Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-06-01

Following tho commissions report
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 (v. 36),
but when II came to the organization
OF their party, Paul refused to accede
to the decision of Barnabas that John
Mark should accompany them tvs. 80.
3S, see Acts IA: 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.
|. A Closed Door. Oh. 1918. Paul's
companions for this second mission
airy tour were Silas (15:40), Luke
| (see use of word "we," v. l3), and
| Timothy (v. 1-3). The latter came OF
good ancestry, had good training and
was Of good report still to avoid con-
tention he submitted to the rite OF
circumcision. Paul's 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 {a.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 later time Paul spoke
| fha <xe ord IL, Aafo
with wonderful effect Go: l, s, 10,
26, 27). 1t must have burned within
the bones of Paul thus to be re-
strained, but 1t 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.
II. The Macedonian Call v. 9-13.
Paul had several epochmaking vi
s.ons; on the Damascus road (9:3. A
and 26:19) In Jerusalem (23:11); at
the time Of his shipwreck (27.23),
and the one we are now considering.
A vision is a knowledge OF the need
and of the resources at ones COM
mand. Grecian beauty, philosophy,
art and culture needed Christ.
Christ as resource was adequate
and available to supply that need.
This vision Paul saw: through 1t God
called him to Macedonia. We"
(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 trifles does history
turn! An outcast wandering Jew
coming to help a proud, cultured, in.
fiuential foreign city, but he bears the
Gospel which alone can be of help
to them. Paul did not wait TO I'm
vestigate the field" nor to establish
q working organization. He knew
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
comparative religions, nor did he
seek to found community centors"
i 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,
faith which evaporates In words and
does not give tangible, concrete evil
dence In works may well be chal-
ienged 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 ". IL r. W,
but waited and watched for an oppor-
tunity, doubtless praying much for a
favorable opening (Ch. 10: IA; 17:2;
18:4).
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. iii, Is;
Luke 24:45), and this he is willing
and glad to do. The steps Of this
woman's conversion are clearly
marked and present good type. ~
Sne Went out TO pray ~. l5). ~ she
heard the word ". 10, IA; see also
John 5:24). go She had her heart
opened by the Lord ". 14). (4) She
gave heed to the things which were
spoken ". Is and Mark 1910. 81
She made public confession of her
newly-found faith by baptism.
co. She carried with her the whole
household, perhaps children. workers
in her business and servants ". 81
80; Cor. 1910.
The use of the word constrained"
in verse Is indicates a heart hunger
to be helpful by being allowed to
serve
The Philippian church often helped
Paul subsequently and doubtless Lydia
was leading spirit in such service.