And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speaking; who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is; who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
“But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city; and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.” (1) Name the two apostles whose labor is recorded in Acts 13. (2) What places did they visit, as recorded in that chapter? (3) What occurred at the last place mentioned? (4) How were the apostles treated? (5) What did they do? and to what place did they go? 6. When they came to Iconium, what did they do? How did they speak? Verse 1. 7. What did the unbelieving Jews do? Verse 2. 8. What evidence have we that the apostles were not discouraged by this prejudice against them? What, indeed, seems to have been the cause of their long stay in Iconium? How did they speak while there? What did the Lord do as they spoke? What testimony did the Lord give to the Word? Verse 3. 9. What effect did the preaching of the Gospel have on the people of the city? What evidence is there that the entire city took their stand either for or against the truth? Verse 4. 10. To what did the prejudice which the Jews had created against the apostles finally lead? Verse 5. 11. What did the apostles then do? To what portion of the country did they go? Verse 6. 12. What did they do there? Verse 7. 13. Tell the condition of the lame man at Lystra, who heard Paul preach. Verse 8. 14. When Paul saw him in the congregation, what did he perceive? Verse 9. 15. What did he say to him? What immediately took place? Verse 10. 16. What did the people say when they saw this miracle? Verse 11. 17. What names did they give to the apostles? Verse 12. 18. What did they at once proceed to do? V. 13. 19. When the apostles heard of it, what did they do? Verse 14. 20. How did they address the people? What did they say of themselves? What did they say they were preaching? In what character did they present God in contrast with the gods that the people worshiped? Verse 15. 21. What did God allow in time past? Verse 16. 22. What did he nevertheless not neglect? How does God give all men witness of himself? Verse 17. 23. How did this presentation of the true God affect the people of Lystra? Verse 18. 24. What reversal of public opinion soon took place? Who were instrumental in stirring up this persecution? How severely was Paul treated? V. 19. 25. What took place as the disciples stood round his body? What evidence have we that Paul was not at all dismayed by what had taken place? Where did the apostles next go? Verse 20. 26. What was their course after preaching at Derbe? Verse 21. 27. What did they do on their return journey? Of what was Paul well qualified to assure the disciples? Verse 22. 28. Give a brief summary of the first twenty-two verses of this chapter. 1. PREJUDICE and opposition usually have the effect of discouraging workers, or at least of causing them to think that the field is not a profitable one to remain in; what was the effect on the apostles? Note verses 2, 3. “The unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected towards the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord.” 2. NOTE especially the influence of the preaching as indicated in verse 4. It was not for nothing that the apostles abode in Iconium a long time, in spite of, or, rather, because of, the prejudice. They remained until all in the city had taken their stand either for or against the truth. Can the “multitude of the city” mean any less than all in the city? Does the statement that “the multitude of the city was divided, a part held with the Jews, and a part with the apostles,” give any indication of the proportion of believers in the city?