LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 1893.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson: it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there;
- Save that the Holy Ghost testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
- Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
- For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
- Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in the which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
- I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
- And from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
- Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
- And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
- I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
- Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- In all things I gave you an example, how that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Golden Text.—"Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God." Heb. 13:7.- Mention the important events concerning this lesson with our last. Note 1.
- For whom did he send when at Miletus? and why? Acts 20:16, 18. Note 2.
- Of what did the apostle remind them?
"Serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews: how that I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:19-21.- What did he say of his journey to Jerusalem? Verse 22.
- What waited for him at every place? and what witness had he of this? Verse 23.
- How did Paul look upon these trials and his life? Verse 24.
- What did he say of his meeting again with them? Verse 25.
- Of what did he say he was free? and why? Verses 26, 27. Note 3.
- What were the elders enjoined to do? Verse 28.
- What is the corresponding duty of the church? Golden text.
- With what are the elders to feed the flock? Ans.—The word of God. See verse 32, and 1 Peter 2:2.
- Of what did the apostle warn them? Verses 29, 30. Note 4.
- For how long and in what spirit had he taught them? Verse 31.
- To what did he commend them? Verse 32.
- How all-sufficient is that word?—Id. See 2 Tim. 3:16.
- What had been Paul's manner of life with them? Verses 33, 34.
- How did he thus set them an example? Verse 35.
- What should we with them always remember?—Id.
1. Our last lesson closed with Paul at Ephesus. Acts 19:12. Verses 13-16 tell of the attempt of wandering Jews to defeat Paul's work, and how God turned their defeat upon themselves. Verses 17-20 record the wondrous effect following the preaching of the gospel, the conversion of the heathen, and the destruction of the books of magic to the amount of 50,000 pieces of silver. He at this time sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia, while he remains. About this time Demetrius, a silversmith, finding his trade of making shrines of Diana in danger, gathered the trade union of silversmiths and denounced Paul and his religion, saying that Diana herself would be deposed. Great wrath was aroused, the city was filled with confusion, and all rushed to the theater, the most part not knowing why, where the town clerk quieted them, and told the wily Demetrius to appeal in a regular way to the courts. Verses 21-41. From Ephesus Paul passed through Macedonia into Greece, probably visiting the churches at Corinth and in Achaia. Intending to sail to Jerusalem from Cenchrea, he was hindered by a plot of the Jews, so he returned through Macedonia. Some of his companions he sent ahead to Troas, while he went to Philippi, was there joined by Luke, and sailed thence to Troas. Paul stopped awhile at Troas, raised Eutychus from the dead, traveled overland to Assos, called at Mitylene, next at Samos, and then to Miletus, reaching there the fourth day of the week, or Wednesday. Acts 20:1-16. 2. Paul was anxious to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, and therefore did not wish to tarry at Ephesus. But as he wished to help that church, and as God desired that his counsel should be put on record for us, Paul sent for the elders to meet him at Miletus. As the distance was about 45 miles, the meeting was very probably held on the Sabbath. 3. Whole counsel.—It is worthy of note that Paul here declares that he kept back nothing that was profitable (verse 20), and that he had not shrunk from declaring the whole counsel of God (verse 27). Of course this is all summed up in "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (verse 21), repentance having respect to sin, the transgression of God's law, and faith to the remedy for sin, the gospel. Yet, and the fact should be noted, nowhere is it intimated that the apostle taught or observed Sunday as a holy day. Sunday observance is therefore not profitable; it is not a part of the counsel of God. 4. Grievous wolves shall enter.—In these two verses we have foretold the great apostasy. In 2 Thess. 2:7 the apostle said that it already began to work in his day. The "perverse things" would be that which was contrary to the word of God. Through this departure have come all the errors which have divided and disgraced the church of God, prominent among which is the false sabbath.