Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-05-16
Sunday School Lesson Notes
BY REV. ]. o. SHERBURN.

Mayer. Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus.-Ac.s lG1-l2
The church greatly rrospered at Antioch
and out of its large number of various
nationalites, several men OF talent ant
gifts for public religious labors were
selected. One sure sign of renl growth ir
church is the fact that workers are de.
velopei. 1t is doubtless true that the
five men mentioned here were all men OF
culture, natural leaders and teachers
Saul is mentioned last though he soon
became first of all. The exact meaning
of the second verse is not altogether plain,
just what is meant by "As they minister
ed.' is not perfectly clear, some have
held that in the regular course of their
labors together it became a conviction
among these leaders that God had a
broader field of effort for these two, Bar
nabas and Saul. Others consider the idea
in "mnistered" to bo that upon some
solemn occasion possibly some anniversa-
ry day, while these leaders officiated in
the church. closing the service with the
Lords supper; there came special i'm.
preston upon them, wrought by the spirit
that God was calling these men to 60
abroad and proclaim the gospel. 1t is
certainly true that the prompting was
Just in accord with Gods usual method of
moving upon his people, when his work
in any place has bect me stable and strong,
then he prompts to an enlargement. 1t is
the missionary spirit, which has always
manifested itself wherever there was a
living church The matter of sending out
these two men having been determined
upon, it is natural to infer that specia
day was set apart for their "ordna. ion,"
as we would now say. the day was proper
lya day of fasting and prayer; and if we
need make question whether their
prayers on that occasion were of any
avail, the results attained by the evange-
lists then commissioned would be suf1ici-
ent answer. 1t is worth our notice that it
is said that they were sent forth by the
Holy Ghost. This might have been
understood by any careful reader. but
lest it might not be, 1t is particularly
mentioned.
From Antioch they went to its nearest
sen port, Selucia, town of considerable
note, and thence set sail for Cyprus. Some
reasons will naturally occur to the student
why they chose that field.
Some of the believers already mentioned
(Acts 1850 were from that island. 1t is
natural to seek place where there are
some converts. 1t was the home of Bar
nabus. 1t is natural to have special
desire for those who are near to us by the
ties Of home and country. Large numbers
of Jews resided in this island. The gos
pei almost always at first gainded foot
hold among the Genti!es through the
agency of the Jewish synagogues.
1t was land in sight from the coasts
near Antioch and those near Tarsus, the
home of Saul. What laborer in the Lords
vineyard has.not felt yearoing 10 preach
the gospel in those regions in sight him.
where he knew that it was not proclaim
cd. 1t may, moreover, be true that the
Spirit directed their course as we'll as sent
them out. Landing at Sllamis on the
eastern coast of the island they began to
preach in the synagogues of the Jews.
Thence they passed through the entire
island, doubtless preaching at every place
OF any importance. No incident is given
concerning their work at any point until
they came to Pdploe. a town of considera-
bic size on the west coast of Cyprus. Here
the deputy of the island known among the
Romans by the title of Proconsul, resided.
The New Testament gives us a Remarkably
good record concerning the Roman officers
who came in contact with Christianity.
The centurion in Galilee surprised Jesus
by his strong, practical faith. At the
crucifxion another officer of the same
rank avows his conviction that Jesus is
the Son of God. At Cesarea Cornelius
presents character every way worthy of
admiration. And here, Sergius Paulus is
said to have been prudent man; and this
is substantiated in the best sense. by the
fact that he sent for Barnabus and Saul,
and desired 10 hear the word of God from
them.
But with this officer was man, one of
Il large class in his time and even now in
the east, sorcerer; who pretended to
foretell the future. He doubtless obtained
II good living out cf his tricks and pre-
tended auguries as practiced among the
Roman officers and soldiers.
lie knew full well that, if the Preconsul
accepted Christ, there would come an end
to his gain, secured by necromancy. So
he attempted to oppose these preachers,
and keep his berth, by keeping the deputy
from the faith.
The act of opposition was bold one,
and The occasion demanded manifesto
ton of divine power well as divine
wrath This man of influence, and of an
earnest desire for the truth was In doubt.
The teachings of Christianity were new to
him, and while they commended them
selves to his conscience and he was ready
TO believe, his old religious adviser coun-
seled him against accepting them. If now
there could be added to the conviction
already wrought some tangible proof of
the verify of this new religion, the matter
would be settled with him and henceforth
he would follow Jesus. Under these cir |
cumstances 1t was only in accord with the |
established plan of divine working that |
miracle should bc wrought to complete
conviction. That opposition to Christ
might be openly rebuked, the miracle took |
the form of punishment to this opposi-
ton. A grave offense was gravely dealt
with. Paul denounced him, showed the
real meaning of his opposition-"To per-
vert the right ways of tho Lord"-and