In its proper dress - the work of Paul and Barnabas

by contributor Joyce Voysey

It occurred to me recently that the chapter “Prayer” in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy puts prayer into its proper dress, so to speak.  It comprehensively points out the errors of the old way and gives us the right way to pray.

Then it occurred to me that the whole book Science and Health is setting Christianity right, pointing out how it had gone wrong over the centuries since Christ, and presenting to us the way to live a Christian life. 

Finally, it occurred to me that Christ and Christianity pointed out where the Jewish religion had gone wrong.  There is a wonderful article in the April 1897 edition of The Christian Science Journal which tells of a Jewish rabbi’s journey out of the Jewish religion into Christianity, including that rabbi’s child’s conversion into Christian Science.  See http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1897/4/15-1/retro-experience.  Or find it in hard copy on the shelves at your local Christian Science Reading Room – “Retro Experience.”

All that inspiration is the result of reading of Paul and Barnabas’ wonderful work among the Gentiles as well as the Jews, which the “unbelieving” Jews became enraged about.  Particularly Acts 14:1, 2.  Our heroes fled to Lystra and Derbe.  At Lystra, we find the man who had been crippled from birth standing upright on his feet and leaping and walking.  What joy!

Next Paul and Barnabas were worshipped as the gods Jupiter and Mercury.  Then we read of the stoning of Paul and his escape when the disciples “stood round about him.”  Verse 27 sounds like a testimony given at a Christian Science church.

There is so much of interest to mention!  Hear this from Dummelow:

The curious second-century romance, ‘The Acts of Paul and Thecla’, gives many additional particulars of St. Paul’s proceedings at Iconium, some of which, perhaps, are authentic.  Thecla, who belonged to one of the chief families of Iconium, overheard from a window the preaching of the apostle.  She was at that time engaged to a young man named Thamyris, but on hearing St. Paul’s words she became so enamoured of virginity that she broke off her engagement.  For this interference with family life, and for impiety, St. Paul was scourged and expelled from the city, and Thecla was condemned to be burnt alive.  A fall of rain extinguished the fire, and she escaped and followed Paul to Antioch.  Here again she was persecuted, but was rescued by Tryphaena, a lady of great influence.  The presbyter who composed this romance (though it was probably founded on fact) was deposed from his office.