titude, both of the Jews and also of the Greeks, became believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and made them ill affected towards the brethren. A long time therefore they tarried, speaking boldly [in reliance] upon the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted that signs and wonders should be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when there was an assault made, both by the Gentiles, and also by the Jews with their rulers, to ill-treat them and to stone them, they, coming to the knowledge of it, fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the country that lies round about: and there they preached the Gospel.

And there was sitting a certain man at Lystra, without power in his feet, being a cripple from his birth, who never had walked. This man heard Paul speak who, steadfastly looking upon him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet; and he leaped up, and walked. And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying, in the language 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. The priest also of Jupiter, whose image was in front of their city,† brought oxen and garlands

*There was a story in ancient times that Jupiter and Mercury once did visit the earth together, and were entertained by Lycaon, from whom the Lycaonians were supposed to be descended. This may account for their so suddenly supposing these two fabulous gods to be disguised in the persons of Paul and Barnabas.

+ Which was before the city. that the priest who officiated in was before the gates of the city.

The meaning probably is a temple of Jupiter, that

unto the gates, and wished to sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they rent their clothes, and ran out among the people, calling, and saying, Sirs,~ why do ye these things? We also are men of like feelings with you, and proclaim unto you, that ye should turn from these follies unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein, who, in times past, suffered all the heathen to walk in their own ways; nevertheless he left not himself without witness in that he did good, giving you from heaven, rain and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And, it was with difficulty, that thus speaking, they restrained the people from doing sacrifice to them.

But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium. And they, having won over the people, and stoned Paul,* drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. But, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

:

And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must, through many afflictions, enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them presbyters + in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord,

* Stoned Paul. This seems to have been done by the Jews, who persuaded the people to permit them to inflict on Paul that which was peculiarly a Jewish punishment.

+ Presbyters or Elders. A general name for those who were appointed to take charge of the churches; called so because they were usually experienced men, advanced in life.

on whom they had believed. And when they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia: and thence sailed to Antioch,* from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God, for the work which they had fulfilled.

And when they were come, and had assembled the Church, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained a long time

with the disciples.

QUESTIONS ON LESSON XII.

WHAT took place at Iconium?

What induced Paul and Barnabas to leave Iconium?
Where did they go?

What miracle was wrought at Lystra?

What effect had this miracle on the people?

Whom did they imagine Paul and Barnabas to be?

Why did Paul and Barnabas rend their clothes?

What did the people intend to do to them?
How were they prevented?

How were Paul and Barnabas afterwards treated in Lystra?

Who so treated them?

Where did they go to from Lystra ?

After leaving Derbe, where did they go?

When they returned to Perga, how did they proceed? When they arrived at Antioch in Syria, what did they do?

* Antioch. This is Antioch in Syria from whence they

set out.

Thus was finished the first missionary journey undertaken by the Apostle Paul.

LESSON XIII.

Disputation excited respecting the Gentile Christians being circumcised, and keeping the law of Moses. The assembly at Jerusalem to decide this question, and the issue of the conference.

FROM ACTS xv. 1-35.

AND certain men came down from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Unless ye be circumcised according to the institutions of Moses, ye cannot be saved. So Paul and Barnabas, having had no small contest and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, should go up to Jerusalem* unto the apostles and elders about this question. They then, being brought on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia, and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God hath done with them.

But certain believers, of the sect of the Pharisees, stood forward, saying, that it is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

* To Jerusalem.-Jerusalem would have appeared to mere politicians the most improper place that could have been selected, for the determination of this controversy, because the inhabitants of Jerusalem bad a strong worldly interest in the Gentiles being constrained to look upon that city, as the great centre of their religious worship, as it had been that of the Jews. But the result showed that the apostles acted under the direction of God, for the question being determined contrary to the worldly interests and prejudices of the people of Jerusalem, the determination acquired peculiar weight in consequence of its issuing from that city.

And the apostles and elders assembled to consider of this matter. And when there had been much discussion, Peter rose up, and said to them, Brethren, ye know how that, in the beginning,* God made a selection among us,+ that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do ye try the patience of God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that through the graces of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen to me: Simeon hath related how God at first did visit men to

*In the beginning.-i. e. the early arrangements made for preaching to the Gentiles. Peter here states the origin of the whole dispute and discussion.

+ Of us. Literally, in us, a Hebrew form of speech.

Able to bear, or carry as a burden.-No generation of the Israelites ever kept the law perfectly, so as to merit the promises which were annexed to obedience. Their failure did not originate in any impossibility or even difficulty in keeping the law, if they had been disposed to do so; but in the perversity of their hearts, and the power of temptations, which they had neither wisdom nor steadiness of principle in themselves to resist. The apostle speaks of the ceremonial law, as a load laid on them to be carried to its destination; but which they, through these causes, had failed to

carry.

§ Through the grace. Not through the law, but through the grace of the Gospel.