The Tupelo journal., 1916-06-30
LESSON FOR JULY 2
PAUL AT THEssALoNicA AND
BEREA.

GOLDEN TExT-Him did God exalt
with his right hand to be a prince and
a Savior.-Acts 5.31.
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 OF six
months and then went on to Berea.
Modern Saloniki has been since the
Roman days Of Thessalonica an i'm
portant center, thriving. and prosper
GUS of later years till the recent Bal
kan-Turkish war.
/. At Thessalonica wv. 1-9) az Rea-
soning wv. 1-5) (a) The place. On
this second journey Silas and limo
thy ". 14) were Paul's companions.
Recently driven from Philippi Il
Thess. Pip 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
". 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 wi distinctive
service (Acts 2O:D. 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.
1:1S; I Pet. 1928. (2) The method.
Paul employed three. (a) He rea-
soned that Christ must suffer. Why?
(See lisa. 1876; Math. 1928; Heb.
9:22; John 1867. 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 blind now | see." (c)
He alleged and affirmed" (set forth) (,
e. g., gave testimony that this Jesus
whom | 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 it contributed greatly
to his success. His manner of life
was blameless' (Acts 26:4); he sup
ported himself q Thes. 2:9; II Thes.
3.8). (2) Reception (v. 6-10). At
first these men were received as from
God by large numbers (v. A.. See
l Thess. 1910. But the gospel then
as now causes divisions. Not all pro-
fessed followers of God know or ac-
cept the gospel. Paul's success
aroused the envy of the Jews Just as
every successful servant is envieG by
those of lesser light. The charge
brought against Paul and Silas (v. g.
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 were ac-'I
cused of Saying that there is an
other King, one Jesus"
II. At Berea. (v. 1919. The dis
ciples' departure by night was an act
of prudence (Math. 1929, 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 Bcrea were more noble"
and nave continued to this day as a
great inspiration to Bible students
witness the Berean series of lesson
helps). "a They received the word
with readiness of mind" There was a
hunger for spiritual food and they
partooks of it with q relish. Some re-
ceive truth under compulsion while
others hunger for it. fSee I Thess.
1:7s 3:10). (2) Searched" (exam-
ined) the Scriptures daily. (2) Each
day they sought the mind of God.
Much of our present day Bible study
is interesting and enlightening, but is
not energizing nor evangelistic be-
cause it looks upon the Bible merely
as literature.
We need to study the Bible as did
the Bereans to know love and obey
Jesus as our Savior and king.
We need to study 1t as our guide
and counsel through life.
Those who believed" as the result
Of such preaching and study were
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