and hence were compelled to bring Jesus before Pilate (John 18. 28-32).
Notice that the Jews condemned Jesus on one ground, but accused him
before Pilate on another (Matt. 26. 65, 66; Luke 23. 2). The dialogue of
Pilate with Jesus is given in John 18. 29-37. Pilate declared Christ's
innocence and proposed that he should be released, but the people still
demanded that he should be put to death.
5. =Jesus before Herod.= Pilate was unwilling to take the responsibility
either of putting to death an innocent man or of offending the Jews by
releasing him. He therefore sent him to Herod. But Herod also refused to
judge the case and after mocking Jesus sent him back to Pilate (Luke 23.
6-11).
6. =Jesus Condemned to Death.= After Jesus was brought back Pilate still
endeavored to save his life. But instead of setting him free at once as
an innocent man he proposed to release him as an act of good feeling at
the Passover festival. The Jews chose Barabbas and rejected Jesus; and
at last Pilate gave unwilling sentence that Jesus should be crucified.
He was then delivered to the soldiers to be mocked and tortured (Luke
23. 13-25).
7. =Jesus Bearing his Cross.= On the way from Pilate's palace to Calvary
Jesus was compelled to carry one of the beams of his own cross (John 19.
17). A part of the way his cross was carried by a man named Simon, of
Cyrene, in Africa (Mark 15. 21).
8. =Jesus on the Cross.= At Calvary Jesus was fastened to the cross by
nails through his hands and feet (Luke 23. 33; John 20. 25). He was
crucified at nine o'clock in the morning and lived until three o'clock
in the afternoon (Mark 15. 25-34). The stupefying potion offered to him
before he was crucified (Mark 15. 23). Note the four versions of the
superscription (Matt. 27. 37; Mark 15. 26; Luke 23. 38; John 19. 19).
The witnesses (John 19. 25).
9. =The Seven Words from the Cross.= The first word (Luke 23. 34). The
second word (John 19. 26, 27). The third word (Luke 23. 43). The fourth
word (Matt. 27. 46). The fifth word (John 19. 28). The sixth word (John
19. 30). The seventh word (Luke 23. 46).
10. =The Death on the Cross.= The fact (Mark 15. 37). A remarkable
testimony (Mark 15. 39). A remarkable event (Matt. 27. 51-53). An
evidence of his death (John 19. 32-35).
11. =The Burial.= Why the body was taken away (John 19. 31). How it was
obtained (John 19. 38). The preparation (John 19. 39, 40). The place of
burial (Matt. 27. 59, 60). The witnesses (Matt. 27. 61). The sealing of
the tomb (Matt. 27. 62-66).
Blackboard Outline
DAY OF CRUCIFIXION
I. =Gen. Vie.= 1. On. Da. 2. Ev. Da. 3. Imp. Da.
II. =Pla.= 1. Gar. Geth. 2. H. P. Ho. 3. Pil. Pal. 4. Her. Pal.
5. Cal. Gol.
III. =Jour.= 1. Geth. H.-p. Ho. 2. H.-p Ho. Pil. Pal. 3. Pil. Pal.
Her. Pal. Re. 4. Pil. Pal. Calv.
IV. =Events.= 1. Betr. 2. J. bef. Ann. 3. J. bef. Cai. 4. J. bef.
Pil. 5. J. bef. Her. 6. J. Con. Dea. 7. J. Bear. Cro. 8. J.
on Cro. 9. Sev. Wo. Cro. 10. De. Cro. 11. Bur.
Questions for Review
How long was this period? What was its date in the
Jewish year? What shows that it was an eventful day?
Why was this the most important day in the world's
history? What are the five places named in this
period? State the probable location of each place.
Name four journeys of this period. Name eleven events
of this period. Before what rulers was Jesus brought
for examination or trial? State the seven utterances
of Jesus on the cross. What took place at the moment
of Jesus's death? Why was the body buried so soon? Why
was the tomb sealed? Who witnessed the burial?
TENTH STUDY
The Forty Days of Resurrection
From the Resurrection to the Ascension of Christ
I. =The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection.= Strange as the resurrection
may appear to men in general, and unexpected as it was to the disciples
of Jesus, it was the necessary completion of his work on earth.
