June, 1941
THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
227
met together, worshiping, working, waiting, as one body in Christ. Points and Problems 1. As these lines are being written, the territory in which the apostle moved long ago has become the center of the world’s news. Phrygia, Galatia, Asia, Mysia, Bithynia '■— all these countries are now parts of the modem Turkish Empire which the democracies of the world are urging by every possible dip lomatic means to cast its military lot with England and little Greece against the Hitler armies. Troas, from which Paul sailed to begin his work in Europe, is near the famous Straits of Dardan elles, for which the armies of the world may be fighting desperately within a few days. When Paul landed in Philippi with the gospel, he set his feet in the land of modem Greece. From Philippi the apostle went to Thessalonica, which today is the modem Salonika, where it is reported the British are landing thou sands of soldiers and immense stores of munitions of war. What a commentary on human civilization and “progress” to find that in the very place where the gospel laid the foundation for every good thing in western civilization, now after nineteen hundred years the same civilization may be soon fighting for its very existence! Surely the coming of the Lord must be near. 2. “But the Spirit suffered them not" (Acts 16:7). According to the great weight of manuscript evidence, the or iginal text read, "the Spirit of Jesus” (of. R. V.). This is a matter of high doctrinal importance. A certain school of thought teaches that one may be a Christian and hot have the Holy Spirit. And if against this notion you quote Romans 8:9, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,” they sometimes argue that the “Spirit of Christ” here is not the Holy Spirit, but only the “spirit” or “attitude” of Christ. The above reading of Acts 16:7 proves that the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of Jesus” in the New Testament, be cause in verse 6 He is definitely named “the Holy Ghost.” 3. “We endeavored . . . . the Lord had called us” (v. 10). In this verse we meet one of the most interesting literary characteristics of the Book of Acts. This is the first of the famous “we” sections (16:10-17; 20:6-16, and chapters 21, 27, 28), which bear internal evidence that Luke was the writer. Some think that the reason Luke changes from the third person to the first person plural here is that he had just joined Paul at Troas. There is one theory that Luke might be the “man of Macedonia.”
to embrace, the Jesus religion. Come with me; the entire. village is waiting to t your coming.” Before .1 could reply, another man stepped forward, and then a third, and lo! a fourth, and from the lips of each fell the Macedonian cry. Listen to the last man: “ Sahib, this is the fourth year that I have come to you, and every time you have sent me away sorrowing. Oh, Sahib, give me a mes sage of hope this time.” With a breaking heart, I had to say: “Your village is eight miles away, and I dare not even encourage you till I have a teacher for you. Be patient an other year.” This is what occurred last year in a little village in thé jungles of India im mediately after a baptismal service in which the writer had the joy of baptiz ing 1,52 men, women, and children (rep resenting all'the families there).—Her man Schütz, in the Christian Advocate. At Lydia’s House A cts 16 MEMORY VERSE: “Be not forget ful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels imawares” (Heb. 13:2). APPROACH: Did you ever have some one come to your house whom you did not know very well, but who, after wards, became your best friend? God night—a “vision,” it was called. In this vision he saw a man from Macedonia who said, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Paul knew that God was telling him to take the gospel into Europe, and he went. His first meeting was held down by a river side, and the only ones to listen Jto him were a few women. However, numbers are not al ways important. There was one woman there, whose name was Lydia, and her heart was touched in a real way, She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized. Then she did a very gracious thing. She said to Paul, “Gome into my house, and abide there.” So God pro vided Paul with a home in which to start a little church in Europe. From this small beginning great things happened. Lydia’s kindness was good for Paul, but it was good for Lydia, too. When she entertained this stranger she was entertaining more than an angel—she was entertaining the Lord Himself, for Christ said: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done, it unto me.” 5-Division says when we enter tain strangers we might be entertain ing angels without knowing it; so it is a good thing to be hospitable. LESSON: When Paul hgd gone over Asia preaching the gospel, he had a sort of dream one
It is a good thing for us to make strangers feel welcome, but before we can do this effectively, we need to say to the Lord Jesus Himself, “Come into my house, and abide there.” He will be glad to make His home with us if we only ask Him.
A M ysterious “ M ” Object Lesson
OBJECTS: A letter "M” and a pair of scissors. (Make the “M” from a piece of white paper 8% x ll inches. Fold in the middle to 8y2x5% inches. Fold sideways, making three panels approx imately 5%x2% inches. With the fold at the top, cut a capital “T.” The cross bar should be % of an inch deep, and the upright % of an inch wide. Open and cut off the back uprights of the “T’s” 3% inches from the bottom. This will give the appearance of crosses when opened during the lesson. Unfold and color the inside of the center cross red, and the two outside ones black. Refold to the position of three “T’s.” Fold the outside crossarms of the right and left “T’s” parallel with the upright. This will give the appearance of a letter “M.” Attach to the blackboard with thumb tacks.) LESSON: This capital • “M” reminds me of the word “ missionary.” The Apostle Paul was a great missionary. More is involved in being a missionary than we sometimes think. This “M” has more in it than you imagine. First let us notice that it has three “T’s.” [Unfold the side crossbars and cut the "T’s” apart.] The first “T” stands for the word “Told.” Paul had a vision telling him of the need in Macedonia. The second “T” stands for “True.” Paul was true and faithful, and he obeyed by going immediately. The third “T” reminds us of the word “Tell.” It was not enough for Paul just to go to Philippi. He must tell of Christ. This “M” has even more than three “T’s.” Opening the middle “T” and turning it over, I find that it makes a red cross, reminding us of the blood of Christ which cleanses from sin. The outside “T’s” when opened make black crosses, telling us of the two thieves who were crucified With Christ. One thief repented, turned to Christ, and was saved. We will turn one cross over, showing the white, to remind us of how this man looked in the sight of God after being forgiven. After Paul had gone to Philippi, Lydia’s heart was
Golden Text Illustration A cts 1 6 :9
“ Sahib, we would see Jesus. My vil lage is over yonder three miles away. We have given up idolatry,.and we wish
Made with FlippingBook Annual report