The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 270

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264 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES they might ^'be preserved blameless imto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you," he added, "who also will do it.'' The instruction that Paul sent the Tliessalonians in his first epistle regarding the second coming of Christ, was in perfect harmony with his former teaching. Yet his words were misapprehended by some of the Thessalonian brethren. They understood him to express the hope that he himself would live to witness the Saviour's advent. This belief served to increase their enthusiasm and excitement. Those who had previously neglected their responsibilities and duties, now became more persistent in urging their erroneous views. In his second letter, Paul sought to correct their misunderstanding of his teaching, and to set before them his true position. He again expressed his confidence in their integrity, and his gratitude that their faith was strong, and that their love abounded for one another, and for the cause of their Master. He told them that he presented them to other churches as an example of the patient, perseveringfaith that bravely withstands persecution and tribulation; and he carried their minds forward to the time of the second coming of Christ, when the people of God shall rest from all their cares and perplexities. "We ourselves," he wrote, "glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: . . . and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with