1. It was necessary =from the nature of Christ=. A divine man, it was
impossible that he should be held in the grave (Acts 2. 24). His
resurrection showed that he was the Son of God (Rom. 1. 4).
2. It was necessary =for the fulfillment of prophecy=. Jesus himself
declared that the prophecies pointed to his resurrection (Luke 24. 45,
46). The apostles constantly appealed to the Old Testament prophecies
(Acts 13. 34, 35; 26. 22, 23; 1 Cor. 15. 4).
3. It was necessary for the =work of redemption=. He lived as our
example, and he must appear before God as our high priest and mediator
(Rom. 4. 25; 8. 34; 1 Cor. 15. 17).
4. It was necessary for the =faith of the disciples=. If Christ had not
risen the world would never have heard of his life and the church would
never have existed (1 Cor. 15. 19, 20; 1 Pet. 1. 3).
5. It was necessary to =attest Christ's authority=. But for the
resurrection the name of Jesus could have possessed no more weight than
any other name. Raised from the dead he has all power (Matt. 28. 18;
Acts 13. 33; 17. 31).
6. It was necessary as a =pledge of our resurrection=. If Christ rose we
too shall rise (Acts 26. 23; 1 Cor. 15. 12, 20-23).
II. =The Fact of Christ's Resurrection.=
1. =It was proved by the testimony of witnesses.= See Acts 1. 3; 2. 32.
The conduct of the disciples before and after the resurrection was in
itself a proof. Before they were in sorrow (Mark 16. 10; Luke 24. 17).
Afterward they were glad (Luke 24. 52; John 20. 20). The Christian
Church to-day is the best evidence; for without the resurrection it
could never have been established.
2. =It was effected by the power of God.= (Acts 3. 15; Rom. 8. 11; Eph.
1. 20). Jesus speaks of his own power in connection with this (John 2.
19; 10. 18). The Holy Spirit is also mentioned as raising Christ from
the dead (1 Peter 3. 18).
3. It took place =on the first day of the week=. (Mark 16. 9). In
commemoration of this event the first day of the week was observed by
the early Church (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 16. 2). The name given to this day
(Rev. 1. 10).
4. It took place on =the third day after his death=. The body of Jesus
was in the grave between thirty and thirty-six hours--from sunset on
Friday to daybreak on Sunday. But in the Jewish notation of time this
was three days (Luke 24. 46; Acts 10. 40; 1 Cor. 15. 4).
III. =The Ten Appearances of Jesus after his Resurrection.= It is not
easy, perhaps not possible, to harmonize precisely all the accounts in
the gospels and in 1 Cor. 15. 4-7. But the best authorities unite in the
following order of the manifestations of Christ between the resurrection
and the ascension:
1. =To Mary Magdalene= (Mark 16. 9). This was at the sepulcher, very
soon after the resurrection. Several women went to the sepulcher, found
it open, and were told by an angel that Jesus had risen. They went to
bear the news to the disciples (Mark 16. 1-8; Matt. 28. 1-8; Luke 24.
1-10). Mary Magdalene returned after the rest had gone and saw the risen
Lord (John 20. 1-18). Notice that this Mary is to be carefully
distinguished from Mary of Bethany, John 11. 2, and from the unnamed
woman in Luke 7. 37.
2. =To the other women= (Matt. 28. 9). This was near the sepulcher, a
few minutes later than the first appearance. The names of these women
(Mark 16. 1; Luke 24. 10).
3. =To two disciples= (Luke 24. 13-32). The place where Jesus was
revealed (Luke 24. 13). The name of Luke's probable informant (Luke 24.
18).
4. =To Peter= (Luke 24. 33, 34; 1 Cor. 15. 5). This was in Jerusalem.
What took place at this meeting has not been revealed.
5. =To ten disciples= (Luke 24. 36-43). Another account in John 20.
19-25. This was in the upper room in Jerusalem, where the Last Supper
had been partaken, and it was on the evening of the day of
resurrection.
6. =To eleven disciples= (John 20. 26-29). This was in the same place a
week later.
7. =To seven disciples= at the Sea of Galilee (John 21. 1-22). At this
interview Peter was reinstated in his apostleship.
8. =To five hundred disciples= (1 Cor. 15. 6). This was the official
manifestation of Christ appointed before his death (Matt. 26. 32; 28.
