International S. S. Lessons Exposition and Practical Application By R. A. Torrey Outlines and Suggestive Points By T. C. Horton
The Missionaries of Antioch MAY 7, 1916. LESSON VI. Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3. (Study Acts 11:19-30; 12:25-13:12. Commit ch. 13 :2, 3). G olden T e x t : “ G o ye therefore, and teach all nations.”—Matt. 28:19.
\ DA ILY BIBLE READINGS Mon., May 1—Acts 11:19-30. (The Lesson). Tues., May 2—Acts 12:25-13:12. (The Lesson). Wed., May 3—Isa. 40:1-9. Thurs., May 4—1 Cor. 12:18-31.
Fri., May 5—2 Kings 5:1-8. Sat., May 6—Rom. 10:12-21. Sun., May 7—Matt. 28 :'16-20.
EXPOSIT ION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
v. 19. “Now they which ( They therefore, that) were scattered abroad upon the per secution ( tribulation) that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice (Phoenicia ) , and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching ( speaking) the word to none, but unto the Jews qnly (save only to the Jews).” Probably twelve years have elaps ed since Pentecost. Our Lord had com missioned His disciples before His ascen sion to go and make disciples o f all the nations (Matt. 28:19, R. V .), and He had also told them, in connection with the promise o f the Holy Spirit, that they were to be witnesses “ in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the utter most part o f the earth,” but it had taken the early church twelve years to learn that the Gospel was for men o f every nation, and it took persecution to drive them out o f Jerusalem. The devil had intended this persecution for the destruction o f the early church, but as so often, he had over reached himself and the persecution that was intended for the hindering and destruc
tion o f the church really led to the spread o f the Gospel.' The persecution that arose about Stephen had sent the disciples to far off Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch. While these early Christians had not as yet learned all things, they had learned some things exceedingly well: (1) First o f all, they had learned what to preach, “ the Word.” (2) They had learned how to preach it, “speaking the W ord” (R . V .) : they just talked the truth in a natural, unstilted, conversational way. Apparently this was done/ for the most part in private conversation and personal work, and not in studied addresses from a pulpit. In apostolic times there was far more o f “ speaking the word” to individuals than there was to crowds. It is only by this way o f presenting the W ord that all men can ever be reached, and it is a work that all can do. (3) They had also learned who ought to do the preaching, viz., the rank and file o f the church; for “they which were scattered abroad,” who are here said to have preached the Word, were
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