Middletown transcript., 1916-07-01
LESSON FOR JULY 2
PAUL AT THESsALONICA AND
BEREA.

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 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 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.
|. At ThessaIonica wv. 1-9) Q) Rea-
soning wv. 1-5) (a) The place On
this second journey Silas and Timo-
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 foothold with both Jew and
Gentle. 1t was Paurs 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:O 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. GIT; Jer. 1929; JAS
1:18; 1 Pet. 1928. (2) The method.
Paul employed three. (a) He rea-
soned that Christ must suffer. WhyT
(See Isa. 1915; Math. 1928; Heb.
1922: John 1885. 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 l was bird 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-
fcaI Jesus was the glorified Christ, for
he had met him "in the way" to Da-
mascus. Pauls manner of life in the
city as he lived and preached Jesus
was much that It contributed greatly
to his success. Ais manner of life
was blameless" (Acts 26:4); he sup
ported himself q Thes. 2:9; II Thes.
3:8). ~ Reception ". 6-1O). At
first these men were received as from
God by large numbers ". A. See
| Thess. 1:6-10). But the gospel then
as now causes divisions. Not all pro-
fessed followers of God know or &C
cept the gospel PauPs 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 Sllas ". 6)
was in large measure true, and it was
a good testimony and tribute to their
effectiveness. 1t was also in accord
with Christ's prophecy. (Math. 1924;
Luke 1853. It 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 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. 2:8-
12: Acts 25:S; Rom. 13: ID. 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, it takes the more refined forms
of sarcasm, detraction and social os-
tracism. Paul was also accused or
| 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 if 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 Pauls
work in the city was deep and gem
uine we can see by reading / Thess.
| 1:6.
II. At Berea. (v. 10-15). The dis
ciples' departure by night was an act
| of prudence (Math. 1928, 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 Berean series of lesson
helus). ID They received the word
with readiness of mind" There was
hunger for spiritual food and they
partook of it with {. relish. Some re-
ceive truth under compulsion while
others hunger for it. (See l Thess.
1T; 3:1O). (2) Searched" (exam-
ined) the Scriptures daily. (2) Each
day they sought the mind of God. The
Scriptures were the word of God to
them and not to be hastily examined.
Systematic, regular study with def
mite purpose in mind, e. e., to see If
Paul had told the truth about Christ