Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-17
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

stirred up the "gangsters to stage d
riot and attack the house OF Jason, who
had provided lodgings for the mission
aries" They aroused the city by their
false charges that Paul and his asso-
ciates were fostering sedition and that
they were revolutionary enemies OF the
city and public welfare. Friends warned
Faul and protected the mission aries
from the danger that threatened them.
Jason was compelled to bear the brunt
Of the> gangsters' effort to arouse the
multitude. When he was arrested and
brought before the city rulers they al
lowed Jason and his friends to go free,
when they had given bonds to maintain
the peace of the city. Ramsay believes
that the existence of this bond with
its deposit of money wes the reason
that prevented Paul from visiting Thes-
salonica again and he refers to that
when he speaks of Satan hindering his
return"
The brethren sent Paul away that
night to another field of labor, but the
result Of his efforts in Thessalonica
have been seen in the history OF that
church's efforts to advance Christs
work and build up the Kingdom of God.
Paul had won a great triumph, al
though his prosecutors had won an APP
parent victory. The apostles enemies
listing profitable customs. Humanity
has not changed. The boycott reveals
the same spirit of resentment When
men In power are not disturbed, nor
personal gains interfered with. public
affairs run smoothly: but when new
ideas that are subversive to the old,
that mean the overthrow Of old dogmas,
are taught, open opposition is always
stirred up. Men are slow to change
.i,.HA lnI &c but HIh
Paul reached Berea he found Jews
with open minds and hearts.
The Noble Bereans.
Paul and Silas received hearty well
come from the Jews Of that city when
they attended worship in the Berean
Synagogue. The rabbi evidently pos
sessed a broad and open mind. He
searched, and probably urged his peo-
for themselves whether Pauls claims
were in accordance with Gods revealed
will to His people. There he reasoned
with them out Of the Scriptures, as he
had in ThesSalonica, pointing out the
prophecies concerning suffering Mes
Siah. Whenever they cited a tradition
of their faith, Paul appealed to the
Old Testament as the basis for his view
that Jesus had tread the wine press
rejected of men," His gospel centered
around the cross and the resurrection.
Following the example of the Master on
the way to Emmaus, Paul showed con-
clusively that the Scriptures predicted
that the Messiah's suffering would lead
to glory.
Pauls appeal to the Scriptures had
far different result in B9rea than 1t
did in Thessalonica. for they received
the word with readiness of mind, ex-
aiming the Scriptures daily, whether
these things were So" They tested the
teachings of Paul by the revelations that
had been made to Israel by thu prophets.
The apostle commended their candor
courtesy and culture. The Bible is still
our supreme authority in all matters
concerning religion While 1t contains
science. the Bible is not an authority
upon scientific subjects. The world has
placed in its hall of fame devoted and
earnest scientists who have found not
only spiritual help from the daily study
Of Gods Holy Word, but have seen many
illustrations of the Scriptures truth in
nature. When rightly understood. the
Bible does not differ from any truth OF
science. that can be demonstrated to
be such either in the laboratory or the
field. They supplement each other, so
We should pray with the Psalmist, open
mine eyes to see the wonders of Thy
law" written in the parchment of time,
on the scroll of nature or in His re-
vealed Word. The study Of the Old
Testament resulted in the founding of
a strong Bib ical body of believers, who
could not be disturbed when the one
mics from Thessalonica. hearing Of his
success In Berea, came and made an
effort to overthrow the apostles work,
just as they had done in Thessalonica.