the acts of the apostles-第44章
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they meet with no more favorable reception； even from those who claim to be
Christians； than did Paul and his fellow workers from the people among whom
they labored。 The messengers of the cross must arm themselves with
watchfulness and prayer； and move forward with faith and courage； working
always in the name of Jesus。 They must exalt Christ as man's mediator in the
heavenly sanctuary； the One in whom all the sacrifices of the Old Testament
dispensation centered； and through whose atoning sacrifice the transgressors
of God's law may find peace and pardon。
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Chapter 23
Berea and Athens
At Berea Paul found Jews who were willing to investigate the truths he
taught。 Luke's record declares of them： 〃These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica； in that they received the word with all readiness of mind； and
searched the Scriptures daily； whether those things were so。 Therefore many
of them believed； also of honorable women which were Greeks； and of men； not
a few。〃
The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice。 They were willing
to investigate the truthfulness of the doctrines preached by the apostles。
They studied the Bible； not from curiosity； but in order that they might
learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah。 Daily they
searched the inspired records； and as they compared scripture with
scripture； heavenly angels were beside them； enlightening their minds and
impressing their hearts。
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Wherever the truths of the gospel are proclaimed； those who honestly desire
to do right are led to a diligent searching of the Scriptures。 If； in the
closing scenes of this earth's history； those to whom testing truths are
proclaimed would follow the example of the Bereans； searching the Scriptures
daily； and comparing with God's word the messages brought them； there would
today be a large number loyal to the precepts of God's law； where now there
are comparatively few。 But when unpopular Bible truths are presented； many
refuse to make this investigation。 Though unable to controvert the plain
teachings of Scripture； they yet manifest the utmost reluctance to study the
evidences offered。 Some assume that even if these doctrines are indeed true；
it matters little whether or not they accept the new light； and they cling
to pleasing fables which the enemy uses to lead souls astray。 Thus their
minds are blinded by error； and they become separated from heaven。
All will be judged according to the light that has been given。 The Lord
sends forth His ambassadors with a message of salvation； and those who hear
He will hold responsible for the way in which they treat the words of His
servants。 Those who are sincerely seeking for truth will make a careful
investigation； in the light of God's word； of the doctrines presented to
them。
The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica； filled with jealousy and hatred of the
apostles； and not content with having driven them from their own city；
followed them to Berea and aroused against them the excitable passions of
the lower class。 Fearing that violence would be done to Paul if he
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remained there； the brethren sent him to Athens； accompanied by some of the
Bereans who had newly accepted the faith。
Thus persecution followed the teachers of truth from city to city。 The
enemies of Christ could not prevent the advancement of the gospel； but they
succeeded in making the work of the apostles exceedingly hard。 Yet in the
face of opposition and conflict； Paul pressed steadily forward； determined
to carry out the purpose of God as revealed to him in the vision at
Jerusalem： 〃I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles。〃 Acts 22：21。
Paul's hasty departure from Berea deprived him of the opportunity he had
anticipated of visiting the brethren at Thessalonica。
On arriving at Athens； the apostle sent the Berean brethren back with a
message to Silas and Timothy to join him immediately。 Timothy had come to
Berea prior to Paul's departure； and with Silas had remained to carry on the
work so well begun there； and to instruct the new converts in the principles
of the faith。
The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom。 Here Paul did not meet
with an ignorant； credulous populace； as at Lystra； but with a people famous
for their intelligence and culture。 Everywhere statues of their gods and of
the deified heroes of history and poetry met the eye； while magnificent
architecture and paintings represented the national glory and the popular
worship of heathen deities。 The senses of the people were entranced by the
beauty and splendor of art。 On every had sanctuaries and temples；
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involving untold expense； reared their massive forms。 Victories of arms and
deeds of celebrated men were commemorated by sculpture； shrines； and
tablets。 All these made Athens a vast gallery of art。
As Paul looked upon the beauty and grandeur surrounding him； and saw the
city wholly given to idolatry； his spirit was stirred with jealousy for God；
whom he saw dishonored on every side； and his heart was drawn out in pity
for the people of Athens； who； notwithstanding their intellectual culture；
were ignorant of the true God。
The apostle was not deceived by that which he saw in this center of
learning。 His spiritual nature was so alive to the attraction of heavenly
things that the joy and glory of the riches which will never perish made
valueless in his eyes the pomp and splendor with which he was surrounded。 As
he saw the magnificence of Athens he realized its seductive power over
lovers of art and science； and his mind was deeply impressed with the
importance of the work before him。
In this great city； where God was not worshiped； Paul was oppressed by a
feeling of solitude； and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow
laborers。 So far as human friendship was concerned； he felt himself to be
utterly alone。 In his epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings
in the words； 〃Left at the Athens alone。〃 1 Thessalonians 3：1。 Obstacles
that were apparently insurmountable presented themselves before him； making
it seem almost hopeless for him to attempt to reach the hearts of the
people。
While waiting for Silas and Timothy； Paul was not idle。
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He 〃disputed 。 。 。 in the synagogue with the Jews； and with the devout
persons； and in the market daily with them that met with him。〃 But his
principal work in Athens was to bear the tidings of salvation to those who
had no intelligent conception of God and of His purpose in behalf of the
fallen race。 The apostle was soon to meet paganism in its most subtle；
alluring form。
The great men of Athens were not long in learning of the presence in their
city of a singular teacher who was setting before the people doctrines new
and strange。 Some of these men sought Paul out and entered into conversation
with him。 Soon a crowd of listeners gathered about them。 Some were prepared
to ridicule the apostle as one who was far beneath them both socially and
intellectually； and these said jeeringly among themselves； 〃What will this
babbler say？〃 Others； 〃because he preached unto them Jesus； and the
resurrection；〃 said； 〃He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods。〃
Among those who encountered Paul in the market place were 〃certain
philosophers of the Epicureans； and of the Stoics；〃 but they； and all others
who came in contact with him； soon saw that he had a store of knowledge even
greater than their own。 His intellectual power commanded the respect of the
learned； while his earnest； logical reasoning and the power of his oratory
held the attention of all in the audience。 His hearers recognized the fact
that he was no novice； but was able to meet all classes with convincing
arguments in support of the doctrines he taught。 Thus the apostle stood
undaunted； meeting his opposers on their own
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ground； matching logic with logic； philosophy with
