The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-10-15
Lesson for October 10
PAUL IN THESSALoNIcA AND
BEREA

BEREA
GOLDEN TEXT--open thou mine
eyes, that may behold wondrous
things out Of thy law.
LESSON TEXT--Acts Hills;
Thess. 2:1-12.
PRIMARY ToPIc-How We Ought
to Hear.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Two Kinds Of Hear
ers.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Two Kinds of Hearers.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Winning through Love.
I. Paul Preaching In Thessaloniea
(17:1-1O).
1, His method wv. 1, p. He OBJ
served the divine order, to the Jew
first, and was exceedingly anxious for
his kinsmen in the flesh, but when they
proved themselves unworthy, he turned
to the Gentiles.
2. His message ". 81. 1t was that
Jesus is the Christ. In order to prove
that JeSus is the Christ, he expounded
unto them the Scriptures. Concerning
Christ he set forth three propositions:
a. That Christ must needs have suf-
fered ". 81. The suffering Christ
was not welcomed by the Jews. They
had explained away such positive as
sertions as are set forth in Isaiah 81.
They were looking for Messiah Of
different type. This is common today
in our churches and Sunday schools.
The cross is an offense.
b. "Risen again from the dead"
". 81. This he also proved by the
Scriptures.
c. "That this Jesus whom l preach
unto you is Christ" ". 81. He de-
clared that the historic Jesus whom
he had proclaimed had suffered and
risen from the dead. Therefore, he
is the predicted Messiah.
8. The attitude Of the Jews toward
his preaching wv. 4-1O). While some
Jews believed and many Greeks, the
envy of certain Jews was so aroused
at Paul's success that they gathered
together the worthless fellows Of the
town and set on foot a riot. They
said, "These have turned the world
upside down." 1t is true that the
gospel is revolutionary, but not trea-
son to right government. They turned
the preaching Of Paul into specious
lie. He preached the kingship of
Jesus ". y. Jesus is most assuredly
coming to reign on this earth.
II. The Character Of PauPs Min
lstry at Thessaloniea Il Thess. 2:1-12).
In this section we have exhibited
the temper of the apostolic ministry.
It becomes an ideal for such as would
follow in his wake.
1. It was courageous wv. 1, p. In
spite of shameful persecution, Paul
persisted in his ministry, demonstrate
ing his devotion to the Lord.
2. Honest and gufleless wv. 3. A..
He had no Interior motive. AS one
sent of God, he faithfully ministered
unto them.
8. Without f1attering words ". 81. Re
CARELESS of the difficulty of his posi-
lions, the prominence Of the persons
faced, he never resorted to flattery.
4. without a cloak Of covetousness
". 81. The impelling force Of his
life was devotion to God and interest
in lost men. Opportunity for personal
gain he waived aside.
s. He did not seek glory from man
". g., his supreme aim being to honor
God.
6. He was gentle and affectionate
wv. Z, g.. So vitality did he enter into
the lives of the people that he dis
played gentleness, even as nursing
mother with her children.
z. Unselfish w. 81. In order that
his motive be not questioned he la
bored night and day for his support.
8. Irreproachable and blameless
". 10Y. He did not claim to be fault
less, but he boldly challenged them as
to his blamelessness
8. His lofty aim wv. II, 12). It
was that they would walk worthy of
God in keeping with their high calling.
III. Paul Preaching in Berea (Acts
17:10-15).
/. His method ". 10Y. He entered
the Jewish synagogue and preached
Christ unto them.
2. The reception Of the gospel by
the Bereans wv. II, 12). 1t was with
gladness of heart. The message was
Just as new to these Jews and just
as counter to their way Of thinking as
It was to the Thessalonian Jews, but
they had a more noble disposition.
Two things are said of them:
a. They received the message
gladly.
b. They searched the Scriptures
daily for the truthfulness Of the mes
sage which they had heard.
8. The wicked action Of the Jews
wv. 1870. Wicked Jews from Thes-
salonica followed the missionaries and
stirred up the people against them,
making it necessary for them again
to flee.
c.