16). It took place "on the mountain" (Rev. Ver.), probably where the
Sermon on the Mount was preached. At this time the great commission was
given (Matt. 28. 18-20).
9. =To James= (1 Cor. 15. 7). Nothing is known about this meeting. The
relationship of James to Jesus (Mark 6. 3; Gal. 1. 19). Allusions to him
in Acts 15. 13; 21. 18. His epistle (James 1. 1). Probably this
appearance was in Jerusalem (Acts 1. 14).
10. =The Ascension= (Luke 24. 50-53; Acts 1. 9). This was at Bethany, on
the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives (Acts 1. 12). The promise at
his departure (Acts 1. 10, 11).
This list of appearances should be carefully memorized and the place of
each noted on the map, with its circumstances and events.
IV. =The Traits of the Risen Christ.= There were some respects in which
Jesus after his resurrection was the same as he had been before; but
there were also some essential differences.
1. =He was the very same Jesus.= It was not a spirit, a disembodied
ghost, which appeared to the disciples. He possessed personal identity,
and was the living one whom the disciples had known before. See Luke 24.
39, 40; John 20. 27.
2. =He appeared only occasionally.= He did not come to remain with his
people, for it was better for them that he should go away (John 16. 7).
He manifested himself after his resurrection often enough to strengthen
faith, but not enough to lead his disciples to lean upon his presence.
3. =He appeared to his disciples only= (Acts 10. 40, 41). Why he did not
appear to unbelievers (Luke 16. 31). His personal ministry was ended,
and henceforth he was to speak to men through his messengers (2 Cor. 5.
19, 20).
4. =He possessed a spiritual body.= There is a spiritual body (1 Cor.
15. 40-44). Christ possessed such a body, uncontrolled by physical law,
but dominated by the spirit. He came and went at will (Luke 24. 36; John
20. 19). He withheld himself from recognition or permitted it as he
chose (Luke 24. 15, 16; 24. 30, 31; John 20. 14-16; 21. 4-7). With us
the body limits the spirit; with him the spirit controlled the body.
5. =He recognized individuals= after his resurrection. The grave had not
blotted out his memory of the past nor of his personal regard for
people. He called his friends by name after his resurrection (Matt. 28.
10; John 20. 16; 20. 26; 21. 15). He showed the same spirit of
affection, of tenderness, and of patience with the mistakes of his
followers as he had shown during his earthly life. His gentleness toward
a sorrowing woman (John 20. 11-15). His kindness toward a doubting
disciple (John 20. 24-29). His forgiveness of a denying disciple (John
21. 15-19). Such were the traits which he bore away from earth, and such
are the traits which he bears still on his throne.
Blackboard Outline
THE FORTY DAYS OF RESURRECTION
I. =Nec. Chr. Res.= 1. Nat. Ch. 2. Ful. pro. 3. Wo. red. 4. Fai.
dis. 5. Att. Chr. auth. 6. Pl. ou. res.
II. =Fac. Chr. Res.= 1. Pro. tes. wit. 2. Eff. pow. G. 3. Fir. da.
we. 4. Th. d. af. de.
III. =Ten. App. Je. af. Res.= 1. Ma. Mag. [Sep.] 2. Oth. wom. [Sep.]
3. Tw. dis. [Emm.] 4. Pet. [Jer.] 5. Ten dis. [Jer.] 6. Elev.
dis. [Jer.] 7. Sev. dis. [Sea Gal.] 8. Fiv. hun. dis.
[Mt. Gal.] 9. Jas. [Jer.] 10. Asc. [Beth.]
IV. =Tra. Ris. Chr.= 1. Ver. sa. Jes. 2. Ap. on occ. 3. To dis.
on. 4. Pos. spir. bod. 5. Rec. ind.
Questions for Review
Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ a necessity?
What proves the fact of the resurrection? How was the
resurrection effected? When did it take place? How
long after the death of Jesus was his resurrection?
How many times did Jesus appear after his
resurrection? To whom did he appear first? What were
the circumstances of this appearance? What were the
five appearances on the day of resurrection? Name the
instances when Jesus appeared during the forty days
after the resurrection day. What were the traits of
the risen Christ? What was the nature of his body
after his resurrection?
