Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-05-29

Scattered abroad! AS the flying
sparks and embers from fire which
is wildly beaten will light many new
fires, just so persecution Of the early
Christians sent them abroad and
established new centers for the
preaching of the gospel. Verse 10
Of our lesson connects with Acts ga.
The ministry by Philip in Samaria
was paralleled by that of others in
Phenice, Cyprus, and now in Anti
och. That great city was not far
from jerusalem, but it was far from
God. A mighty city, rich in trade.
it was also deep in all kinds Of sin;
but there it pleased God to establish
a great center Of Christian testi-
mony. God loves to do new things
(see, for example, II Cor. SIT; lisa.
1919; Ps. 1913; Rev. 21:5).
l. A New Church wv. 1920.
What a splendid church it was!
Here in the midst Of the most evil
surroundings the sweet flower of
Christian faith grew, as it so often
does.
1t was a church built upon faith
full testimony by Gods chosen wit
nesses preaching the Lord Jesus"
". 2O. Their names are not noted.
but their message is. and its blessed
results. 1t was a gathering place
for all people-Jews and Gentiles.
The disciples from Jerusalem
preached at first only to the Jews,
but God sent others ". 20, who
preached His grace to the Gentiles.
Note also that the Antioch church
was living witness. 1.-THE hand of
the Lord was with them"-little
wonder then that "a great number
believed and were turned to the
Lord" Your church-and mine
might learn much by studying the
church at Antioch.
II. A New Fellowship wv. 22-26).
The genius of Christianity is fell
lowship. Those who have a religious
belief which makes them exclusive
mot willing to fellowship with other
Christians-do not truly represent
their Lord.
When the church at Jerusalem
heard the good news, they sent Bar
nabas to help the new converts and
establish fellowship. He was the
ideal man to send. for +" he was .
good man. 1t is far more impor-
tant that man be good than that
he be brilliant if he is to edify young
converts. He was full of the Holy
Ghost He was also full Of faith
and no man that is not, need under
take the work Of instructing and
developing young converts, especial
ly converts from heathenism so dark
as that in Antioch. He was free from
the love of gold (4:36, 80. He was
free from personal ambition and
jealousy in his work wv. Is. 26. He
was very sharp-eyed to see the sim
cerity and promise Of young con-
tCkt No.GtJs WHICH lag was SOiAiCp
and had seen the grace of God, Chez
was glad John w. Bradbury.
Into this new fellowship of life and
service the gracious and generous
Barnabas brought new evangelist
Saul. Gods prepared man for this
hour.
But we have another new thing
In our lesson, one Of great impor-
lance.
III. A New Name WV. $500.
Christian, the beautiful name of
those who follow Christ was first
used at Antioch. It may have held
a measure Of contempt (see Acts
1928; Pet. 4:16), but 1t was q
remarkably suitable name for those
who had come out Of paganism now
to live, in their old surroundings, a
new life, separated life, the Christ
life.
This name combines Jewish
thought with Greek and Latin lam
guage, and thus. like the inscription
on the cross, bears witness to the
universally Of Christianity as a re-
Igion for the whole world. The idea
of Christ (Messiah) is Jewish; the
substantive Christ (Christos) is