DAILY TEXT, From today Monday, March 18, 2024, These men act against Caesar's decrees (Acts 17:7).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Monday March 18, 2024

These men act against Caesar's decrees (Acts 17:7).

Shortly after forming, the Thessalonica congregation faced strong opposition. A mob of wicked people “dragged before the rulers of the city” some of the brothers (Acts 17:6). Can we imagine how scared those new Christians must have felt? This could cool their enthusiasm for serving Jehovah. But the apostle Paul did not want that to happen. He made sure the new congregation was well cared for. Later, he reminded the Thessalonians: “We sent Timothy to you… to strengthen you and comfort you for the good of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these difficulties” (1 Thes. 3 : 2. 3). Timothy had seen how Paul strengthened the Lystra Christians and the support that Jehovah gave them. So he could convey to his new brothers the assurance that everything would turn out well (Acts 14:8, 19-22; Heb. 12:2). w22.08 21 para. 4.

What good effect did the help he received from an elder have on Bryant?

What else did Paul do to strengthen his brothers? When he and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, they “appointed elders in each congregation” (Acts 14:21-23). Without a doubt, those named men greatly encouraged the congregations, just as the elders do today. Let's look at what a brother named Bryant says: “When I turned 15, my dad left home and my mom was expelled. He felt abandoned and sunk.” What helped you during that difficult time? He says: “An old man named Tony talked to me at meetings and at other times too. He told me experiences of brothers who had gone through trials without losing happiness. He read Psalm 27:10 to me and often spoke to me about Hezekiah, who faithfully served Jehovah even though his father was not a good example.” What effect did the support he received have on Bryant? He says, “Thanks to Tony's encouragement, I later began serving full-time, and that has brought me great joy.” Elders, be on the lookout for brothers who, like Bryant, need “a good word” of encouragement (Prov. 12:25).

How did Paul use the stories of God's past servants to encourage others?

Paul reminded his brothers that a great “cloud of witnesses” had managed to endure all kinds of difficult situations thanks to the strength that Jehovah gave them. (Heb. 12:1) He knew that the stories of those faithful servants of the past would help them be courageous and focused on the “city of the living God” (Heb. 12:22). And they can help us too. Who has not been encouraged by reading how Jehovah helped Gideon, Barak, David, Samuel, and many others? (Heb. 11:32-35). And the same thing happens to us with the examples of faith of our days. Many letters are received at world headquarters from brothers and sisters who feel that their faith has been strengthened by reading the biography of a modern-day faithful servant of Jehovah.

What does Paul's advice in Romans 14:19-21 teach us?

Another way to edify our brothers is by promoting peace in the congregation. We do not allow differences of opinion to divide us nor insist on our rights when a biblical principle is not violated. Let's look at something that happened in the congregation in Rome, where there were Jewish Christians and Christians from other nations. Since the Law of Moses had been annulled, it was no longer forbidden to eat certain foods (Mark 7:19). Some Jewish Christians were comfortable eating all types of foods. But for other Jewish Christians that was unthinkable. And this issue divided the congregation. Paul stressed the importance of maintaining peace and told them, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that would cause your brother to stumble” (read Romans 14:19-21). With his words he helped his brothers see that these conflicts could cause great harm to them personally and to the congregation. He himself was willing to change his ways so as not to cause others to stumble (1 Cor. 9:19-22). Like Paul, we can edify others and maintain peace if we do not fight over matters of personal taste.

What did Paul do when an important issue threatened the peace of the congregation?

Now, what if there are differences of opinion regarding important issues? To maintain peace, we can look to Paul's good example. In the first-century congregation there were those who insisted that non-Jewish men who became Christians should be circumcised, perhaps so that people would not criticize them (Gal. 6:12). Although Paul did not agree with that way of thinking at all, he did not want to impose his opinion, but humbly brought the matter before the apostles and elders of Jerusalem (Acts 15: 1, 2). By his handling of the situation, he helped maintain the peace and happiness of the congregation.​—Acts 15:30, 31.

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