The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-01
BY WIN. E. GILROY, D. D,
Editor Of The congregatlOnaIIst

Editor Of The COngregatiOnaIist
A FTER the prison experiences
"A of Paul and Silas at Philippi
and the establishment of a COM
pany of disciples with the house
of Lydia as it's center, Paul
passed on through Macedonia to
Thessalonica, city that was to
become a scene of further evan
gelical triumph and to give its name
in future ages to two epistleS Of St.
Paul, and II Thessalonians.
Here at TheSSalonica there was
Jewish synagogue, and Paul be-
ing a Jew, followed the proceed
ure which was established in his
missionary journeys of worship
ing with his own countrymen and
as opportunity offered, expounding
to them the fulf1llment of Jewish
scriptures in Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul spent three Sabbaths thus wor-
Shipping and discussing in the syna-
gogue in Thessalonica preaching to
them the effect of Christ's redemp-
tive mission, his sufferings, death,
and resurrection.
The result, as at every place that
Paul thus preached the Gospel, was
that some believed and others did
not believe. Among the believers
were both Jews and Greeks, and
there is special reference to wonl-
en- converts.
Intensity of Jewish opposition,
however, was soon manifest. The
record suggests that some of the
Jewish leaders we're envious of
Paul'S influence. Here as at
Phillippi religious prejudice did not
come out and express itself openly
and frankly. 1t took the baser
forms of rousing hostility against
Paul and of stirring up mob preju-
dice and mob violence so that, as
the record says, the whole city was
set in an uproar.
When Paul and Silas, whose
friends had evidently successfully
concealed them, were not found the
mob seized Jason, at whose house
apparently they had been staying
and hailed Jason and certain others
before the rulers of the city. Here,
again, they did not say, as honest
men might have said, these men
differ from us religiously." They
sought rather to discredit them by
attacking their loyalty to the gov
eminent.
How similar and how persistent
are the tactics of religious and po-
litical bigots in every age! 1t was
in this connection that famous
saying concerning these e. ~ly Chris
tians was recorded, "These that
have turned the world upside down
are come hitler Also" No finer def
milton of Christianity than that
could be given.
It is the supreme mission of
Christianity to overturn everything
that is wrong, that is against the
love and grace of God, and against
the welfare of man. The charge
that Christianity is revolutionary is
one in which Christians ought to
glory. Only they ought always to
make sure that their effort to trans
form the world is in harmony with
true love and righteousness.
The rulers of Thessalonica seem
to have been sensible men. Instead
of subjecting Jason to unjust treat
ment or indignity they had him and
his companions give bail and let
them go.
The company of believers realized
however, that Paul and Silas were
in danger, so they sent them by
night to Berea, another city OF
Macedonia about forty miles from
Thessalonica. Here, also, Paul anc
Silas went into the synagogue Of
the Jews.
The Jews of Berea in the Ian
guage of the lesson were more noble
than those in Thessalonica." They
listened with readiness and open
ness of mind to Paul's expression Of
the Scriptures and many of then
believed here also as at Thessalon-
lea. A number of Greeks and mobile
women" we're among the new con-
verts.
Everywhere the Gospel in the be-
ginning showed itself as power
transcending racial and nationa
distinctions.