The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-01-22

GoiDEN TENT.-Thy word is n lamp
unto my fcet.-"s. 1Io;105.
ANALYSIS OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
Reasoning in the synagogue. Acts 1T.1-L
Dragged before the rulers ps.....Acts. 1859.
Examining the Scriptures. Acts l7:lO-l2
Driven from the city........... Acts Il :l3l6
'rlME.-Wlnter and spring \. d. 81.
PLACE-Thessalon!ca and Beroea
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Examining the Scriptures.-Th
Jews at Beroea were exceptional in
their reception of Paul's message.
They were open-minded, ready to re-
celve the truth, whether il conformed
to their previous opinions or not. But
though they accepted it with all read-
ness of mind, they did not do so until
they had searched the Scriptures for
themselves. In searching the Scrip
lures they have set us an example.
1t was 100 miles over the Roman road
from Philippi to Thessalonica. Tr,cr
the journey on the may. They pa.
through Amphipolis and Apollol "a.
perhaps because there were no Svna-
gogues there. Paul had found that it
was best to begin work with the Jews
wherever it was possible, in spite of
the fact that some of them usually
made trouble. hcssalonica. a.-modc~n
Salonica,- was then, as it is now, an
important city, and had attracted "A
large number of Jewish traders.
"Three Sabbath days." This was lust
the beginning of the work. Paul prob
ably remained about six months, and
the majority of his converts were not
Jews or persons whom he could have
reached in the synagogue, but out-and-
out Gentiles. "Reasoned from
the Scriptures: That is, from the
Old Testament. This would be effect
i've with synagogue audience but
not with the Gentiles, who knew moth
ing of the Old Testament. "Opening
and alleging:" Ramsay translates,
"opening their meaning, and quoting
to prove that it was proper that the
Anointed One the Christi should suf-
fer" etc. This idea of n suffering Mes
siah was opposed to all Jewish ideas,
and contrary to the letter of much of
their most precious prophecy, which
had told them of Messiah who should
be glorious earthly king, and give
the Jews the supreme place among the
nations. Paul showed them that they
had missed the meaning of some of the
prophecies, which spoke of just such
Messiah as Jesus, suffering and dying
for his people. "Devout Greeks:"
These were heather by birth, who had
accepted in part the Jewish faith.
The trouble arose probably after
months of successful work, the last
part of it mostly among the Greeks.
"Jews jealousy" Paul was
winning men away from their ancient
faith; he was preaching the hateful
doctrine of a crucified Messiah; he was
declaring salvation to be as free to un-
circumcised Gentiles as to them; in
spite of all they could do he was having
great success; therefore they were
JEALOUS "The rabble:" Instead of
coming out and fighting in the open,
these cowardly Jews stirred up mob
of the ritfraff of the streets to do what
they dared not do alone.
When night had fallen, and it was
safe, the two missionaries, with the
help of their faithful friends, escaped
from the city, and, leaving the Roman
road. struck out in a southwesterly di-
rection for Beroea. so miles away.
This city was probably chosen because
of its seclusion. Paul may have been
in Beroea several months. Note all
the facts given in verses 1912 about the
work of the people. But Paul's enemies
were relentless and desperate. When
they appeared at Beroea he left inn
mediately. The disciples seem to have
feared foul play of some sort, and part
bodyguard as far as Athens.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
/. 1t behooved Christ to suffer for
our sakes and that the Scriptures
might be fulfilled!
2. The Gospel does turn the "world
upside down." but that makes it come
right side up.
3. Those of noble mind will be ready
to change their opinions when con-
vinced by searching the Scriptures.
The Gospel would soon reach all
men if we were as anxious to tell the
virtues of Christ as we are to pub
lish the faults of others. - Rams
Horn.