The Green Forest tribune., 1916-06-30
LESSON FOR JULY z
PAUL AT THESSALONiCA AND
 BEREA.

with his right hand to be prince anc
 a Savior.-Acts 5:31.
 To place a modern war map by the
 side of the ancient one will help tc
 make the places Paul visited more real In both of the events of thls 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
 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 Saloniki nas been since the Roman days of 1hessalonica an i'm portant center, thriving and prosper ous of later years till the recent Bal l kan-Turkish war
 l. At ThessaIonica (vv. 1-9) CD Rea- sonine (vv. 1-5) (a) The place On this second journey Silas and Timo- thy (v. 14) were Pauls companions. Recently driven from Philippi q Thess. 2:1-2) they at once repaired to the synagogue upon reaching the city, knowing that there they could gain a foothold With both Jew and Gentle. It was Paul's usual means (v. 3 Am. R. VI. 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 revereG. The best agent for doing personaI work is the word of God (Eph. 6:17; Jer. 23:29; Jas. 1:18; I Pet 1:23I. CD The method. Paul employed three. (a) He req soned that Christ must suffer. Why? 9:22; John 19:36). 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 blird now I see" Co He alleged and affirmed" (set 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 glorified Christ, for he had met him "in the way" to Da- mascus. Paul's manner of life in the city as he lived and preached Jesus was much that i. c5ii.i fi s5s,lt d-Esreatly td> his success. His manner of life was blameless" Acts 26:4); he sup ported himself q Thes 2:9; II Thes. 3:8). CD Reception (v. 6-10). At first these men were received as from God by large numbers (v 4. See I 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 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 Silas (v @ was in large measure true, and it was a good testimony and tribute to their effectiveness. It was also in accord with Christ's prophecy. (Math. 10:34; Luke 12:53) 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 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 it is to reign, is to be untrue to the Messiah that Paul and Silas preached, and who is re- vealed in the wort of God CPS. 2:S- 12; Acts 25:S; Rom. BED. Such testimony is not today acceptable in many places and gives rise, even as in Thessalonica of old, to persecution, if not crass and crude physical at- tacks, it 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- ble at Rome for the city and it's 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 q Cor. 1913 R. VI. That Pauls 0y.1y s, l1n Ittx uine we can see 5y reading I Thess. 1:6.
 II. At Berea. (v. 10-15). The dis ciples' departure by night was an act of prudence (Math. 10:23), 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 helps). CD They received the word with readiness of mind" There was a hunger for spiritual food and they partook of 1t with l. relish. Some re- 1 ceive truth under compulsion while others hunger for it. (See I Thess IT; 3:10). CD Searched" (exam. ined) the Scriptures daily. CD Each day they sought the mind of God. The i Scriptures were the word of God to them and not to be hastily examined Systematic, regular study with def nite purpose in mind, e. g., to see ii l Panl had told tha truth ahnut Oh ri nt