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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Lord spoke,” the one into whose mouth God put His own words (2 Sam. 23:2). The ordinary work of a prophet is more in the line of exhortation and comfort than of prediction. Judas and Silas lin gered some time in Antioch, then returned to Jerusalem. Silas seems to have gone back to Jerusalem with Judas (v. 34 is properly omitted in the Revised), but he had become attached to the converts down in Antioch, and was soon back there again. His temporary commission as a delegate had made him a missionary for life. The bad work of legalists had resulted in good after all, it gave the church Silas as a missionary, and gave Paul the companion he needed. Thus God is ever making “the wrath of men to praise Him” (Ps. 76:10), and thus, as always, “all things (including erroneous teaching and efforts to hinder and upset the work of a true servant of God) work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). Paul and Barna bas also continued their ministry in Antioch. Their work consisted of two parts: “teaching,” and “preaching” (i. e., declaring the good news). They taught and preached only “the Word of the Lord,” not their own speculations, nor philosophy, nor psychology, but God’s revealed truth. But Paul and Barnabas were not alone in their teaching and preaching, there were many teachers and preachers in that church. While Paul was going on with his work of teaching and evangelizing in Antioch, his thoughts and heart kept going out to the converts they had made on their first missionary journey, and so when he could no longer contain himself he said to Barna bas one day, “Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we pro claimed the Word of the Lord, and see how they fare.” The heart of Barnabas too went out toward their converts and he readily assented to Paul’s suggestion. But here one of the saddest things recorded in the Acts of the Apostles occurred. Saturday, February 3 . Acts 15 : 36 - 41 .
Barnabas made up his mind to take Mark along. This was against Paul’s best judg- •ment. Mark had been given a fair trial on the former journey and had failed them at a critical moment. Surely, it would not do to experiment in that direction again. Missionary work is not for feeble men. But Barnabas put affection for a beloved relative (Col. 4:10, R. V.) above the inter est of the work and stood firmly by his ill-advised determination. There was a sharp contention between these two hon ored servants of God, and they never worked together again. We hear very lit tle of Barnabas after this, but God hon ored Paul and his work as never before. How many a true child of God has made a mistake just where Barnabas did, and put his love for those near of kin before wise judgment as to who should be used in a certain place. Some blame -Paul and say that the sequel shows he was mistaken, as at a later day he used Mark again (Col. 4:10). But this is utterly inadequate proof that he was mistaken at this time. Paul’s action at this time may have brought Mark to his senses. The whole narrative that follows both in substance and manner justi fies Paul. We are told almost curtly that “Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away (R.*V.) to Cyprus,” and that is the last we hear of him. But of Paul we are told that he “went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Then follow Chapter after chapter of victory for Christ. This is the first appearance of Timothy. He became a constant companion and helper of Paul to the end. He took Mark’s place. He is one of the most beautiful Bible characters. His faith was in. a sense an inheritance. It dwelt first in his grand mother Lois, and his mother Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5). Just when Timothy became a Christian we are not told. He had been taught the Scriptures from infancy (2 Tim. Sunday, February 4 . Acts 16 : 1 - 5 .
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