ELEVENTH STUDY
The New Testament World
We have seen that the life of Jesus Christ while on earth was limited to
the land of Palestine. But in a few years the church founded by his
apostles overstepped the boundaries of that land; and its scope became
world-wide. Therefore as we begin the history of the Early Church it
becomes necessary for us to study =the New Testament World=.
Comparing the maps before us with that of the Old Testament World we
find that in the four centuries between the events of the Old and New
Testaments the dominion of the world passed from Asia to Europe, and
Jerusalem, which had been in the center, became one of the cities upon
the extreme east. Hence our map moves with the course of the empire
westward a thousand miles.
I. We draw the outlines of the most important =Seas=. These are:
1. The =Mediterranean Sea=, from its eastern limits as far west as
Italy. Voyages on it are referred to in Acts 9. 30; 13. 4; 21. 1, 2; 27.
3.
2. The =Sea of Galilee=, associated with the life of Christ. Find its
three different names in Matt. 15. 29; John 6. 1; Luke 5. 1.
3. The =Dead Sea=, not named in the New Testament.
4. The =Black Sea=, north of Asia Minor.
5. The =Ægean Sea=, between Asia Minor and Greece. Voyages upon it (Acts
16. 11; 18. 18; 20. 13-15).
6. The =Adriatic Sea=, between Greece and Italy (Acts 27. 27).
II. In these seas are many =Islands=, of which we name five of the most
noteworthy in New Testament history:
1. =Cyprus=, in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean (Acts 4. 36;
13. 4).
2. =Crete=, south of the Ægean Sea, between Asia Minor and Greece (Acts
27. 7; Titus 1. 5).
3. =Patmos=, in the Ægean Sea, not far from Ephesus (Rev. 1. 9).
4. =Sicily=, southwest of Italy (Acts 28. 12).
5. =Melita=, now Malta, south of Sicily (Acts 28. 1).
III. We locate the different =Provinces=, arranging them in four groups.
[Illustration: MAP OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD]
1. Those on the continent of =Europe= are: 1.) =Thrace.= 2.) =Macedonia=
(Acts 14. 9, 10; 20. 1-3). 3.) =Greece=, also called =Achaia= (Acts 18.
12; 20. 3). 4.) =Illyricum= (Rom. 15. 19). 5.) =Italy= (Acts 27. 1).
2. Those on the continent of =Africa= are: 1.) =Africa Proper.= 2.)
=Libya= (Acts 2. 10) 3.) =Egypt= (Matt. 2. 13).
3. Those on the continent of =Asia=, exclusive of Asia Minor, are: 1.)
=Arabia=, perhaps referring to the desert region southeast of Palestine
(Gal. 1. 17). 2.) =Judea=, the Jewish name for all Palestine, in the New
Testament period (Luke 1. 5). 3.) =Phoenicia= (Mark 7. 24; Acts 15. 3;
21. 2). 4.) =Syria=, north of Palestine (Acts 15. 41; 20. 3).
4. The provinces in =Asia Minor= are so frequently mentioned in the Acts
and Epistles that it is necessary for the student to learn their names
and locations. We divide the fourteen provinces into four groups.
(_a_) Three on the Black Sea, beginning on the east.
1.) =Pontus= (Acts 18. 2). 2.) =Paphlagonia.= 3.)
=Bithynia= (Peter 1. 1).
(_b_) Three on the Ægean Sea, beginning on the north.
4.) =Mysia= (Acts 16. 7). 5.) =Lydia.= 6.) =Caria.=
These three provinces together formed the district
known as "Asia" (Acts 2. 9; 19. 10).
(_c_) Three on the Mediterranean Sea, beginning on the
west. 7.) =Lycia= (Acts 27. 5). 8.) =Pamphylia= (Acts
13. 13). 9.) =Cilicia= (Acts 21. 39).
(_d_) Five in the interior. 10.) On the north,
=Galatia= (Gal. 1. 2). 11.) On the east, =Cappadocia=
(Acts 2. 9). 12.) On the southeast, =Lycaonia= (Acts
14. 6). 13.) On the southwest, =Pisidia= (Acts 13.
14). 14.) On the west =Phrygia= (Acts 16. 6).
IV. We notice the twelve most important =Places=.
1. =Alexandria=, the commercial metropolis of Egypt (Acts 18. 24).
