The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1909-07-16
Paul's Second
Journey Continued

Specially Arranged for This Paper

GOLDEN ~TEXT.-'"Thy word have 1
hid In mine heart, that / might not sin
against thee."-Psa. 1911.
TIME.-Paul was at Thessalonica five
or six months, December, A. d.. 80. to
May, 81, and in Berea from May, A. d.
81, to August.
PLACE,-At Thessalonica, 100 miles
west OF Philippi, now called Salonica; the
largest city of Macedonia, In Roumella,
Turkey.
Suggestion and Practical Thought.
Teaching the Scriptures at Thessa-
lonica.-Vs. 10. When Paul, Silas
and Timothy were driven from Philip
pi they travelled southwest along the
great military road which leads to
Rome. At the end of thirty-three
thirty miles further along they came
to Apollonia. AS neither city was of
much Importance the three mis-
sionaries continued their journey on
to Thessalonica, thirty-seven miles
distant, on the gulf Of Salonica in
Macedonia.
Here was a Jewish synagogue, and
an easy opening for preaching the
gospel. They remained in the syna-
gogue for three weeks until finally
driven away by the Jews. Then they
took up their headquarters with Jonas,
just outside Of the synagogue circle.
Here Paul formed the nucleus of a
large and flourishing church, chiefly
composed of Gentiles, and, although
he supported himself in part by work
ing with his own hands, yet he re-
NAMED long enough to receive help
twice from Philippi.
Paul had four methods of teaching
the Bible to the people. First, he
reasoned with them out of the
Scriptures" basing his reasoning on
true facts, which they accepted. Sec.
ond, he unfolded the truths Of the
Scriptures, and pointed out things
they had not noticed, OF applications
which they had not understood. Paul
was to them like the expert who
points out to the poor farmer the rich
mines of gold and silver beneath the
surface. Third, he compared the
scripture with scripture and with
facts. Especially did he show that
Christ had suffered. This description
was one of the greatest difficulties in
the Jewish mind. 1t seemed impos.
sible hat the victorious king, who
was to reign forever, the Wonderful,
the Counsellor, Everlasting Father,
the Prince Of Peace, whose kingdom
was an everlasting kingdom, including
all nations, could be an humble teach
er who died on the cross, But Paul
showed them that only by suffering
could Christ ave from sin, and that
by his having risen again from the
dead, Jesus is a living and glorious
king. Fourth, by living the Gospel,
SO that they could interpret its mean.
ing by what he was and did.
AS a result of his labors in Thessa.
lonica some Jews believed, and con.
sorted with Paul and Silas, The
Greeks gathered in great multitudes.
who were looking and hoping for a
religious life.
The assault on Paul, Silas and
Timothy was i~nstigated by the "Jews
which believed not and were moved
by jealousy or envy, because they
were declining and the Christians
were growing. The Jews used the
rabble, vile fellows, as their instru-
ments,, and turning them into a wild
mob they assaulted the house Of
JASON" with whom the missionaries
were lodging. The missionaries were
not at home, but the mob dragged ia.
son and certain Christians before the
rulers, shouting, These that have
turned the world upside down are
coming hither also"
The charge against the mission
aries was treason, for saying that
there Is another king, n Jesus. The
same charge was made against Jesus
before PLATE.
They were bound over to keep the
peace by a sum Of money, or property,
which Jason and other Christians
must forfeit II the missionaries were
again the occasion of another riot.
Hence Paul and Silas were immedl.
ately sent away secretly by night.
They went to Berea.
Berea was inland about fifty miles
southwest Of Thessalonica. Cicero, in
his Grafton against Piso, a y that,
unable to face the complaint at Thes.
~salonica, Piso fled to Berea. So Paul
may have gone to Berea on account
of its seclusion. AS usual they went
to the synagogue where they were in
troduced by their escort of Christian
Jews who left them at this point.
The missionaries remained at Berea
for several weeks until another popu-
lar disturbance, stirred up by their
T~hessalonian enemies. Paul was Sc
cretly and hastily sent to Athens.
while Silas and Timothy were to fol-
low later.
The most important book in the
world for study and reading is the
Bible. 1t gives the largest. fullest,
widest education. 1t educates all the
faculties of the soul. 1t trains for the
: best life in this world. and for immor'
tai life.