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THE KING’S BUSINESS
ism by getting people to study the Bible in the right way: vs. 13-15. “But when the Jews o f Thess alonica had knowledge that the Word of God was preached / proclaimed) of Paul at Berea (Beroea also), they came thither also (likewise), and stirred (stirring) up ( add, and troubling) the people .(multi tudes). And then immediately the breth ren sent away (forth) Paul, to go as it were (far as) to the sea: but (and) Silas and- Timotheus (Timothy) abode there still. And (But) they that conducted Paul, brought him unto (as far as) Athens, and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus, for to (Timothy that they should) come to him with all speed, they departed.” For all Paul’s success in Berea he was not allowed to preach unhindered. Satan raised up opposition to him there also, bringing down Jews from Thessalon ica to oppose and hinder the work. The devil always causes difficulty when anything real is doing. But the persecution at Berea only served to spread the gospel further still, and take Paul to Athens. Satan and the Jews whom he used never for a moment imagined they were further ing the cause of God and His truth, but they were, and all the opposition that .we meet today in our work for God, •if we conduct ourselves as we ought to under the opposition, will simply "serve to further the cause of God. OUTLINE death? Psa. 22 :l-7; Isa. 53 :3-5; That- His deliverance to death was God’s purpose, as Peter proved? Acts 2:23", That.He must needs suffer and be raised, as Stephen proved? Acts 13:26-31. Was not this Christ’s own argument after His resurrection? Luke 24:26, 44, 45. Is this the business of all preachers and teachers who want to convict and convert ? Acts 18:5-27.
They examined the Scriptures | "daily.” There is nothing more important in Bible study than that we be regular in our study and that we have a set time every day that is set' apart and kept sacredly for the study of the Word. (5) They studied the Scrip tures with a definite purpose and with the very highest purpose, viz., to find out the truth about Christ, and to find if the things Paul and Silas were teaching abbot Him “were so.” They did not waste their time in the examination of curious theories about the human authorship of the various books of the Old Testament; no, they studied what the Scriptures had to teach about the Christ. v. ,12. "Therefore many of them (Many of them therefore) believed: also of hon ourable women which were Greeks (the Greek women of honourable estate), and of men not a few.” Note the word there fore; it points to the reason why “many of them believed.” The reason is found in the preceding verse,' in the way in which they, studied the Bible. If people would study the Bible today in the same way the result would be that many.would be brought to faith. Paul’s converts in Berea were of all classes, many society women and many men were included in the number. Paul’s method of evangelism in Berea is worthy of study and imitation, not merely as regards results but as regards method. It was Bible evangelism, that is, evangel LESSON ( 1 ) Opening th e W ord in Thessalonica, v*. 1-4. Was it Paul’s custom to go to the syn agogue to preach? ch. 13:5-14; 14:1. Did our Lord use the synagogue for ex ploiting the Gospel? Luke 4:15. What was the probable argument of Paul concerning Jesus, as Messiah? Would he prove, from the Scriptures that it was God’s plan that Jesus should suffer
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