The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-05-05
INTERNATIONAL.
NNMSG1OOL
LESSON
By e o. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
sunday School CourDo OF the Moody
Bible Institute. Chicago)
(copyrasht. 1919. Western Newspaper Union.N
LESSON FOR MAY 7


LESSON FOR MAY
THE MISSIONARIES OF ANTIOCH.
LESSON TExT-Acts l1:1s-so: 12:.S: Is;
GOLDEN TExTAGo 70 therefore. and
make disciples OF all nations.-Matthew
ISIS.
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 Peter'A
deliverance OF last Sundays lesson.
we read OF the end of the vile Herodi
(12:20-26.) The origin Of this Antioch
church was perhaps in A. d. 40. fol.
lowing the dispersion after the death!
of Stephen (11:19-26). These converts
gave proof OF their new love by min
istering to the brethren in Jerusalem
01:27-S0.) 1t was perhaps four or
hve years subsequently when the
events Of this lesson occurred.
I. A Great Church 11:19-30). (C
Their testimony. This new sect.
"Christians" ". 26) made q deep Inn
preston upon this great city though
as yet its testimony was to the Jews
only ". 49,. The flrst evangelists to
this city from the homo Of Judaism
at the outset. however. spake tt Gentle
Greeks. (a) They "spake the word,
". 49,, as travellers and fugttives they
carried the message wherever they
5ourneyed. (b) They preached Jesus"
the only message that will reach and
stir an entire city. (c) They did it in
q conversational way ". 20 r. w. (2)
The workers (S:1). It 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.
Q1:21). 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 q commendable type OF
evangelism and while the term Chris
tian" is applied to these followers OF
Jesus (not OF Barnabas and SAUL. 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)I
The separation which took place after
Barnabas and Saul had resided In the
city for a years time (11:26), and
while they were meeting with such
outward success reminds US Of the
way the spirit separates Philip from
his work in Samaria (8:6, 26, 27). 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
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
No dollar dinner" or commit
tee l~uncheons and meetings. This
duty was presented: % While in the
of their regular duties, AS
they ministered" ". y. Just the form
OF this ministry is not accurately stat
ed, but 1t included fasting and prayer
(v. 81: and it twas to the Lord" There
are plenty today who can do church
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
able, whether audible or in the deep
Of their hearts. (3) 1t came
while they prayed. An overly-flled
stomach is apt to divert q Spirit-flled
mind. But an attitude of prayer In
the only n which can render US sus-
ceptible to the Spirits voice. He is
yer ready to speak and II we supply
the open heart and the ready mind
there will be no vague, uncertain i'm
pulse such az men often call the
voice.; rather a definite task.
a. It brought a united blessing. The
whole body Of believers had q part in
the fruits OF this journey.
III. A Glorious Conquest ". A12).
% The journey ". ~. It was but
natural for he leader Of his expedi-
ton to direct his steps first to his
home (4:36). II our testimony Will
not receive a hearing at home 1t is not
Of any great value. (2) The work ".
81. They followed the same plan AZ
before. entered the synagogues where
teaching and discussion was the order
Of service and. to the Jews, gave the
word Of God" (Matt. SID. Are we
able to thus teach the word. how Jesus
fulfilled" and what the result 10 in
that he did fulfill All righteousness'E
co The resistance (v. 6-9). BarJesus.
Or "Elymas the sorcerer." must not be
with NJ modern necroman-
GERS or sleight-of-hand artists. He wa
= leading scientist Of his time and hin
In the Roman deputy's house.
hold u significant. He readily saw
hat for the deputy 70 hear tho gospel
would destroy his power and indu-
1nco ". 81. pnul. now frat a0-calla6