Evening star., 1925-08-08
Sunday School Lesson

selected Sllas, who was Aellenistic
Jew and Roman citizen, to take
the place of Barnabas, whom he loved
and praised because Paul remem.
nered his indebtedness to the big
hearted "son of consolation" We
part with him. for history marches
with Paul" The sympathy Of the
Antioch Church was apparently with
the Apostle to the Geniles In his
choice of Silas, or Silvanus, who had
made a good impression upon them
as member Of the commission OF
conciliation sent them by the Jeru.
salem Church after the council. He
had the missionary spirit which keeps
one Loyalty at his task in spite oS all
difficulties. He shared Paups views
In reference to the Gentiles. While
they were not sent out by the Jeru-
salem Church. his membership with
the mother church added to the infiu-
ence that they both would have with
the Apostles and the Jerusalem
Church. In every critical hour, he
could confirm that Pauls apostle
ship had been recognized by the
Jerusalem authorities, who had put
their stamp of approval upon the
churches established by Paul and his
teachings for the Gentiles.
Silas joined the mission as a mem
Der of Paul's staff. when they started
70 confirm the faith Of the churches
In Syria, Cilicia and Galatia by teach
ing them the principles and precepts
or Christian liberty that Paul had
won for them in the Magma Charta
OF religious freedom he obtained for
them in the Jerusalem conference.
They passed communities that were
strongly Jewish centers. seeking com
munities where Roman power pre-.
dominated. They sought to build up
the spiritual life OF the churches
visited by preaching unto them the
gospel, free from any ritualistic re.
quirement, leaving them to work out
their Christian life under the leader
ship Of the Holy Spirit. He placed
the responsibility upon them to win
souls for Christ Jesus and His
church
They entered Lycaonia, from the
south and passing through Derbe
came to Lystrs, where Paul called
10 the work of the ministry a Young.
disciple Timothy, who had been con.
Verteo during his previous Journey
ana was well spoken Of by the mem
ners Of the church. He was a son
or Jewish mother and had been
well trained in the Scriptures by his
mother and grandmother. His father
was a GENTLE, SO he had not been
CohiSiocd' t1e possessed without
doubt the athletic body and cultured
mind OF his father and inherited
from his mother that Concentration
OF spirit and religious enthusiasm so
characteristic of her race.
faui raced a new problem in the
case or Timothy. AS q Gentle he was
exempt from the requirements of the
IE4W' EW' winch was required of all Jews.
his mother was daughter of Israel
SO Paul determined to have Timothy
circumcised so that any possible
oostacle TO his efficiency should he
removed. Timothy permitted the re.
nslous rite of his mothers race to
De administered SO that he could he
IN position to approach anv IN.
christian Jew without facing a cues.
tion or contention. The elders of the
ohurch placed their hands OF con.
secration upon the new missionary
as they dedicated him TO his life
work as a companion and servant of
paui, whom he served with the fideI.
iIy ana love OF son In the flesh
Paufs stafr having been no early
completed, he was ready to attemnt
the next forward step in mjssionary
work, that we will consider in a ~.
ture lesson.