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STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

—INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS—

SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL. PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.

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PAUL CALLED TO EUROPE

III. QUAR., LESSON I., JULY 2, ACTS 16:6-15

Golden Text:—”Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.”—Matt. 28:19

In considering the narrative of this lesson, the main points to be observed are the influence of the holy Spirit in directing the course of the gospel, and the evident watchfulness of the Apostle for such direction. While neither Paul nor the other apostles sat in idleness waiting for extraordinary or miraculous leadings of the Spirit of God, they were mindful of such indications when the Lord’s will was so expressed. But, ordinarily, they expected to make use of their own judgment enlightened by their knowledge of the truth and of the objects to be accomplished by its promulgation. And if, in the use of their own best judgment, they made a mistake, and the Lord, by some special providence or vision or impressive dream, indicated otherwise, they carefully followed such leadings.

Thus, for instance, Paul, using his judgment as a steward of the Lord (1 Cor. 4:1), went, accompanied by Silas, through Syria, Silicia, Phrygia and Galatia, confirming the churches previously established there (Acts 15:36,40,41; 16:1-6); and the Lord evidently approved their course so far, since he interposed no providential indication to the contrary, but blessed their efforts to the furtherance of the gospel. But, having gone thus far without any providential interference, and, in further use of his own best judgment, having planned to carry the gospel into Asia, the holy Spirit in some manner indicated that such was not the divine will at that time (verse 6); so the Apostle turned his course in a westerly direction, thinking to stop in Bithynia, a province of Asia Minor: but again God’s power or spirit manifestly hindered; so he continued his journey to Troas, where, in a vision, the open door for him in Macedonia (Greece) was indicated.

Thus, by divine direction, the course of the gospel was turned westward into Europe, instead of continuing in Asia as the Apostle had thought to do. And westward has been the general course of the Gospel since. Just why it was to be so, is nowhere stated; but in the light of the present day the reason is apparent.

To the eastward lay India and China, whose people, bound by customs and superstitions, were, so to speak, confirmed in ancient error; while the conditions in Europe were quite the reverse. That was the formative period in Europe. The peoples of Europe were not old, established nations; and the unrest and change incident to those times, the rival ambitions which brought about great invasions and revolutions and changes of government, and the intermingling of the various peoples, produced mental activity and acuteness favorable to the consideration and appreciation of the gospel on the part of those who desired righteousness and truth. Mental lethargy, undue conservatism and superstition are obstacles to progress, and must be rudely handled before the truth can be received and appreciated. It is also noticeable that a very similar preparation was given to Israel, to fit them to receive the instructions of the Law and the prophets.

It should be noticed, too, that God thus providentially sent the gospel message, not to the most debased and ignorant people of the world, but to the most civilized and best educated; for at that time Greece was the very center of learning, as Rome was the center of the political world. The gospel which God was sending, and which the Apostle bore, was “good tidings of great joy for all people;” it was a reasonable gospel, which would stand the light and criticism of the keenest philosophy, and did not need to seek out the degraded and superstitious classes or races of the world.

While, as expressed in the golden text, it was a part of the divine will that ultimately this gospel should go to all peoples, yet it is clearly marked by God’s providence that it is his will that it shall go to the less degraded first, and to the more degraded later.

And the reasonableness of this is evident when we remember that God’s plan is to select the Church, the Christ (Head and body), first, and then to use that Church as his agency for blessing all nations in the Millennial age. Hence, while our efforts should be to “do good unto all men as we

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have opportunity,” it should be “especially to the household of faith” and to people best able, mentally, to appreciate the message.

It is presumed by some, from the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, recorded in the preceding chapter (verses 37-40), with reference to taking John Mark with them on this missionary tour, and which resulted in their separation, that both brethren were at fault, and that neither one manifested the

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spirit of Christ toward the other. This is probably based on the statement that the contention was sharp between them. But the expression does not imply that either one was abusive or unkind to the other; but rather, that both were positive in their mental decisions on the subject, and so expressed themselves and so acted.

The difficulty, however, was on the part of Barnabas. Paul was the “Apostle to the Gentiles,” the “chosen vessel” of the Lord to bear his name to the Gentiles; while Barnabas was honored in being his associate and helper in the work. Paul’s course was the one that was being specially directed, guided and supervised by the Lord (notice specially chapter 16:9), and Barnabas should have recognized the apostleship of Paul, and, so far as his judgment would permit, he should have deferred to Paul’s judgment. But, instead, he placed himself as the superior and director, and “determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.” But Paul, remembering John’s former unfaithfulness in forsaking them in the midst of the work, wisely deemed it inexpedient to trust him on this occasion, and objected. Instead of continuing in company and cooperation with this “chosen vessel of the Lord,” and humbly deferring to his judgment in a matter where conscience was not at stake, or of trusting the Lord to correct the Apostle’s mistakes, if he made them, Barnabas preferred to leave this favored position of service and to go out himself with John.

The whole appearance favors the opinion of some that Barnabas let a little pride take root in his heart; that it was first manifested when he “determined” to take John with them, whether Paul approved the arrangement or not; and that it speedily grew until it separated him from the special privileges of service which he had hitherto enjoyed in company and co-operation with the Apostle. Another brother stepped into his place, and it is quite significant that we never hear of Barnabas again. He lost his opportunity, which, seemingly, he failed to appreciate because pride raised up a little root of bitterness.

Having been joined by Timothy and Luke, the Apostle and Silas took ship for Macedonia, no longer in doubt as to the will of the Lord; and there they went to one of the chief cities—Philippi. Their first success in reaching hearing ears was on the Sabbath day, when they sought and found a company of worshipers at the river-side, to whom they preached the gospel (verses 12,13), some of whom, at least, received it gladly. And one of the specially interested ones is particularly mentioned as manifesting her love for the Lord and the truth by her works.

There is in this account that which is indicative of a very proper and beautiful spirit on the part of both Lydia and these ministers of the gospel, in both the offer and acceptance of hospitality. Lydia evidently considered that it would be a great favor to entertain these representatives of the Lord—not because they wore fine clothing or bore titled names—but because they had borne to her a message from the Lord. Therefore she said, “If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord [and so worthy to entertain his ministers], come into my house and abide there.” She wanted to show her love to the Lord by her works. It is manifest also on the part of these brethren, that they did not intrude, and were not in haste even to accept the proffered hospitality. They questioned the convenience and ability of the sister to thus entertain them; for it was not until she constrained or urged them that they accepted her invitation.

From this lesson we learn: (1) To be careful observers of God’s providential leadings while actively pressing on to do his service. (2) As the Apostle was left to use his judgment, and was only miraculously directed when he had no other means of judging the Lord’s will, so we should expect with all God’s people. And since now the Word of the Lord’s testimony is complete, and helps for its study are multiplied, we should all the less expect miraculous interventions, visions and revelations from the Lord. Nevertheless, if we should have a striking dream seeming to admonish us of some neglected duty or opportunity, or reminding us of some Scripture teaching, let us profit by it thus—never, however, relying for counsel or faith upon anything but what can be proved by the Word of God. (3) The Lord himself exercises a supervision of his own work.

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— June 15, 1893 —