Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-05-12
LESSON FOR MAY IA
40, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES.'
LESSON TEXT-Acts 12:13-52.

be for salvation unto the uttermost part
OF the earth. Acts 13:E.
In the unfolding and overwhelming
of the program of power we are again
confronted with a crucial event 1t
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 80 miles north. Paul
is now in full control and no other
man save our Lord has so deeply i'm
pressed human history.
/. 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 PauIs ac-
lions. His subsequent missionary zeal
restored him to Paul's favor (II Tim.
AID. Departing from Perga ". 14),
perhaps on account of an attack of
fever (Gal. 4:13, 14), 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 i'm
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. The place to be-
gin reform is not to set up a coun-
ter organization. The best channel
wherein to begin a successful evange'
| listic campaign is that of the visible
church of Christ. Any professed
Christian leader who has not visible
church relation has a doubtful value
and standing.
II. PauI's Sermon wv. 16-4D. Pau
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. 5:17l
'It is ours to show wherein Christ full
filled the law, the obligation resting
upon us by reason of his covenant o
grace, and the blessings which issue
therefrom." This is one of Pauls thre,
recorded missionary sermons (see alst
Acts 14:15-18;; 17:223D. The las
two were to Gentiles only. This is I
scriptural discourse. "a Messiah
people and ancestry (17-23); (2) Mes
siah's forerunner GA, 25); Messiah
rejected (26-29); a. Messiah riser
from the dead (3O-37); 90 Jesus TIL
Justifer (38-39); (6) the application
word of warning (40, Al. Their
must have been some evidence of rest
lessness in his audience, hence hi
sharp warning (41.
III. PauI's Decision (vv. 42-47). Afte
the separation of Jews from Gree
proselytes the latter besought Pau
to continue his testimony literally 9Th
Sabbath between perhaps at the mit
week meetings. Questions and discus
sions were the order in the breakin
up of the synagogue service, and a
Paul and his company departed the
were accompanied by some who ha
believed ". 43). Knowing the testin
which would follow, Paul and Barn;
bas did personal work with these, e.
horting to steadfastness (John 8: 8
80; Col 1929 in the grace of Go
". 3S, 80; Rom. 1924; Eph. 2:8). 1t
only in grace that any are able t
continue" (Rom. 81; Gal. ST., 4
It is personal work which gathers
crowd and such was the method {
Paul and Barnabas during the inte
vening week. So we'll was the wor
done and so great was the power {
their testimony that almost the who
| city, gathered the next Sabbath
| "hear the Word of God" Such evidel
/ interest in this new teaching arouse
/ the jealousy of the Jews. Years
Il Jewish proselyting had never secure
H such a result as this one address of
Il doubtful stranger produced. But bat
4 of this jealousy was the greater sin
!: unbe1ief To hear the Word of &C
\ QI Titus Az; l Thess. 2:13) does n
Il necessarily produce obedience al
4 faith (Luke 8:5-7); not always Il
il greatest number of hearers will pr
. duce the greatest number of conve
, sions. To interrupt a speaker is n
unknown in synagogues today. tt
opponents %contradicted and ble
y phemed," doubtless contending tn
IS all who hang on tree are accurs
(Gal. 3:13) and they produced a wi
s. tempest of voices and confusion. On
e. to attack and to destroy the work
Paul and Barnabas could save the
r Jewish leaders. Human nature is t
m same everywhere. Let stranger drs
a. a crowd in any community where
e. terest has been small and results me
Id ger and someone's envy and jealou
II is sure to be aroused.
Paul and Barnabas thrived upon
position. We believe they foresaw Il
development anG were prepared I
the emergency ". 46). Because
ly long training the Jews were best
Sc ted to receive the Gospel. 1t was
,e, accident that the first apostles we
gs Jews, but it is serious business to
ject the Christ, and the history of t
1T Jewish nation since rejecting Jes
af has been written in blood and tea
it Pauls 'Lo we turn" (v. 46) mark
the Rubicon of spiritual history. CHI
vn tianity is to become world wide.
ne by means of the Jews, but in spite
er them. Paul quoted Isaiah 1875 a
ed Luke applies the same words to
IN beginning of the life of Jesus (Lu
2:32).
Good Advice.
Christs direction to John and !
no drew, and Philips advice to Nath