The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-05-23
MONIES AND COMMENTs


NOTES AND COMMENTS.
The First Missionary Sermon.-Our
lesson has the special interest that it
is the first missionary sermon of which
we have any record. Paul and Barna-
bas sought the synagogues wherever
they went, for their message was first
for the Jews, who were familiar with
the Scriptures and who were expecting
the Messiah. The theme of the sermon
we are to consider is "The Goodness of
God to Israel" Paul's aim was to show
how good He had been to Israel in the
past, and that His favor to His people
had eliminated in raising Christ from
the grave for the remission of sins.
The First Sabbath.-The mission
aries had spent only few weeks in
Cyprus when they turned to Asia
Minor. Perga may have been passed
by as having no synagogue, or there
may have been other preachers there.
Marks departure was apparently due
to timidity or unwillingness to bear
hardship. Paul blamed him for it
(15:3639), but Mark afterwards re-
stored himself in the apostles estima-
ton G. Tim. AID. Antioch of Pisidia
was a town of considerable size and
commercial Importance. The custom
of the synagogue everywhere was to
invite strangers to speak Paul's adj
dress was simple review of the devel-
opment and fulfllment of Israels Mes
sianic hope Tvs. 1925, followed by a
more personal application in which the
speaker pointed out the opportunity
opened through Jesus resurrection to
those who would accept Him Tvs. &C.
81. Finally, he pointed out that the
message of Jesus Messiahship was a
message of pardon and peace, such as
could be attained in no other way, and
such as must not be neglected.
The Second Sabbath.-The week fol-
lowing the first address was spent by
the apostles in teaching the Jews who
came to them for instruction. The
teaching made a sensation in the city,
and Gentiles as well as Jews gathered
to hear Paul speak. 1t was the pres
ence of the Gentiles that reused the
Jews to opposition. "Blasphemed"
means that they brought accusations
against the character of the speakers
and of Jesus. The apostles reply rec
ognized the right of the Jews to be APP
preached first, but declared that re-
lection of the Gospel did not discredit
the Gospel; it simply showed that the
Jews had failed to meet the test which
the Gospel brought to them. The turn
ing to the Gentiles was local and tenn
porary. Athens is the only place so far
as we know in which Paul made his first
address to a non-Jewish audience. His
policy always was to make an appeal to
Jews, followed by the inclusion of GEN
tiles when the Jews would permit it,
or by forsaking the Jews for the GEN
tiles when that course was necessary.
The work among the Gentiles of An
tioch was successful not only in imme-
date results, but also in the aggressive
activity of the converts.
The Persecution.-Jews won many
Roman women of wealth and social
standing to believe in their doctrines.
They were thus able to exercise a great
indirect influence on public affairs.
Such influence they now used in An
tioch to cause the rulers of the city to
Danish Paul and Barnabas. The action
of the apostles was in accordance with
the commands of Christ Matt 1914,
23). The journey to Iconium was some
so or 60 miles.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
The Gospel is a revelation of the
goodness of God in providing way for
the remission of sins.
The Gospel carries the good tidings
of living and loving God to those who
are worshiping cruel idols.
The Gospel proclaims the good It'd
ings of eternal life where there is no
sorrow. or pain, or crying.
Those who thrust the Gospel away
judge themselves to be unworthy of
eternal life.