2. =Jerusalem=, the religious capital of the Jewish world (Matt. 4. 5;
Luke 24. 47).
3. =Cæsarea=, the Roman capital of Judea (Acts 10. 1; 23. 23, 24).
4. =Damascus=, in the southern part of Syria (Acts 19. 3).
5. =Antioch=, the capital of Syria, in the north (Acts 11. 26; 13. 1).
6. =Tarsus=, the birthplace of St. Paul, in Cilicia (Acts 22. 3).
7. =Ephesus=, the metropolis of Asia Minor, in the province of Lydia
(Acts 19. 1).
8. =Philippi=, in Macedonia, where the gospel was first preached in
Europe (Acts 16. 12).
9. =Thessalonica=, the principal city in Macedonia (Acts 17. 1; Thess 1.
1).
10. =Athens=, the literary center of Greece (Acts 17. 16).
11. =Corinth=, the political capital of Greece (Acts 18. 1-12).
12. =Rome=, the imperial city (Acts 28. 16; Rom. 1. 7).
Other lands and places are referred to as Elam, Parthia, and Media, all
east of the Euphrates river (Acts 2. 9). Ethiopia, south of Egypt in
Africa (Acts 8. 27), and Babylon on the Euphrates (1 Peter 5. 13); but
these places are outside the general history of the church.
Hints to the Teacher and Her Class. Eleventh Study
In teaching this lesson let the conductor sketch the
outline of the map upon the board and drill upon the
seas; then draw and name the islands; then drill upon
the provinces, etc. Review until the lesson is learned
by all the class.
The student should search all the references and be
able to state the events connected with each locality.
It would be well for the student to find additional
Scripture references to all the localities.
Let each student practice the drawing of the map at
home, until he can draw it without copy. Then, in
presence of the class, let one student draw on the
blackboard in presence of the class the boundary lines
of the continents; or one the boundary line in Asia;
another in Europe; and a third in Africa. Then let
another draw and name the islands; and others locate
and name the provinces in Asia, Europe, and Africa;
and finally let the twelve cities be located and
named.
Blackboard Outline
I. =Se.= Med. Gal. De. Bl. Æg. Adr.
II. =Isl.= Cyp. Cre. Pat. Sic. Mel.
III. =Prov.= 1. =Eur.= Thr. Mac. Gre. (Ach.) Ill. It. 2. =Afr.=
Af.-Pr. Lib. Eg. 3. =Asi.= Ar. Jud. Phoe. Syr. 4. =As. Min.=
(_a_) Pon. Paph. Bit. (_b_) Mys. Lyd. Car. (_c_) Lyc. Pam. Cil.
(_d_) Gal. Cap. Lyc. Pi. Ph.
IV. =Pla.= Alex. Jer. Cæs. Dam. Ant. Tar. Eph. Phi. Thes. Ath. Cor.
Ro.
Questions for Review
What difference is to be noted between the map of the
Old Testament world and that of the New? Name six seas
in the New Testament world. State the location of
each of these seas. Name five islands in the New
Testament world. Give the location of each island.
Name in order the provinces in Europe in the New
Testament world. Name the provinces in Africa. Name
the provinces in Asia, exclusive of Asia Minor. Name
the provinces of Asia Minor bordering on the Black
Sea. Name the provinces on the Ægean Sea. Name the
provinces on the Mediterranean Sea. Name and locate
each of the interior provinces. What city of the New
Testament world was in Africa? What cities were in
Judea and Syria? What cities were in Asia Minor? What
cities were in Europe?
TWELFTH STUDY
The Synagogue
Before beginning the history of the Early Church, we must study one
institution which formed an important link between the Old Testament and
the New; and more than any other institution prepared the way for the
gospel throughout the Jewish world. That institution was the synagogue.
I. =Its Origin.= The synagogue arose during the captivity, when the
Temple was in ruins and the sacrifices were in abeyance. In the land of
captivity the people of God met for worship and fellowship, and out of
their meeting grew the synagogue, a word meaning "a coming together." It
is believed that the institution was organized as a part of the Jewish
system by Ezra, B. C. 440.
II. =Its Universality.= There was but one temple, standing on Mount
Moriah, and only those who journeyed thither could attend its services.
