The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-06-29
LESSON FOR JULY q
PAUL AT THEssALoNlcA AND
BEREA.

'"ff'i nus osois
To place modern 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 liberal educa-
tion 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 Salonih nas been since the
Roman days of 1hessalonica an Inn
portant center. thriving and prosper
GUS OF later years till the recent Bal.
kan-Turkish war.
!. At Thessaloniea (vv. 1-9) ~ Rea-
sonlng wv. l.5) (a) The place. On
this second journey Silas and limo
thy ". 14) were Paul's companions
Recently driven from Philippi Il
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. II was Paul's usual means
". 2 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 20:7) He also reasoned
from the Scriptures which the Jews
so highly revered The best agent
for doing personal work is the word
OF God (Eph. 6:17; Jer. 1929; Jas
1918; Pet. 1929. (2) The method.
Paul employed three. (a) He rea-
soned that Christ must suffer. Why?
tSee lisa. 1885, Math. 1928; Heb.
1922; John 1880 Paul had only the
Old Testament. We have also the
New to bring TO our aid. tb)That
Christ must rise rom the dead"-like
Peter at Pentecost. Paul proved this
from the Old Testament. II we will
allow the Holy Spirit to open the
Scriptures" to us we will find things
new and old and Cxclaim that where.
as "once | was bird now see." (c)
He alleged and affirmed" tset forth
e. g., gave testimony that this Jesus
whom I proclaim unto you is the
Christ" Paul knew that the histor,
ical Jesus was the glorihed Christ, for
he had met him ''in the way" to Da-
mascus. Pauls manner OF life in the
was much that Il contributed greatly
to his success. ais manner OF life
was blameless" (Acts 26:D he sup
ported himself q Thes. $50; II Thes.
3:S). (2) Reception w. 6-1Ol. At
first these men we're received as from
God by large numbers ". 4. See
| 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 servant is envied by
those OF lesser light The charge
brought against Paul and Silas ". 6)
was in large measure true, and II was
good testimony und tribute to their
effectiveness. II was also in accord
with Christ's prophecy. tMath, 10:34;
Luke 1859. II 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 mer we're ac.
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 to
be untrue to the Messiah that Paul
and Silas preached, and who is re-
vealed In the word OF God (Ps. 49,
49, Acts 1858; Rom. 1910. Such
testimony is not today acceptable in
many places and gives rise, even as
in Thessalonica OF old. to persecution.
II not Grass and crude physical at
tacks. II takes the more refined forms
of sarcasm. detraction and social os.
tracism. Paul was also accused OF
treason and the authorities. to avoid
a public trial and the making OF trou.
BILE at Rome for the city and its rulers.
took ecurity-literally an indemnity
against possible damage which should
be forfeited II guilt be found-and
sent the missionaries away. Thus God
did not suffer his children to be test
ed above what they were able to bear
Il Cor 1913 r W. That Paul's
work in the city was deep and gen.
uine we can see by reading Thess
1:6
n. At Berea. " 10-15). The dis
clples' departure by night was an act
OF prudence (Matn. 1929. and Paul
continued his great interest in the con
verts he had left. See the two letters
addressed to that church. Reaching
Berea Paul began as usual to preach
Jesus first OF all to the Jews The
citizens of Berea were more noble"
and have continued to this day as a
great inspiration 20 Bibl students
witness the Bercrn series of lesson
helps). (D They received the word
with readiness of mind" There was a
hunger for spiritual food and they
partook Of II With 1. relish. Some re-
ceive truth under compulsion while
others hunger for 1t, (See Thess.
1T: S:1O). t2) Searched" (exam.
ined) the Scriptures daily. t2) Each
day they sought the mind of God. The