The Green Forest tribune., 1916-05-12
LESSON FOR MAY IA
"Lo. WE TURNTo THE GENTIlES.'

be for salvation unto the utterhoSl part of the eareh.-Acts 13:47
 In the unfolding and overwhelming of the program of power we are again confronted with a crucial event. It is suggestive that at this time Paul, whose name has just been changed from Saul, now assumes his place Of leadership, succeeding Barnabas. Per go, the capital of Pamphylia, was on the southern coast of Asia Minor; and Antioch the capital of Pisidia (south- ern Galatia) was 90 miles north. Paul is now in full control and no other man save our Lord has so deeply i'm pressed human history.
 I. PauI's Opening (vv. 13-15). We are not told why John Mark returned to Jerusalem. He may have objected to the changed leadership; there may have been sickness involved; as Jew he may have objected to PauPs &C., tions. His subsequent missionary zeal restored him to PauIs favor (II. Tim. AID. Departing from Perga (v. 14), perhaps on account of an attack of fever Gal. 4:13, IA, the party ascend ed to the higher altitude of the impor- tant city of Antioch, the site of which is now marked by extensive and inn pressive ruins. After finding lodgings they repaired to the synagogue on the Sabbath day Here they could meet the people and would be given oppor- tunity to speak of Jesus. Paul put himself in the way of opportunity and opportunity to beckoned to him. They did not demand this privilege because they were Christian workers. Their participation in the service and other actions commended them to the re- spect of the leaders of the synagogue, which was the great democratic forum of the Jewish nation.
 II. Paul's Sermon (vv. 164D. Paul began his remarks, even as Peter did at Pentecost, by quoting the Old Tes' lament and referring to Jewish his tory, using the same to lead up to his testimony about Jesus. (Matt. 5:17) "It is ours to show wherein Christ full filled the law, the obligation resting upon us by reason of his covenant of grace, and the blessings which issue ' erefrom." This is one of Pauls three recorded missionary sermons (see also Acts 14:15-18;; 17:22-3D. The last two were to Gentiles only. This is a scriptural discourse. CD Messiah's people and ancestry (17-23; CD Mes siahs forerunner CA, 25); Messiah rejected (26-29; (4) Messiah risen from the dead (3O-3D; (5) Jesus the Justifier (3S-39); (6) the application, word of warning GAO, All. There must have been some evidence of rest lessness in his audience, hence his sharp warning (4).
 III. PauI's Decision (vv. 42-47). After the separation of Jews from Greek proselytes the latter besought Pau to continue his testimony literally "the Sabbath between" perhaps at the mid
 week meetings. Questions and discus
 sions were the order in the breaking
 up of the synagogue service, and as
 Paul and his company departed they
 were accompanied by some who haG
 believed (v. 43). Knowing the testins
 which would follow, Paul and Barna
 bas did personal work with these, ex
 horting to steadfastness (Jchn 8: 31 32; Col. 1:23) in the grace of Got
 (v. 3S, 39; Rom. SPA; Eph. 2:8). It 1!
 only in grace that any are able tt
 "continue" (Rom. 5:2; Gal. 5:1, 4 It is personal work which gathers ; crowd and such was the method o
 Paul and Barnabas during the inter
 vening week. So well was the worl
 done and so great was the power O : their testimony that almost the who'll : city" gathered the next Sabbath t. l "hear the Word of God" Such eviden g interest in this new teaching arouse l the jealousy of the Jews. Years 0 l Jewish proselyting had never secure
 such a result as this one address of
 doubtful stranger produced. But bac
 of this jealousy was the greater sin c unbelief To hear the Word of Go '. II Titus 4:2 Thess. 2:13) does nc
 necessarily produce obedience an . faith Uuke 8:5-O; not always tn greatest number of hearers will prt | uuC6 LuC 6ItdLSSL uunD6T LII COuVG
 sions To interrupt speaker is nc unknown in synagogues today. Tn opponents "contradicted and bla
 phemed," doubtless contending ths
 all who hang on tree are accurse
 (Gal. 3:13) and they produced vii O. tempest of voices and confusion. Onl to attack and to destroy the work , o- Paul and Barnabas could save thes 'i Jewish leaders Human nature is tl lu same everywhere.
 'u Paul and Barnabas thrived upon O. al position. We believe they foresaw tn
 development and were prepared ft
 the emergency (v. 46). Because
 long training the Jews were best fl H. ted to receive the Gospel It was I to accident that the first apostles we, Ill Jews, but it is serious business to r H. 1ect the Christ, and the history of il
 Jewish nation since rejecting Jes,
 has been written in blood and tear
 Paups "Lo we turn" (v. 46) mark, or the Rubicon of spiritual history. Chr ey tianity is to become world wide. n at by means of the Jews, but in spite he them.