Middletown transcript., 1916-06-03

others continued their evangelism in
that city (ch. 15:35l. These leaders
soon felt the need of revisiting the
scenes of their former labOrs ". 36).
but when it came to the organization
of their party, Paul refused to accede
to the decision of Barnabas that John
Mark should accompany them Tvs. 81,
38, see Acts 14:13). So sharp con-
tention arose that two parties were or
ganized. That Paul later forgave
Mark is evidenced by his tender refer
ences to him.
I. A Closed Door. Oh. 1918. Paul'S
companions for this second mission
ary tour were Silas (15:40), Luke
(see use of word "we," V. 13), and
Timothy ". 1-3). The latter came Of
good ancestry, had good training and
was of good report, still to avoid con-
tentiCn he submitted to the rite Of
circumcision. PauIs 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
fill Pauls commission (9:15). The
word Asia" ". g. means the Roman
province of Asia and, wisely Obeying
the Spirits direction, Paul passed on
until he came to the seaport town OF
Troas. At q later time Paul spoke
the word of the Lord Jesus" in Asia
with wonderful effect (19: l, 8, 19,
26, 27). 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. It
must have appeared strange at the
time, but God was working out larger
plans for his faithful servant and for
the advancement of his infant church
In this connection it is suggestive
(see Revised Version), that the name
given to the Spirit is the Spirit Of
Jesus" indicating his nearness to and
directions in every advance step.
u. The Macedonian Call. v. 9-13.
Paul had several epochmaking vi
sions; on the Damascus road (9:3, 1
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 knowledge of the need
and 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 1t 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. Tradition
tells US that Luke "the beloved physi.
clan" was q native OF Antioch and
had met Paul at the university of Tar
sus.
The promptness with which these
men responded is worthy of empha-
sis. The vision amounted to a call,
and a response to Gods call must for
all time be the secret of happy and
effective life. There is no progress
in mere metaphysical speculation.
III. The Open Door, v. IA, Is. On
what seeming trifles does history
turn! An outcast wandering Jew
coming to help a proud, cultured, in
fuential foreign city, but he bears the
Gospel which alone can be of help
to them. Paul did not wait to lin
vestigate the field nor to establish
a working organization. He knew
q better point of contact, and that was
to find those in that city who knew
God even though ignorant of Christ.
He began by preaching Jesus, not
religions, nor did he
seek to found community centers'
with soup kitchens and social uplift.
Paul knew that to elevate the indiVid-
Ial by establishing him in the faith Of
Christ would soon result in commu-
1ity uplift. On the other hand, a
'aith which evaporates in words and
loes not give tangible, concrete evi.
lence in works may well be chaI-
enged as to its being genuine. There
vas no supernatural direction as to
What part of Macedonia Paul was to
Tisit, and exercising his common
iense, Paul went at once to the prin.
,ipal city. He did not begin at once
o preach the Gospel ". II R. W,
,ut waited and watched for an oppor-
unity, doubtless praying much for a
avorable opening (Ch. 13: IA; 1872;
S:4). When they did begin 1t was
n a most modest and humble way,
Not even in a synogague-no crowd
allied together by flaming advertise
nents; simply company of obscure,
,raying women gathered according to
ewish custom, apart from the syna-
,ogue, by the side of running water"
The man of Macedonia" seems to
ave been a woman unless we consider
he Philippian jailor. This open-aiP
Meeting was one Of the most notable
n history. The Lord opened the
cart of pious Lydia and 1t was the
urning point of the evangelization of
Europe and America and the world.
iod must open the hearts of men and
Tomen John 6:44, As; Eph. 1:17. Is;
luke 24:45), and this he Is willing
nd glad to do. The steps of this
1oman's conversion are clearly
marked and present good type. ~
The went out to pray ". 1S). (2) She
card the word ". 13, Il; see also
ohm 5:2D. (3) She had her heart
pened by the Lord ". 1D. (4) She
gave heed to the things which we're
poken" ". IS and Mark 1870. (5)
he made public confession OF her
ewly-found faith by baptism
(6) She carried with her the whole
ousehold. perhaps children. workers