The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-07-06

b:14-A
GOLDEN TBxT-If we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even 80 them
also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.-I Thess. 4:14 X. ".
This epistle is probably one of the
earliest Of Paul's letters ca. d. 5O-53?).
1t links itself closely with the seven
teenth chapter Of the Book Of Acts.
Driven from Berea, Paul goes to Ath.
ems and later to Corinth, while Tim
othy returns to Thessalonica and car.
ries a report to Paul at Corinth. !
Whereupon, perhaps within six
months, Paul writes his epistle. A
study Of the two letters addressed to
this church teaches us how Paul ad-
vised and instructed his Gentle con-
verts. The first Is particularly cheer
full, positive and helpful exhortation.
!. Thanksgiving and Testimony Il:
100; 2:17-20). (1) Salutatlon (1:1)
The phrase, 'the church of the Thes.
salonians which is in Gcd" is nowhere
else used. Some think it to be unique
because Paul had so little to condemn
or to criticize. The deity of Jesus
Christ and that grace and peace pro.
ceed from God is clearly set forth.
(2) Thanksgiving wv. and 81 (a)
For works of faith; (b) for their
labor OF love-" and (c) their "pa-
thence" (endurance). That these
works were "in the sight Of God" is
evidence Of their genuineness, and
such spiritual fruitage awakened
CD knowledge in Pauls mind ". A..
They were elected" to salvation, holi-
ness and likeness to Jesus wv. SO;
/ Pet 1:2; Eph. IA, s; Rom. 8:29).
(4 Testimony (vv. 6-10). Paul could
appeal to the known conduct OF him.
self and his friends to substantiate, to
prove. the standing of those candi.
dates for holiness who had been "elect.
ed" His words had not come to them
In mere exhortation and eloquence but
also In power" which governed their
conduct. This was not to win ap-
plause, but in his own case he labored
for their sakes ". s. and in their
case they had received the word with
Joy" in the midst Of affliction to the
end that they became examples (pat-
terms or types; literally, like the far
echoing notes Of a trumpet) ". y to
all that dwelt in the regions there
about. Their obedience, consistency
and missionary spirit (vv. 8-10) sound
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say, "Behold
the church ofThessalonica!" (5) Paul'a
glory and Joy (2:17-20). Paul sets
forth his character as q Christian
worker (2:1-16). (a) His physical
boldness wv. 1.2); (b) his faithful, i'm.
partial teaching wv. 3-6), affectionate-
ly kind (7,8), unselflsh, working for
his own support ". 81, holy and con-
sistent G3-16). No one ''had anything
on him." and such life dares to be
bold, though 1t is not free from per-
secution w. 15). (6) PauI's desire
| (2:17-20). He here sets forth why this
letter was written. Separated from
them by persecution. he desires to
return and supply the things they were
yet lacking and to see face to face
those whom he loved Satan pre-.
vented ". 18) doubtless using the bit
| ter persecution stirred up against him.
! He had therefore sent Timothy from
Berea to comfort them (3:15), who
had made such a good report (3:1-10)
| that it urged Paul to greater prayer
| wv. 11-13) on their behalf.
| ~. Ignorance IIIumined (4:13-1S).
Paul rebukes certain sins glib, ex.
horting them to godliness and to love
one another. He then touches upon
doctrine which was one Of his
! strongest reasons for writing to these
Thessalonians The imminent return
of Christ had been strongly cmpha.
sized, but In the months Of Paul's alb.
sence soEae Of their number had died,
died without seeing Christ's promised
, glory. Would those who remained
have any advantage over the dead
saints when Christ should como? It Is
to set their thinking Alright that Paul
writes This he does by outlining the
great and blessed hope Of the church
in it's rapture" at Christ's coming.
! This Is moro clearly get forth hero
than anywhere else in tho New Testa
meMt. Those who mourncd over dc
parted loved ones arc not to Sorrow
as those who had no hope" Jesus
the risen, everlasting Savior and king
is certainly coming again in his kin:
dom Of glory, with shout with the
voice OF the archangel." Their So
row is not that Of the world, for those.
departed are but Sleeping" and vii
come back with Jesus when he comes
Together they who sleep ard we who
are alive shall be caught up "to NEE
the Lord in the air." all to dwell to
gather forcvernore with the Lord
Paups description Of the events
this second coming, this rapture
the church. has not yet been fulfllle,
but he and the disciples were not mi
taken as to It's nearness, It's imm
nence.
~. The Hope Of Church and Str