The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-01
LESSON FOR JULY 2
PAUL AT THEssALoNlcA AND
BEREA.

LESSON ~TEXT-Acts 17:1-15 tcf. 1
Thess. 2:1-19.
GOLDEN TEXT-Him did God exalt
with his right hand to be a prince and
a Savior.-Acts 5:31.
To place a 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 aud 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 mas been since the
Roman days of 1hessalonica an i'm
portant center, thriving and prosper
Gus of later years till the recent Bal
kan-Turkish war.
l. At ThessaIonica wv. 1-9) ~ Rea-
soning (vv. 1-5) (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. 1t 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 2O:O He also reasoned
from the Scriptures which the Jews
so highly revereG. The best agent
for doing PERSONA work is the word
of God (Eph. 6:17; Jer. 1929; Jas.
1:1S; l Pet. 1920. (2) The method.
Paul employed three. (a) He rea-
soned that Christ must suffer. Why?
(See lisa. $3.50; Math. 26:2S; 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 from 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 exclaim that where
as "once I was blind now l 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 glorifled Christ, for
he had met him "in the way" to Da-
mascus. Paul's of life in the
city as he lived and preached Jesus
was much that II contributed greatly
to his success. Ms manner of life
was blameless" (Acts 26:4J; he sup
ported himself q Thes. 2:9; II Thes.
3:S). (2) Reception ". 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 cause divisions. Not all pro-
fessed followers of God know or &C
cept the gospel. Paul's 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 ". g.
was in large measure true, and 1t vas
a good testimony and tribute to their
effectiveness. It was also in accord
with Christ's prophecy. (Math. 1O:34;'
Luke IL: $50. 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 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 1t 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. FPS. 2:8-
IL: Acts 1858; Rom. 13:1-7). Such a
testimony is not today acceptable in
many places and gives rise, even as
in Thessalonica OF old, TO persecution.
If not Grass and crude physical at
tacks, II takes the more refined forms
of sarcasm, ~detraCtion and social os.
tracism. Paul was atso 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 security-literally an indemnity
against possible damage which should
be forfeited IL 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
q Cor. 1913 r, W. That Paul's
work in the city was deep and gen.
uine we can see by reading | Thess.
1:6.
II. At Berea. ". 1919. The dis
ciples' departure by night was an act
Of prudence (Math. 1923, 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 to Bibl; students
witness the Berern series of lesson
helps). ID They received the word
with readiness of mind" There was a
hunger for spiritual food and they
partook of it with C. relish. Some re-
ceive truth under compulsion while
others hunger for 1t. (See | Thess.
1:7; 3:10). (2) Searched" (exam-