The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-07-30
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Si1nndaySchoel
' Lesson '
(By REV. p. Is FITZWATER, ID. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the MOODY
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
tS, 1921, Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY 81
SAUL TEACHING AT ANTIOCH.

JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Helping Others
in the Christian Life.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Entering Upon New Career.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
A Years Teaching in Antioch
When God was about 10 launch the
missionary enterprise among the Cen
tiles, He arranged for Il new religious
center. Antioch was admirably
adapted for such a center. The upper
classes were Greeks and used the
Greek language. The government
officials We're Romans and used the
Latin tongue. While the masses were
Syrians. sprinkle6 among them were
Jews who had come for commercial
purposes; also travellers from all parts
of the world were in evidence.
I. A Religious Awakening at Antioch
wv. 1920.
1. The occasion ". 19a). The perse-
cution at Jerusalem scattered the
disciples abroad. This God permitted
in order to separate them from the
home people at Jerusalem.
=. The preachers ". 19a). They
were ordinary men and women, not
officials, but they were filled with the
yearning desire for lost souls ana
witnessed of the Lord Jesus in the
power of the Holy Ghost.
3. What they preached wv. 19b,
20). They preached the WORD" and
the Lord Jesus" All who preach the
Word will preach the Lord Jesus;
for He is its center. The real reason
why there are not conversions today
is the failure of ministers to preach
the Word.
4. To whom they preached wv. 10,
2O), ~ Some of these disciples
who were scattered because of perse-
cution went among the Jews only with
the gospel message. They had not
yet come to see that the gospel
purpose was wider than the Jews. (2)
Some preached to the Grecians also.
These were from Africa and Cyprus.
They were further removed from the
Jewish center, and therefore were
little more liberal. The success of
their preaching was so great that the
news of 1t reached Jerusalem, the
mother church.
%. Barnabas Sent to Inspect the
Work at Antioch wv. 22-24).
This was a wise selection.
1. The character of Barnabas ".
24). He was good man. 1t is
highly important in sending a man
to follow up a work of the Spirit that
his character be good. He not only must
be of an unblemished character, but
his sympathies must be broad. He
must be capable of entering into full
| appreciation OF the things about him.
Much mischief often results from
sending injudicious men to look after
the Lords work. He was full of the
Holy Spirit. This is an essential
qualification for pastoral work. Only
a Spirit-filled man can appreciate the
workings Of the Spirit of God. He
was also man Of great faith.
2. Work done by Barnabas ". 23).
He gladly endorsed the work and
earnestly exhorted them to steadfastly
continue in the faith. clinging unto
the Lord. There are many allurements
to tempt young Christians. The re-
joicing of Barnabas shows that he
was a man who could rejoice in the
work of others. He did more than
inspect the work; for many people
were added unto the Lord. Doubt
less he preached.
III. Barnabas Brings Saul (vv. 70,
26).
The work grew to such an extent
that help was needed. Barnabas had
the good jugment to seek Saul for
this important work. Barnabas knew
that the bringing of Saul would mean
his taking secondary place. 1t is
the duty of Christian leaders to seek
out men who are qualified for the
Lords work and bring them from their
places of Obscurity, setting them to
work in the Lords vineyard There
are many men in obscurity which IL
requires Barnabas to bring forth.
w. The Disciples First Called Chris.
tians ". 26b).
They were not called Christians In
derisiOn, as is so often asserted. II
was a consequence Of Saul and Barna
bas teaching there for a year that
they were called Christians. The name
was consequence of the teaching. In
all Sauls teaching he showed the
unique relation which the Christian
sustains to Christ. Since the body
closely resembles its head, Christ, they
were called Christians.
v. The Church at Antioch Sends Re
, lief to Jerusalem ivy. 27-3O).
The Holy Spirit through Agabu.
: made known a great dearth through
out the world This came to pass II
the days Of Claudius Cesar. Ever,
: man according to his ability deter
mined to send relief unto the brethren
which dwelt in Judea. They made vi
money for the poor saints at Jerusalem
and sent 1t by the hands of Barnaba,
and Saul. This act not only prove,
the genuineness of the work at An
tioch, but ii emphasized the fact tina
there is no division between Jew an,
Gentle.