But the synagogue was in every place where the Jews dwelt, both in
Palestine and throughout the world. Wherever ten Jewish heads of
families could be found there a synagogue would be established. There
were four hundred and sixty synagogues in Jerusalem; and every
nationality of Jews had its own (Acts 6. 9).
III. =The Place of Meeting.= This might be a building erected for the
purpose, or a hired room, or even a place in the open air (Acts 16. 13).
This meeting place was employed for secular as well as religious uses.
Courts were held in it, and sentence was administered (Acts 22. 19), and
sometimes a school for teaching the law was held in it. Thus the
synagogue became a center of local influence.
IV. =Its Arrangement.= Every ancient synagogue contained:
1. _An_ "_ark_," which was the chest for the sacred rolls, and stood in
the end of the building toward Jerusalem.
2. _Chief seats_, elevated, near and around the "ark," for the elders
and leading men (Matt. 23. 6).
3. A desk for the reader standing upon a platform.
4. Places for the worshipers, carefully graded according to rank, the
Gentile visitors having seats near the door of entrance.
5. A lattice gallery where women could worship without being seen.
V. =Its Officers.= These were:
1. Three _rulers of the synagogue_, who directed the worship, managed
the business details, and possessed a limited judicial authority over
the Jews in the district (Mark 4. 22; Acts 13. 15). One of these was the
presiding officer, and called "_the_ ruler."
2. The _chazzan_ (Luke 4. 20, "the minister"), who united the functions
of clerk, schoolmaster, sexton, and constable to administer sentence on
offenders.
3. The _batlanim_, "men of ease," seven men who were chosen to act as a
legal congregation, were pledged to be present at the regular services,
and sometimes received a small fee for being present.
VI. =Its Services.= These were held on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday,
and were conducted by the members in turn, several taking part in each
service. They consisted of:
1. Forms of prayer, conducted by a leader, with the responses by the
worshipers.
2. Reading of selections from the law and the prophets, according to an
appointed order (Acts 15. 21). The reading was in Hebrew, but it was
translated, verse by verse, into the language of the people, whether
Greek or Aramaic.
3. Exposition or comment upon the Scripture, in which any member might
take part (Luke 4. 20, 21; Acts 13. 15, 16).
VII. =Its Influence.= It is easy to perceive how widely and how
powerfully the results of such an institution would reach.
1. It perpetuated the worship of God and united the worshipers.
2. It supplied a more thoughtful and spiritual worship than the
elaborate ritual of the Temple.
3. It promoted the study of the Old Testament Scriptures and made them
thoroughly familiar to every Jew.
4. It attracted the devout and intelligent among the Gentiles, many of
whom became worshipers of God and were known as "proselytes of the gate"
(Acts 10. 1, 2).
VIII. =Its Preparation for the Gospel.= It is evident that the apostles
and early Christian teachers were greatly aided by the synagogue.
1. It furnished a _place_; for everywhere the church began in the
synagogue, even though it soon left it (Acts 13. 5; 18. 4; 19. 8).
2. It prepared a _people_; for the synagogue was attended by the earnest
and thoughtful, both of Jews and Gentiles, who were thus made ready for
the higher truths of the gospel (Acts 13. 42, 43).
3. It supplied a _plan of service_; for it is evident that the early
Christian worship was modeled, not on the ritual of the Temple, but on
the simpler forms of the synagogue.
4. It gave a _system of organization_; for the Government of the early
church was similar to, and doubtless suggested by, that of the
synagogue.
Blackboard Outline
I. =Ori.= Cap. Ez. B. C. 440.
II. =Univ.= 10 fam. 460 Jer.
III. =Pl. Meet.= Buil. ro. op. air. sec. us.
IV. =Arr.= 1. Ark. 2. Ch. sea. 3. Desk. 4. Pla. wor. 5. Gal.
V. =Off.= 1. Rul. 2. Chaz. 3. Batl.
VI. =Serv.= 1. Pr. 2. Read. Ser. 3. Exp.
VII. =Inf.= 1. Per. wor. 2. Spir. wor. 3. St. O. T. 4. Attr. Gen.
VIII. =Prep. Gosp.= 1. Pla. 2. Peo. 3. Ser. 4. Org.
Review Questions