Evening star., 1921-08-06
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON

Our study this week has been Sc
lected from one of the most impor-
tant chapters in the Bible. 1t is one
of the water sheds of human history.
1t was an epoch making event when
the missionary movement was COM
menced at Antioch by the consecra-
tion of Barnabas and Saul ito preach
the unsearchable riches of Christ" to
the Gentiles. 1t is significant that
the record of the beginnings of mis-
makes no reference to "the great
commission" Christ's command is
the expression of the inherent love
of the Father. who sent Him into the
world, and OF the Lord who died to
save the world. Missions is the
His plan for the ages. 1t found its
expression in prayer meeting of
the five ministers of the Antioch
Church, who, in fasting and COM
munion, sought to know the will OF
the Lord concerning the proposed
work of two of their number.
1t was probably only a few weeks
after the return of Barnabas and
Saul that they opened up their hearts
to their associates. In seeking for
the leadership of the Holy Spirit in
their hours of service and sacrifice
they revealed the spiritual discon-
tent that is ever seeking to win
others for the Lord Jesus. The sue
cess of the years labor pointed to
the open door presented by the Cen
tile world. During his sojourn in
Tarsas, Saul no doubt carried on some
missionary work that would help him
to understand with greater clearness
Gods purpose in his life. At his con-
version the Lord Jesus had informed
him that he should become an apostle
to the Gentiles. This purpose had
also been revealed to Ananias. Gods
voice had spoken to Paul in the tenn
pie about His program for him to be
His ambassadors to the heather ma
tions when He said, Depart, for
will send thee far hence to the Cen
tiles" Gods grace had called Saul
to enter wider door, which had been
opened by his association with Bar
ma bas in the work of the ministry at
Antioch.
It was a momentous hour when,
after prayer, in response to the lead
ership Of the Holy Spirit, the Antioch
Church released Barnabas and Saul,
and bade them "God-speed" upon their
work amonk the Gentiles. The church
naturally hesitated to give their ap-
proval to this new undertaking by the
two whose leadership had played such
a prominent part in their spiritual
development. They could not oppose
the guidance Of the Holy Spirit, so
after a second season of fasting and
Il
apart for the work of winning the
Gentiles for Christ. This dedication
recognized their calling, but did not
give them any authority, for Luke
makes it clear that they were sent
forth by the Holp Spirit. who called
the two men, who had not been train
ed in the College of the Apostles by
the Lord to carry out Christ's pro-
gram, announced in His Great Com
mission"
The first missionary expedition for
the evangelization of the world set
forth when Barnabas and Saul, accom-
panied by John Mark. started for
Cyprus. There is no evidence to show
that the church at Antioch assumed
any financial obligation for their
lationship beyond that of sympathy
and spiritual support in their mis-
sion. 1t made, however. the Antioch
Church to be the cradle Of Gentle
Christianity, and transferred the
leadership from Jerusalem to Antioch,
te apostles. for missionary is but
anoter name for an apostle.
| Cyprus probably was selected be-
cause 1t was the former home Of Bar
nabas and John Mark. 1t was only
a 40 miles by boat from the neigh
within easy walking distance of Anti
och. The neighboring island appeared
to be a good missionary field, for ii
had been plowed and planted with the
seed of the gospel. The founders OF
the Antioch Church had come from
there, as had two members Of the
missionary party, which went forth
| that day with Cyprus for the Lord
Jesus. From the time they reached Sal
amis, until the end of their journey
| throug the island of over 100 miles
there is no record of any opposition
J or success. Not a single convert had