Middletown transcript., 1916-05-13
LESSON FOR MAY IL
40, WE TURN TO THE eENTILga"
LEssoN TExT-Acts 12:13-5s.

/
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. Pau
is now in full control and no other
man save our Lord has so deeply In
pressed human history.
|. Paul's Opening wv. 1S-l5). 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 PauTs ac-
tions. His subsequent missionary zeal
! restored him to Paul's favor (U. Tim
AID. Departing from Perga ". 14l,
perhaps on account of an attack OF
fever (Gal Alb, 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 oppoF-
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 a reform is not to set up a coEn-
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 a visible
church relation has a doubtful value
and standing.
II. PauTs Sermon wv. 16-4D. PaA
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)
ut is ours to show wherein Christ tai
filed the law. the obligation resting
upon US by reason of his covenant Of
grace, and the blessings which issue
therefrom." This is one of Paul'S 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. ~ Messiah's
people and ancestry Q7-23); (2) Mes
siah's forerunner ga. 25); Messiah
rejected (26-29); (N Messiah riseR
from the dead (30-3O; (5) Jesus the
Justifer (38-39); (6) the application,
a word Of warning Gao, 4D. There
must have been some evidence of rest
sharp warning (41).
III. PauI's Decision (vv. 42-47). After
the separation of Jews from Greek
proselytes the latter besought Paul
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 had
believed ". 43). Knowing the testing
which would follow, Paul and Barna-
bas did personal work with these, ex-
horting to steadfastness John 8: 81,
80; Col 1:23) in the grace Of God
". 38, 80; Rom. 1924; Eph- 2:8). II Is
only in grace that any are able 10
continue" (Rom. SO; Gal. 5:1, ~.
1t Is personal work which gathers
crowd and such was the method OF
Paul and Barnabas during the inter
vening week So well was the work
done and so great was the power of
their testimony that almost the whOls
city" gathered the next Sabbath to
hear the Word Of God" Such evident
interest in this new teaching aroused
the jealousy of the Jews. Years Of
Jewish proselyting had never secured
such a result as this one address OF a
doubtful stranger produced. But back
Of this jealousy was the greater sin OF
To hear the Word of God
III Titus Az; Thess. 2:13) does not
necessarily produce obedience and
faith duke $50; not always tho
greatest number of hearers will pro-
duce the greatest number Of CONVEX
siOns. To interrupt a speaker is not
unknown in synagOgues today. The
opponents "contradicted and bias
phemed," doubtless conten6ing that
all who hang on a tree are accursed
(Gal. 3:13) and they produced q wild
tempest of voices and confusion. Only
to attack and to destroy the work OF
Paul and Barnabas could save these
Jewish leaders. Human nature is the
same everywhere. Let stranger draw
a crowd in any community where In
terest has been small and results mea-
ger and someone's envy and jealousy
is sure to be aroused.
Paul and Barnabas thrived upon Op-
position. We believe they foresaw this
development and were prepared for
the emergency ". 49, Because Of
long training the Jews were best #
ted to receive the Gospel. 1t was no
accident that the first apostles were
Jews. but it is serious business to re-
ject the Christ, and the history Of the
Jewish nation since rejecting Jesus
has been written in blood and tears.
Paul's "Lo we turn" ". 46) marked
the Rubicon of spiritual history. Chris
tianity is to become world wide, not