[ACT:13:13-52].
Lesson 325 - Junior
Memory Verse
"They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" (Mark 16:20).
Notes
Hardships
It is interesting to trace the missionary journeys of Paul. Let us keep in mind that travel conditions in the days of Paul were not as desirable as today. He tells some of his experiences in his journeys to preach Christ. He says there were dangers on land and on water; the danger of robbers and heathen; the danger of his own countrymen; the perils in the city and in the wilderness. Often he was very tired and suffered great pain. Sometimes he was hungry and thirsty. At other times he suffered from cold and insufficient clothing. (Read [2CO:11:7-27].) We never read that Paul complained of the hardships he suffered for Christ, but he said: "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy" [ACT:20:24]). Paul had received a definite call from God to do a certain work and he was determined to finish that work. After he was saved, the Lord said of him: "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" [ACT:9:15]). Paul was to be a light to the Gentiles and be the means of sending the Gospel to the ends of the earth [ACT:13:47]).Barnabas
Paul's helper, Barnabas, was also a fully consecrated follower of Jesus. At one time he had owned some land, but he sold it and brought the money and gave it to the Apostles, so that it could be distributed to those who needed it [ACT:4:34-37]). When Paul was a new convert, Barnabas proved his friendship and love for Paul [ACT:9:27]). Paul was fortunate to have Barnabas as his helper, a good man who had faith and was filled with the Holy Ghost [ACT:11:24]).John Mark
Another young man, John Mark, also accompanied Paul on this missionary journey, and we find the three of them leaving the island of Cyprus. They board a ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea to the mainland of Asia and dock at a place known as Perga. Perhaps it is on this voyage that they encounter some of the perils to which Paul later refers. When they reach the shore, mark decides to leave the others and return to Jerusalem. This seems to be a great disappointment to Paul at this time; however, later on he speaks of Mark as a "profitable" helper in the ministry and talks kindly of him [2TM:4:11]; Philemon 24).All the Way
When one seeks God for forgiveness of sins, he promises God his life in service. Then as he draws closer to God and learns more about consecration, he seeks for and receives the glorious experiences of sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. But he must make good the consecration he has made. Many a one has said, "Lord, I give You my life." Without realising the full meaning of those words. Nothing is ever gained by turning back " if you go, go all the way. Across the rugged mountain passes they travel to the city of Antioch in Pisidia. Just ahead is a great opportunity for reaching many people in this city. Perhaps you should not have gone back, Mark; you could have listened, with Barnabas, as Paul preached a wonderful sermon in Antioch.In the Synagogue
It was on a Sabbath Day that they went into the Jewish synagogue. These synagogues were meeting places for the Jews where the Book of the Law was read. Tradition tells us that there were something like 460 to 480 synagogues in the city of Jerusalem; however, Antioch was not as large as Jerusalem. After the reading of the Law and the prophets, the ruler of the synagogue sends someone to ask the two strangers if they have anything to say to the people. What an opportunity for Paul " just what he was waiting for! At once Paul stood up and addressed the Jews, saying, "Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience." Then he rehearsed God's dealings with the Jews from the beginning of the nation down to the time of Jesus. Paul had studied the Law and the prophets under the great Jewish teacher, Gamaliel. Paul was able to recite the Law, and also to explain how the prophecies were fulfilled concerning Jesus. He told them, "To you is the word of this salvation sent" [ACT:13:26]). Those at Jerusalem who heard the Scriptures read every Sabbath Day, he said, were the ones who had condemned Jesus to death. Paul referred to [PS:16:10] when he said, "Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" [ACT:13:35]). This was the reason for so much unbelief in the hearts of the Jews: they did not believe that Jesus arose from the dead. Paul told them that David had gone to his grave and his body back to dust, but Jesus arose the third day. How much better to go to Jesus and have sins forgiven than to be under the Law, Paul said. He warned them with stern words to beware lest they should despise, "wonder, and perish." In other words, Paul plead with the Jews that they should not turn down the love of Jesus and be lost forever. At the close of the sermon, the Gentiles asked Paul to preach to them the next Sabbath. Nothing could have pleased him more, and the following Sabbath Day almost the whole city came to hear the Word of God. This made the Jews envious and they spoke against the words of Paul. But he had the answer for them: God had ordained that the Gospel should go "to the Jew first" [ROM:1:16]); that is why Paul preached to them first. "But seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" [ACT:13:46]).Expelled
Some of the Jews and a great many Gentiles believed and were saved in this great revival which ended rather suddenly. The Jews stirred up trouble and had Paul and Barnabas expelled from there. Then, as if to say, "You have had your opportunity and have turned it down and we go to those who will receive the Gospel," Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against the Christ-rejecting Jews of Antioch and went to Iconium, about 45 miles southeast of Antioch.Unto All Nations
God gives every one an opportunity to accept Him and be saved. Jesus said: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" [MAT:24:14]). In the days of the early Church, Paul and Barnabas were among the first sent out to preach the Gospel. Since that time the news of salvation has been proclaimed in all the world. Very few are truly seeking God, receiving a born-again experience and living according to the Bible. Nevertheless, the Gospel has gone into every land, and the end is very near. We cannot all go out as missionaries, but let us do what we can to turn hearts unto the Lord before it is too late. Some do not have the opportunity to go overseas as missionaries, but they can work for Jesus here at home. Some can give of their means to help support a missionary in a foreign land; or canvass their neighbourhood with Gospel literature and invite people to church. Are you ashamed of the Gospel? Paul was not [ROM:1:16]). Another way to help spread the Gospel is by praying for the meetings in the open air, the jail meetings, and hospital visitations. Every man, woman, and child can have a part in leading souls to Christ through prayer. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" [DAN:12:3]).Light in the Darkness
Paul, a Jew called of God to be "a light of the Gentiles" [ACT:13:47]), became a great Apostle and a great light. He never fell short of his high calling. Every one who is called of God today " Jew or Gentile " is called to be a light, for Jesus taught us, "Ye are the light of the world" (Mathews 5:14). Are we going to stand true to our high calling, like Paul, and be a light to the world, by our testimony and the life we live?