Middletown transcript., 1916-05-06
LESSON FOR MAY 7
THE MISSIONARIES OF ANTIOCH.

An interesting introduction to this
lesson would be to review the out
standing features of the life of Bar
nabas up TO this time His attrac-
tive character, introduction, and asso-
Citations with Paul are full of rich and
suggestive lessons. Following Peters
deliverance Of last Sundays lesson
we read of the end of the vile Herod
! (12:20-25.) The origin of this Antioch
church was perhaps in A. D. 40 fol-
lowing the dispersion after the death
of Stephen Q1:19-26). These converts
gave proof of their rev love by min
istering to the brethren in Jerusalem
q1:27-30) 1t was perhaps four or
five years subsequently when the
events of this lesson occurred.
|. A Great Church Q1:19-30). O
Their testimony. This new sect,
Christians" ". 26) made deep inn
preston upon this great city though
as yet it's testimony was to the Jews
only ". 19). The first evangelists to
this city from the home of Judaism
at the outset, however, spake to Gentle
Greeks. (a) They "spalle the word"
(W 19), as travellers and fugitives they
carried the message wherever they
journeyed. (b) "They preached Jesus"
! the only message that will reach and
stir an entire city. (c) They did it in
a conversational way ". 20 R. W. (2)
The workers (3:D. 1t is an amazing
array of names mentioned as one Of
the results of this Antioch revival.
Step by step God has widened the
sphere of activities of those who &C
cepted the gospel, and with every step
the stamp of divine approval was seen.
(11:2D. Those who turned unto the
Lord" not only believed but gave evil
dence Of repentance and under the
leadership of Barnabas, who had
brought Saul with him from Tarsus ".
25), large numbers were assembled
and taught ". 26). This ministry OF
teaching is a commendable type of
evangelism and while the term Chris
tian" is applied to these followers Of
Jesus (not of Barnabas and SauD, it
was doubtless first applied in derision,
and it has become the accepted and
glorious title (often abused or con-
fused with Christendom) of those who
follow our Lord.
II. A Great Commission 13:1-3).
The separation which took place after
Barnabas and Saul had resided in the
city for years time Q1:26), and
while they were meeting with such
outward success reminds us Of the
way the spirit separates Philip from
his work in Samaria (S:6, 26, 2O. The
Holy Spirit knew what was best for
these followers Of Jesus as the results
demonstrated. Among the great lead
ers the Spirit separated two for this
particular task, and the quietness with
which it was done as suggested by the
text, is in marked contrast with most
Of our modern plans for advanced
steps" No dollar dinner" or commit
tee Iuncheons and meetings. This
duty was presented: ID While in the
discharge of their regular duties, "as
they ministered" ". p. Just the form
Of this ministry is not accurately stat
ed, but it included fasting and prayer
". 81: and it was to the Lord" There
are plenty today who can do Church
work." but far too few who can min
lister to the Lord (not to people) and
who can by fasting and prayer know
what the mind of the Spirit is relative
to any advance steps needful in the
church (2) Under the Spirits direc-
ton. Just how the Spirit spoke to
this people we do not know nor much
care, but his message was unmistak-
able, whether audible or in the deep
recesses Of their hearts. (S) 1t came
while they prayed. An overly-f1lled
stomach is apt to divert Spirit-filled
mind. But an attitude of prayer is
the only one which can render us sus-
ceptible to the Spirits voice. He is
ever ready to speak and if we supply
the open heart and the ready mind
there will be no vague, uncertain i'm
pulse such as men often call 'the
Spirits voice; rather a definite task.
(4) 1t brought a united blessing. The
the fruits of this journey.
III. A Glorious Conquest ". 4-12). |
(D The Journey ". A. It was but |
natural for the leader of this expedi- |
tion to direct his steps first to his |
home (4:36). If our testimony will |
not receive hearing at home it is not |
of any great value. (2) The work ".
81. They followed the same plan as |
before, entered the synagogues where
teaching and discussion was the order |
of service and, to the Jews, gave the
word of God" Matt. Gid. Are we
able to thus teach the word, how Jesus
fulfilled" and what the result is In
that he did fulfill "all righteousness? !
80 The resistance ". 6-8). Bar-Jesus,
or "Elymas the sOrcerer," must not be
confused with our modern necroman-
GERS or sleight-of-hand artists. He was
a leading scientist of his time and his
position in the Roman deputy's house
hold is significant. He readily saw
that for the deputy to hear the gospel
would destroy his power and infiu-
ence (v 81. Paul, now first so-called
". 81, knew the blight of blindness,
physical and spiritual, and caused this
man, temporarily ". III to be smitten
even as he had been (9:8, II, 18). The
deputy had desired to hear" ". y
the Word Now he saw" ". p q
of the power of the
Spirit and as a result he believed" ".
12). Thus the punishment meted out
unon BIvmas worked out for good to