16. What conception of Christ, accordingly, is especially prominent in this gospel? (19: 10.)

17. Mention some parables and incidents, peculiar to Luke's narrative. which emphasize the universality of the gospel.

10:29-37.

15:1-7.

15:11-24.

18: 9-14.

19: 1-10.

18. From these facts regarding Luke's gospel, what may we infer as to the attitude of the church toward the Gentiles when it was written? What conflict had been fought and what victory won (see Lessons 22 and 28)?

5. The Gospel According to John. Scattered References. 19. What was John's purpose in writing his gospel? (Jo. 20: 30, 31.)

20. Upon which side, then, of the two-fold nature of Christ does he lay especial stress? (1:1-5, 14; 5: 16–29; 8:56–58; 17:5, etc.)

21. What does he represent as the aim of Christ's mission in the world? (3:16; 10:10; 11:25, 26; 17:2.)

22. From these facts regarding John's gospel, what may we infer as to the condition of the church when it was written? (See Note 102, 5, and Expl. Note on I: 1.)

Fifty-two.

The History of The Apostolic Church.

197

23. What do these glimpses of the four gospels teach as to the progress Mention some of the ways in which confirmed by the other books of the What was the supreme object for

of Christianity in the apostolic age?
these inferences from the gospels are
New Testament as already studied.
which the apostles labored and taught? (Jo. 20:31.)

TOPICS FOR SPECIAL INVESTIGATION AND THOUGHT.

1. Origin of the term gospel. 2. The four gospels: their distinctive characteristics. 3. Their real unity. 4. The relation of the four gospels one to another. 5. Early traditions concerning the composition of the gospels. 6. The apocryphal gospels.

Lesson 52. REVIEW OF LESSONS 40-51; AND A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE COURSE.

Note 103.-SUMMARY OF EVENTS IN LESSONS 40-51. The lessons of this quarter cover the period from Paul's arrival in Rome until the end of the apostolic age, or from about A.D. 66 to 100.

Paul was held a prisoner in Rome for at least two years. During this time he wrote the epistle to the Philippians, and probably those to Philemon, the Colossians and the Ephesians, although some suppose that the latter three were written in Cæsarea. The four together are called the Epistles of the Imprisonment. The first was Paul's grateful response to the gifts of the Philippians, which afforded him much needed help.. The second was a personal note to Philemon, in behalf of Onesimus, his runaway slave. Colossians was occasioned by certain philosophical heresies that, under the guise of superior wisdom, threatened to undermine the supremacy of Christ and the entire gospel scheme of redemption. Ephesians was directed in part against the same error but also showed, in behalf of Gentile believers, that Gentiles and Jews are one in Christ, and that both are essential to the completeness of the church.

That Paul was liberated and preached the gospel for some time, after which he was again imprisoned and suffered martyrdom, seems to be indicated by the three Pastoral epistles, I and 2 Timothy and Titus.

The event of most importance to the church during this period was the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Jewish nation by the Romans in A.D. 70. The books of Revelation and Hebrews and possibly Matthew were occasioned or colored by it. The first of these comforted Christians by picturing the church's ultimate victory over all hostile powers, while the second taught Jewish Christians that since Christ had appeared the passing away of the Temple and the sacrifices was inevitable. Of the other New Testament books, Mark and 1 Peter were very likely written between A.D. 67 and 69, but possibly some years earlier. Jude and 2 Peter perhaps belong also between A.D. 67 and 69, but the evidence regarding this is not clear. Luke and the Acts were probably written a few years after the destruction of Jerusalem, while the gospel and the epistles of John, the latest New Testament writing, probably date from the last decade of the century. The death of John, perhaps at Ephesus, closed the apostolic age.

This was a period of much disturbance and civil war. It was also a time of severe trial for Christians, both from heresies within the church and from persecutions without. Before the close of this period the influence of Christianity was widely felt in the Roman empire, and the foundations were laid for its establishment two centuries later on the throne of the Cæsars.

GOLDEN TEXT: "The word of the Lord abideth for ever." (1 Pet. I: 25.)

SCRIPTURE, to be read in school or class: Rev. 7:9-17.

(In place of the above passage an exceedingly profitable responsive reading may be made of the Biblical Catechism, pp. iv, v, in the Introduction.)

REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSONS 40-51.

1. What was Paul's condition while a prisoner in Rome? Name the four Epistles of the Imprisonment, and tell the occasion and purpose of each. How does the epistle to the Ephesians differ from that to the Colossians?

2. Name the Pastoral epistles. if visited by Paul in the interval imprisonments? What was the

ment?

What places are mentioned in them as between his first and second Roman probable issue of his second imprison

3. What is the title of Part V, and how many years does it cover? What was the leading event of this period, and how did it influence the New Testament writings?

4. To whom was the first epistle of Peter written, and why? What other epistle has much in common with the second epistle of Peter, and against what evils were they both directed?

5. How does the book of Revelation differ in character from the other books of the New Testament? What is its general teaching? What may we infer from it regarding the condition of the churches in Asia after the death of Paul?

Mention

6. What is the chief purpose of the epistle to the Hebrews? at least three things which it proves about Christ. What does it teach about faith?

7. What three epistles were probably the latest writings of the New Testament? What do we learn from the gospels regarding the condition of the church when they were written?

GENERAL REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE COURSE.

8. QUESTIONS ON PART I. When and where was the first great outpouring of the Spirit on the disciples? How did these early Christians live together? By whom were they soon opposed?

9. QUESTIONS ON PART II. By what event were the early Christians scattered abroad? What most notable convert was made about this time? Who was the first Gentile convert of whom we have record? Where and how was the first Gentile church founded? Who was the leading apostle up to this time? Who, afterwards?

Map of Countries Visited by St. Paul on his Missionary Journeys.

10. QUESTIONS ON PART III. What regions did Paul visit on his first missionary journey? What was the occasion of the council at Jerusalem? On this What regions did Paul visit on the second missionary journey? journey, what two epistles were written from Corinth, and why? What occasioned the epistle to the Galatians? Where did Paul labor for three years on his third journey, and with what success? What epistle was written there, and why? Where was the second epistle to the same church written? What epistle was written shortly afterwards at Corinth, What route and why? Why did Paul return to Jerusalem at this time? did he take? What great conflict within the church marked this period?

II. QUESTIONS ON PART IV. Describe briefly Paul's arrest, trials, and journey to Rome. What four epistles did he write during his imprisonment, and what was the special object of each? What do we infer concerning Paul from the Pastoral epistles? What great persecution arose during this period? What great conflict began in the church?

12. QUESTIONS ON PART V. What part of the apostolic period is included in this Part? What were its general characteristics (Note 103)?

13. GENERAL QUESTIONS. In surveying the history of the apostolic church as a whole, what two or three events do you regard as of surpassing importance? What evidences of divine power and guidance do you see in the establishment and growth of the church? What are the fundamental doctrines of Christianity as taught by the apostles?

Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen.

THE END.