Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-06-03

at Antioch of the decision of the .Jeru-
salem church, Paul and Barnabas and
others continued their evangelism in
that city (ch. 1888. These leaders
soon felt the need of revisiting the
scenes of their former labors ". 36).
but when it came to the organization
or their party, Paul refused to accede
| to the decision of Barnabas that John
Mark should accompany them Tvs. 81,
80, see Acts 14:13). So sharp a con-
tention arose that two parties were or
ganized. That Paul later forgave
Mark is evidenced by his tender refer
ences to him.
!. A Closed Door. Oh. 16:1:S. PauTs
companions for this second mission
airy tour were Silas G5:4O), Luke
(see use of word we" v. 13). and
Timothy ". 49,. The latter came of
good ancestry, had good training and
was or good report, still to avoid con-
tention he submitted to the rite of
circumcision. PauTs work was to
promulgate the Jerusalem decree to
establish or to confirm the churches
and to add to these churches new con-
verts. But that did not entirely full
I'LL Pauls commission (9!15) The
word Asia" (y- g. means the Roman
province of Asia and, wisely obeying
the Spirits direction, Paul passed on
until ne came to the seaport town of
Troas. At later time Paul spoke
the word of the Lord Jesus in Asia
with wonderful effect 19: L, s, 10.
26, 20. 1t must have burned within
the bones of Paul thus to be re-
strained, but it did not serve as an ex-
cuse for him to take a vacation but
rather to seek new fields wherein to
preach. Thus he came to Troas.
III. The Macedonian Call. v. 9-13.
Paul had several epochmaking vi
s1ons; on the Damascus road (9:3,
and 26:19); in Jerusalem (23:1D: at
the time of his shipwreck (27:23).
and the one we are now considering.
A vision is a knowledge of the need
ana OF the resources at ones COM
mand. Grecian beauty, philosophy.
art and culture needed Christ.
Christ as a resource was ADEQUATE
and available to supply that need.
This vision Paul saw: through it God
called him to Macedonia I'VE"
(the first use of that pronoun in the
book of Acts), Paul and Luke, imme-
diately essayed to obey
III. The Open Door, v. IA, Is. On
what seeming trifies does history
turn! An OutcaSt wandering Jew
coming to help proud, cultured, in
nuent1al foreign city, but he bears the
Gospel which alone can be of helm
TO them Paul did not wait to in
vestigate the field nor to establish
a working organization. He knew
better point of contact, and that was
to find those in that CITY who knew
Gcd even though ignorant of Christ.
He began by preaching Jesus, not
comparative religions, nor did he |
seek to found community centers"
with soup kitchens and social uplift. |
Paul knew that to elevate the individ- |
ual by establishing him in the faith OF |
CHRIST would soon result in commu- |
nifty uplift- On the other hand a |
fa1th which evaporates in words and |
does not give tangible, concrete evil
dence in works may well be chai-
lenged as to its being genuine There
was no supernatural direction as to
what part of Macedonia Paul was to |
visit, and exercising his common
sense, Paul went at once to the prin-
cipal city. He did not begin at once
to preach the Gospel ". II R. W,
but waited and watched for an oppor-
tunity, doubtless praying much for a
favorable opening (Ch. 13: IA; 1872;
1S:4).
The man of Macedonia" seems to
have been woman unless we consider
the Philippian jailor. This open-air
meeting was one of the most notable
In history. The Lord opened the
heart of pious Lydia and it was the
turning point of the evangelization of
Europe and America and the world.
God must open the hearts of men and |
women John 6:44, As; Eph 1:17, Is;
Luke 24:45), and this he is willing
and glad to do. The steps of this
conversion are clearly
and present a good type. ID |
She went out to pray w. 49, (2) She
heard the word w. 13, IA; see also
John 5:24. 90 She had her heart
opened by the Lord ". 14). ca She
gave heed to the things which were
spoken" ". IS and Mark 1870. (5)
she made public confession of her
newly-found faith by baptism
90 She carried with her the whole
household, perhaps children, workers
n her business and servants ". 81
30; Cor. 1:16).
The use of the word constrained"
n verse Is indicates a heart hunger
% be helpful by being allowed to
serve.
The Philippian church often helped
Paul subsequently and doubtless Lydia
vas a leading spirit in such service.