“6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the Word in Asia; and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, 10 Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them. 11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; and 12 from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony; and we were in this city tarrying certain days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river-side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”
Golden Text.—“Thou shalt be His witness unto all men.” Acts 22:15.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Mention the circumstances which lead up to this lesson. Note 1. (2) After leaving Lystra, where did the apostle and his company go? Verse 6. (3) Where were they forbidden to go? (4) To what other place did they go? Verse 7. Note 2. (5) How were they prevented from going into Bithynia? (6) To what place did they next come? Verse 8. (7) What experience did Paul have at Troas? Verse 9. (8) What did he see? (9) What was said to Paul? (10) What did the apostle endeavor immediately to do, and why? Verse 10. Note 3. (11) Whence did they sail from Troas? Verse 11. (12) What was the first place reached in Macedonia? (13) To what place did the apostle then journey? Verse 12. What is said of the city and the sojourn of Paul there? (14) What did they do on the Sabbath day? Note 4. (15) Why did they go out of the city? (16) How did Paul use the occasion? (17) What certain woman was there? (18) What was her business? Note 5. (19) How did the talk of the apostle affect her? (20) How did she and her household show their faith? Verse 15. (21) What invitation did she extend to the apostle and his co-workers, and what was the result?
Besides the notes, read the article of the same title as the lesson, in the fore part of paper.
NOTES.
1. After the council in Jerusalem, Paul, Barnabas, and Silas went to Antioch, where they preached the Word of the Lord. After a while Paul and Barnabas concluded to visit again the churches raised up by them, but could not agree over the question of taking Mark, the nephew of Barnabas. They therefore divided, Barnabas and Mark going to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas and went throughout Syria and Cilicia. They visited Derbe and Lystra, finding Timothy, a young disciple, and with him passed through the various churches, delivering the conclusions of the council, to the great blessing of the churches.
2. Over against Mysia.—They designed to pass through this province to Bithynia on the east. The language of this verse and the next would show that this part of the journey was by water.
3. Concluding.—So God would lead His people now by sure ways, if they did not quench the Spirit. Expediency could have found a way to reason around the vision, but the apostle was not in that business. Troas was a city on the coast of Mysia, a little south of the ruins of ancient Troy. The ruins are now called Eski-Stamboul (old Constantinople). Samothracia (the height of Thrace), a lofty and conspicuous island of the coast of Thrace. Neapolis (new city), the place where Paul first landed in Europe, the port of Philippi, on the site of the present town called Kavalla. It is about ten miles from Philippi. To the Christians of this city the epistle of the Philippians was addressed.
4. On the Sabbath day. The obvious reading shows that these servants of God were desirous of finding above all else a place of worship, and true worshipers with whom they could join. The day, too, is called by its sacred, God-given name.
5. Purple. Philippi was famed for its dyes. Heard us. A conversation on the Gospel; not a set discourse. Paul talked to and with them. Lydia was a proselyte of the Jewish faith.
