The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-30
LESSON FOR July 3
PAUL AT THEssALoNlcA AND
BEREA.

u mouern war map by the
tHide OF the ancient one will help &c
make the places Paul visited more
real. In both of the events OF .thii
lesson reference Is made to the read
ling and use of the Scriptures, and
teachers should use that to emphasize
the reading Of the Bible by both old
and young. There is feai patriotism
las well as safety and a litsral educa
ltion in Bible study. Paul reached
tfThessalonica about twenty years after
the establishment Of the Christian
Church. remained perhaps five or siI
months and then went on to Bereal
Modern salonih has been since the
Roman days of Thessalonica an I'm.
Iportant center, thriving and prosper
Gus Of later years till the recent Bal
kan.Turkish war.
!. At Thessaloniea wv. 1.s) (1) Rea
EEsonlna ltvv. 1-5) ta) The place. On
this second Journey silas and limo
thy ". 14) were Paul's companions.
Recently driven from Phillppi "a
ttThess. 2:1.2) they at once repaired
to the synagogue upon reaching the
city, knowing that there they could
gain q foothold with both Jew and
Gentle. II vas Paul's usual means
nv. 2 Am. R. W. Doubtless during
hettwo 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
Iof the week for their own distinctive
service acts 2o:7). He also reasoned
from tho Scriptures which the Jews
so highly revered. The best agent
for doing personal work 10 the word
OF God tEph. s8:17; Jer. 1928; jos.
1913; I Pet. 1920. t2) The method.
Paul employed three. ta) He rea
soned that Christ must suffer. Why?
I(see lisa. 1855; Math. 26:2S; Heb.
Ee:22; John 1890. Paul had only the
Old Testament, We have also the
New to bring to our aid. tb)That
l""Christ must rise from the dead"-like
Peter at Pentecost. Paul proved this
from the Old Testament. II we will
ALLOW the Holy Spirit to open the
Scriptures" to is we will find things
new and old and exclaim that where.
as "once I was blind now / SEQ" (c)
He "alleged and affirmed" (set forth),
e.f g, gavo testimony that this Jesus
WHOM I proclaim unto you is the
sChrist." Paul knew that the histor.
ical Jesus was tho glorifed Christ, for
he had met him I'm 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 $3.50; he sup.
ported himself Il Thes. $50; II Thes.
l3:s). (2) Reception ". e-10). At
first these men were received as from
God by large numbers ". 4. See
I Thess. 1870. But the gospel then
los now causes divisions. Not all pro.
Efessed followers Of God know or ac-
Icept the gospel. Pauls 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 ". 81
was In large measure true, and It was
aSgood testimony and tribute to their
Effectiveness. It was also in accord
with chrlst's prophecy. (Math. 1884;
Luke IL: 53). It Is the business Of tho
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 &C.
fcpsed Of Saying that there Is an.
other King. one Jesus"
10. At Berea. ". 1915. The dis.
tciples' departure by night was an act
nf prudence (Ma1h. 1923. and Paul
continued his great interest In the con.
Yerts he had left. See the two letters
addressed to that church. Reaching
EBerea Paul began as usual to preach
Jesus first Of all to tho Jews. The
citizens OF Berea were more noble"
and have continued to this day as a
great Inspiration to Bible students
(witness the Berean series Of lesson
Ehelps). (I) They received the word
with readiness Of mind" There was a
hunger for spiritual food and they
partook Of It with a relish. Some re.
ceiye truth under compulsion while
Others hunger ss1r It. (see I Thess.
i:7; 800. t2) Searched" (e1am.
ined)S the Scriptures daily. (2) Each
ldaySthey sought the mind Of God.
Much of our present day Bible study
tst interesting and enlightening, but ia
not energizing nor evangelistic be.
cause It looks upon the Bible merely
4 literature.
Wesneed to study the Bible as did
THE sBereans to know love and obey
Jesus as u Savior and king.
We need to study It as our guide
and counsel through life.
Those who believed" as the result
bf such preaching and study were
well grounded Il Thess. 3:l0).
After several weeks Of such blessed
ministry the Thessaionian Jews In.
Sterfered. Stirring up and troubling thu
multitude" ". IA Am. R. vi, and
Paul again moved on. this time 10
Athens in Greece while silas and Tim.
gothy remained for a further ministry
Itni Berea.
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