Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-06-30
LESSON FOR JULY 2
PAUL AT THESSALONICA AND
BEREA.

To place a moGern war map by the
side of the ancient one will help to !
make the places Paul visited more |
real. In both of the events of this !
lesson reference is made to the read |
ing and use of the Scriptures, and !
teachers should use that to emphasize
the reading of the Bible by both old |
and young. There is real patriotism |
as well as safety and a. liberal educa-
ton in Bible study. Paul reached
Thessalonica about twenty years after !
the establishment of the Christian
church, remained perhaps five or six
months and then went On to Berea
Modern Saloniki cas- been since the
Roman days of lhessalonica an I'M
portant center, thriving and prosper
Gus of later years till the recent Bal
kan-Turksh war.
|. At Thessaionica wv. 1-9) ID Rea-
soning (vv. 1-5) (a) The place. On
this second Journey Silas and Timo-
thy ". IA were Pauls companions.
Recently driven from Philippi q
Thess. 2:1-2) they at once repaired
to the synagogue upon reaching the
city, knowing that there they could
gain a foothold Nth both Jew and
Gentle. 1t was PauIs usual means
". Am. R. W. Doubtless during
the two weeks the disciples used every
opportunity for discussion. Paul made
use of the Sabbath day of assembly al
though Christians met on the first day
of the week for their own distinctive
service (Acts 40:7) He also reasoned
from the Scriptures which the Jews
SO highly revered. The best agent
for doing PERSONA work is the word
of God (Eph. GIT; Jer. 1929; Jas.
LIS; 1 Pet. 1928 (2) The method.
| Paul employed three. (a) He rea-
soned that Christ must suffer. Why?
(See Isa 53:6; Math. 1928; Heb.
9:22; John 1880 Paul had only the
! Old Testament We have also the
New to bring to our aid. (b)That
Christ must rise rom the dead"-like
Peter at Pentecost. Paul proved this
from the Old Testament. If we will
allow the Holy Spirit to "open the
Scriptures" to US we will find things
new and OLD and exclaiIn that where.
| as "once was bird now | see" (c)
He alleged and affirmed" (set forth),
e. G., gave testimony that 'this Jesus
whom l proclaim unto you is the
| Christ Paul knew that the histor-
ical Jesus was the glorifed Christ, for
/ he had met him Sin the way" to Da-
mascus. Paul's manner Of life in the
city as he lived end preached Jesus
was much that It contributed greatly
to his success. Ais manner of life
was blameless" (Acts 26:4; he sup
ported himself q Thes. 2:9; II Thes.
3:S). (2) Reception (v. 6-10). At
first these men were received as from
God by large numbers ". 4. See
l Thess. 1:6-10). But the gospel then
as now causes divisions. Not all pro-
fessed followers of God know or ac-
cept the gospel Pauls success
aroused the envy Of the Jews just as
every successful eervant is envied by
those of lesser light The charge
brought against Paul and Silas (v. g.
was in large measure true, and it was
a good testimony and tribute to their
effectiveness. It was also in accord
with Christ's prophecy. (Math. 1924 !;
Luke 1853. 1t is the business of the
gospel to accomplish just such re
suits. We need more of such as shall
turn the wrong side down and the
right side up. These men were &C
cused of Saying that there is an
other King. one Jesus To preach
humanitarianism, the ethics of Jesus
and not to acknowledge and obey the
king whose right it is to reign, is tc
be untrue to the Messiah that Pau
and Silas preached, and who is re
vealed in the wort of God (Ps. 2:8
12; Acts 25:S; Rom, 13:1-0. Such {
; testimony is not today acceptable il
: many places and gives rise. even al
in Thessalonica of old, to persecution
if not Grass and crude physical at
tacks. it takes thu more refined form
of sarcasm, detraction and social os
tracism Paul was also accused O
l treason and the authorities, to avoit
a public trial and the making of trou
l BILE at Rome for the city and it's rulers
took security-literally an indemnit
against possible damage which shoul'
I sent the missionaries away. Thus Co
did not suffer his children to be test
ed above what they were able to bea
Il Cor. 1913 R. W. That Paul
work in the city was deep and ger
uine we can see 3y reading I ThesE
1:6.
II. At Rerea. (v. 10-15). The dis
e ?iples departure by night was an &C
g of prudence (Math. 1929, and Pat
: continued his great interest in the COZ
5. verts he had left. See the two letter
l. addressed to that church. Reachin
t Berea Paul began as usual to preac
9 Jesus first of all to the Jews. Th
II citizens of Berea were more noble
8 and have continued to this day as
g great inspiration 10 Bibl; student
s (witness the Berean series of lesso
helps). ID They received the wor
with readiness of mind" There was
hunger for spiritual food and the
q partook of it with {. relish. Some r
ceive truth under compulsion Will
others hunger for it. (See l Thes
1T; 3:10). (2) Searched" (exan
e ined) the Scriptures daily. (2) Fac
day they sought t1e mind of God. Th
Scriptures were the word of God I
them and not to be hastily examines
Systematic. regular study with de-
IS mite purpose in mind, e. g., to see
1t Paul had told the truth about Chri
y John 5:39). That they studied III
II about casuistical questions of autho
r ship. literary form and historically, b.
'e to teach, is evidenced to our satisfa
n ton by the results, for we read {;
e therefore many cf them believed"
We need to study the Bible as d
the Bereans to know love and ODE
Jesus as our Savior and king.
"a We need to study it as our guic
and counsel through life.
~ Those who "beneved''f as the resu
of such preaching and study wel
le we'll grounded Il Thess. 3:10).
6. After several w7eks of such blesst
al ministry the Thessaionian Jews