p. (357) | PAUL CROSSES TO EUROPE by J. O. Corliss

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 4, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 23.

PAUL CROSSES TO EUROPE.

By J. O. Corliss

[See the Sunday-school lesson (p. 15), and Acts 16.]

Doubtless directed by the Lord, Silas, with several others, remained in Antioch for a time with Paul and Barnabas, after delivering the message from the council at Jerusalem. Acts 15:33, 34. When several days had been spent there in further teaching the way of the Lord, Paul suggested to Barnabas that they ought to revisit those places where they had labored while on their last missionary tour. To this Barnabas agreed, but intimated his intention to take along his relative, John Mark, who, on the former journey, had suddenly abandoned them at Perga.

This proposition was not agreeable to Paul, and the contention between them caused so much irritation as to separate them. Barnabas then took Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas for his companion, and with him went on a tour to strengthen the churches in Syria and Cilicia, being recommended by the brethren for this work. Verses 38–41.

He then passed through Derbe to Lystra, where he found a young disciple named Timothy, whose mother was a Jewess, but his father was a Greek. The young man being well spoken of by the brethren of Lystra, Paul had him circumcised, on account of the Jews in that neighborhood, and took him on the journey. Acts 16:1–3.

At every church visited, these brethren delivered the decrees issued by the council held at Jerusalem, and this strengthened them in the faith and added to their numbers. They then passed through Phrygia and Galatia, but were forbidden by the Spirit to preach the message further in Roman Asia. Notwithstanding the restraint put on them, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but were again restrained. This was all made plain to Paul upon arriving at Troas; for one night while there he was given a vision in which a Macedonian was standing and appealing to him, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Verses 4–9.

This was evidence that God would have the message go to Europe immediately, and so the company became eager to start for that country. They therefore set sail, and landed the following day at Neapolis. From that place they made their way to Philippi, the principal city of that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. Several days were spent there. On the Sabbath they went outside the gate to the riverside, where they supposed was a place of prayer. There they sat down and talked to some women who had congregated at that point. Verses 10–13.

Among these listeners was a woman named Lydia. Her home was in Thyatira, and she was a dealer in purple dyes. The Lord touched her heart with the message delivered, and she and her household were baptized. She then asked the messengers to become her guests, urging that if they were convinced that she really was a believer in the Lord, they ought to take up their abode in her house. This she persuaded them to do. Verses 14, 15.

Without doubt this act of Lydia was dictated by the Lord. He had long before said that there would be no one who had left home and its pleasant surroundings on account of the Gospel, but would receive a hundred times as much even in this life, tho he would have persecution with it. It can not be that this promise is limited to temporal homes and human friends; for then many would be induced to give up one humble home for the hundred-fold. Without doubt, as with the brethren of Philippi, the Lord does provide shelter for His messengers in strange lands; but the abiding presence of Christ must supply the real hundred-fold of blessing, and afterward comes the everlasting home in the kingdom of God.

One thing in the experience of Paul, as related in this lesson, is worthy of more than passing notice. That was his constant readiness to move at the Spirit’s suggestion. Studying his life from beginning to end, we can not see one instance in which he made definite plans, and adhered to them. He seemed always to move in the direction indicated by the Spirit, regardless of human suggestions. If he started on a certain course, he was ready to change instantly at the Spirit’s call, without asking for time to carry out some cherished plan already in process of execution. His was a grand life worthy of imitation, even as he declared that God had called him to be an example. I Tim. 1:16.

J. O. CORLISS.