Paul Crosses into Europe

Acts 16:13-15; Philippians 3:7-12

GOLDEN TEXT: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 3:14

OUTSTANDING in the life of the Apostle Paul was his alertness and zeal in doing that which the Lord indicated to be His will. In response to the call, “Come over into Macedonia and help us,” we now find him in his new field of service. Paul and those with him were in Philippi over the weekend, and on the Sabbath, seeking an opportunity to witness for the truth, they went outside the city to a place of prayer located at the side of a river, knowing that they would find devout people there who might have a hearing ear for the message.

They had a wonderful experience. It was true in those early days, even as it still is today, that the people generally were not ready for the truth. There were occasions when it seemed that a considerable number became interested, but at other times the response was small, and the apostles and other missionaries of the time must have found it hard not to become discouraged. True, three thousand believed on the day of Pentecost, but that experience was not repeated. Thereafter the newly interested came in by ones and twos for the most part, and yet they came.

So it was by the riverside near Philippi. The experience of Paul and his fellow workers here was one long to be remembered, not because a large number accepted the message, but because of the warmth of heart and the genuine zeal manifested on the part of those who did believe. Among them was Lydia, the seller of purple. She invited Paul and Silas to make use of her home, and the brethren met there and together rejoiced in the truth of the Gospel. Later, while in prison at Rome, Paul wrote to the church at Philippi expressing his joy in their fellowship, a fellowship which had been precious to him “from the first day until now.”—Phil. 1:3-5

There is no joy this side the veil greater than that experienced in giving the truth to others. How Paul’s heart must have leaped for joy that Sabbath day when he found hearing ears among those gathered by the riverside for prayer! But there are also trials to be encountered. God knows how to blend the bitter with the sweet in every Christian’s life in order to assure that refinement of character for which He is looking.

Following the heart-cheering experience of finding new interest, opposition arose, and as a result Paul and Silas were summarily beaten, and thrown into prison. They were singing hymns of praise in their prison sanctuary when suddenly an earthquake burst open the doors and made possible their escape. But they did not take advantage of their opportunity to escape, and bade the jailer not to harm himself on their account, that they were not running away. The wonderful example thus displayed had its effects upon the jailer, and he accepted the message and was baptized.

Some have wondered how it was possible for converts to be ready for baptism so soon after hearing the message, as they apparently were on many occasions in those early days of the Christian era. One reason, perhaps, was that they didn’t have so many errors to unlearn as we have today, so that the truth could be grasped much more easily.

Perhaps, also, we tend to make the gospel message more complex than it really needs to be. The simple fundamentals of belief in Christ, and the surrender of our will to do the will of God, might well be grasped clearly and quickly by those whose minds are not cluttered up with all sorts of false theories. Anyway, it worked out that way back in those early days, and we must assume that the apostles did not baptize their converts until they were really ready for it.

Belief in Christ, and the symbolizing of one’s consecration to do God’s will, is, after all, but the beginning of the narrow way. The whole Christian life is then before us, in which to learn the details of the truth and apply them in our daily walk with God. Paul, like many others of his time, was baptized at the very beginning of his Christian career, but he continued to learn, and continued to grow. When writing from prison in Rome to the church at Philippi, as our lesson indicates, he still felt that he had not “apprehended” that for which he had been apprehended of Christ. He was still pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s statement, “This one thing I do,” was characteristic of his whole Christian life, nor did he become weary in well doing. His entire life, while lightened with the blessed and happy experiences was, nevertheless, one of trial. Every great joy seemed to be counterbalanced with a severe trial, yet he never regretted that he had entered the narrow way. There was never any thought of turning back. Even while in prison at Rome, he was still pressing forward, still rejoicing in the privilege of suffering with Christ, if by any means he might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

There is a valuable lesson in. this for us. One of the qualities we all need to develop is that of long-suffering and endurance. Many Christians run well for a time, and then become weary. This is true in the Christian life as a whole, and it is frequently true in the things we undertake in the service of God. We like Paul, should fight a good fight to the end.

QUESTIONS:

Why did Paul and Silas go to Macedonia?

Did people accept the truth in large numbers during the days of the Apostles?

What is the prize of the high calling for which Paul was running?

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