Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-03
THE MACEDONIAN CALL
Acts, xv.36-x115; Romans,
xv.19-21.
Golden Text-Go We therefore
and make disciples Of all nations.
Matthew, xxviii.l9.

We open our study of the lessons for
the fourth quarter by considering what
Ramsay considers to be the most re-
markable paragraph in the whole book
of Acts" In the last lesson of the third
quarter we studied the work Of the Je-
rusalem Council, that recognized that
Christianity was not limited to men,
beers of the Jewish race. We see in this
weeks study how Paul, who had won
the battle for spiritual freedom, was
brought face to face with his duty to
carry the gospel into Europe.
Differences between BarnabaS and
Paul over the question of allowing John
Mark as a member OF their missionary
party became a serious contention.
Probably both men were at fault in this
matter, but it resulted in the formation
of two missionary parties. Barnabas
had championed the right Of John
Mark to another chance. Paul, recall
ing his desertion of them after they
left Cyprus. refused to hear OF it. Bar
nabas went with John Mark to Cyprus,
where, according 20 traditions, he died.
Later Paul and John Mark made up
and the apostle acknowledged his worth
as fellow worker. Barnabas was vim
dics ID in time but not soon enough to
have these two outstanding leaders open
the campaign to win Europe for Christ
by carrying modern civilization across
the Hellespont
God overruled the differences of His
two servants for the Masters glory and
the development of His kingdom. Paul
found q new associate in SilaS, whose
ability was recognized by the brethren
in Jerusalem. He was Roman citizen
and a Hebrew by birth. He was recog-
nized as a leader among the brethren
in both the Jerusalem and Antioch
churches. They revisited the churches
that had been established by Paul and
Barnabas in Southern Asia Minor dur
ing their first missionary journey. They
informed them of the councils decree,
which helped to increase their member
ship. While in Lystra they added Tim
othy, whose father was Greek and his
mother a Christian JeweSS, to their
number. HIS mother had failed to have
him given the sign Of the covenant. so
Paul had him circumcised, so as not to
arouse any hostility on the part of the
Jews. In their efforts to enter new
fields in Asia the apostle found through
the Holy Spirit that Paul's plans were
not approved He had reached TroaS.
where he was compelled to call in a
physician Here in this sire tegic sea-
port, where men from all Mediterranean
lands could be seen. Paul fought out
the battle of his life that determined
the destiny Of modern civilization.
Macedonian Call
Evidently Paul had started out upon
his second missionary journey without
a definite plan to attempt to win the
Roman world for Christ. He had for
mulated certain principles concerning
missionary activities that today ere ac-
cepted as fundamental. He passed over
the territory where there existed a
strong Jewish influence. He sought
strategic centers of population in Ro-
man provinces, where he preached and
instituted churches. He looked upon
the Gospel rs adapted to the needs OF
all mankind. He presented it to all
men in a simple, straightforward man
ner under the leadership Of the Holy
Spirit. He placed the responsibility
upon all his converts to become per-
sonal workers for Christ and His
church. Each organization was to be
self-supporting. Individually they were
to be free from the handicaps of any
Journalism and requirements Of the
Jewish faith. They were to aid by their
gifts the struggling interests.
Reaching Troas, Paul had no def
mite program The countries that ne
had planned to enter he found were
closed to him by the voice Of the Holy
Spirit. He had longed to carry the
gospel to the East, but there in Troas
Paul was made to see that he should
enter Europe with the gospel. 1t may
DOMAIN, possibly Luke, the beloved
physician. who joined his missionary
party at this time, that Paul learned of
the needs Of Macedonia. He saw the
figure of the Macedonian man standing
before him and begging him to come
over into Macedonia and help US.
Civilization Enters Europe.
Paul was convinced that the vision
was a message from God summonlng
him to enter Europe. Immediately ne
tried to carry out the divine command.
He secured the earliest possible passage
and crossed the Hellespont. depending
upon the sustaining power OF God for
the success of this missionary venture
Four hundred years previously XerXes.
a mighty monarch. set forth with
an army of 100000 men to con-
quer Europe and failed. Not by
might. nor by power, but by My Spirit,
saith the Lord" inspired Paul to at
tempt the conquest of Europe. The in
conspicuous band that landed with
Hdul III SISSSS dlCA dSOCo III
but according to Guizot, They carried
civilizatiory into Europe" His 1nstruc-
ton and influence have nodded modern
civilization, changed the character OF
men, and turned the streams OF clyln-
cation into new channels.
When Paul reached Philippi he found
a CITY that was different from those
where he had carried on his mission
airy work. Among the large number OF
Greek-speaking inhabitants OF this
strong Roman colony Paul could not in
his survey of the city find a single
Jewish synagogue. He learned of a
few women who met for prayer upon
the Sabbath by the riverside. It ap-
peared to offer the best point OF con-
tact with which to commence winning
the Roman Empire for Christ and His
church No newspaper carried the
notice of that meeting, yet Paul dis
covered it, so he with his friends sought
out the place on the riverside, where
they Joined the women in worship.
Many would not have looked upon
that small meeting as an excellent
opening for the establishment OF a
church and the planting of Christian
ity in Europe. Paul had learned to
depend upon his Lords leadership, and
he won that day for the Lord Jesus
"God-fearing" woman, who possessed
wealth and greater privileges than most
Macedonian women. She was native
of a section in Asia where Paul had