CHAPTER VI
The aim of this Handbook, as of The Life of Jesus Christ in the same series, being to show at a single glance the general course of the life and the principal objects it touched, a good many details have been omitted. This is especially the case in this chapter and in chapter x. The omissions cause those great features to stand out more prominently which details are apt to obscure. In this chapter an endeavor has been made to show in this way what were the different regions into which the apostle traveled, and what the peculiarities and the extent of the work he did in each. But in an extended Bible Class course the lessons will naturally go more into detail, and perhaps the incidents which took place in each town may generally form a lesson. Here, therefore, and at the beginning of chap. x., a few hints may be given of the viewpoints for the lessons, in so far as these are not already supplied in the text.
Acts xiii. 1-12. First Footsteps of Christian Missions.
" " 14-52. Antioch. Paul's Missionary Method.
" xiv. 1-6. Iconium. Among the Jews.
" " 6-20. Lystra. Among the Heathens.
" " 21-28. Paul as a Pastor.
" xv. Paul as an Ecclesiastic.
Acts xvi. 1-6. The New Companion.
" " 6-10. Opening up Virgin Soil.
" " 12-40. Philippi. Transfiguration and Disfiguration of Humanity.
" xvii. 1-9. Thessalonica. An Honorable Reproach.
" " 10-14. Beroea. Rare Freedom from Prejudice.
" " 15-34. Athens. The Gospel and Intellectual Curiosity.
" xviii. 1-3. Corinth. Paul's earthly Home.
" " 4-17. The Missionary's Discouragements and Encouragements.
" " 23-28. A polished Shaft in God's Quiver.
" xix. Ephesus. See the text. Also, Conflict of Christianity with Vested
Interests and Mob Violence.
79. Howson's Companions of St. Paul.
81. A minute inspection of Acts xiii. 9 will confirm the view here given of the change of name, though it is difficult to get rid of the idea that the conversion of the governor, who bore the same name, had something to do with it.
84. On the worship of the synagogue see Farrar's Life of Christ, i. 220.
89. On the Council of Jerusalem, which took place between the first and second journeys, see ch. ix.
93. What is here said of the plan of the Acts explains still more strikingly the meagerness of the record of the third journey.
97. Beroea was to the south of the Via Egnatia.
99. Subject of class essay: The Influence of Christianity on the Lot of Woman.
103. Subject of class essay: Paul at Athens.
104. Subject of class essay: Paul and Socrates.
113. A strong argument against the mythical theory of the miracles of our Lord may be constructed from the paucity of the miracles attributed to Paul. If that age naturally wove miraculous legends round great names, why did it not encircle Paul with a continuous web of miracle? and why does the New Testament admit that the Baptist worked no miracle?
114. See Ramsay, Letters to the Seven Churches.
79. Give a list of Paul's companions and friends mentioned in the New Testament.
84. What were the charges generally brought against him before the authorities?
91. Where in his writings does he mention Barnabas and Mark?
93. Give the places in Acts where the items of this catalogue are recorded.
94. Mention other classical associations of this region.
98. What two kings of Macedonia are famous in history?
102. Expand these allusions to Greek history.
103. Give a number of the names associated with the golden age of Athens and mention what they were famous for.
108. Find out all the visions mentioned in Paul's life, and prove that they were given him at the crises of his history.
110. Distinguish our Asia and Asia Minor from the Asia of the New Testament.