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out the great t ruth s concerning the to the work which resulted in giving the death and resur rection of J esus Christ, Gospel to the whole world. It was to and a great number believed.
four unordained men that the Spirit gave direction to lay their hands upon Paul and Barnabas and send them forth upon the greatest mission the world has ever known (Acts 13: 1-3). (3) BARNABAS AS A LABORER ; the Loyal Missionary. Paul and Barnabas abode a long time in Antioch of Syria, the headquarters of the Gentile church. Certain teachers came down from Jerusalem who taught that the Gentile converts must be cir– cumcised to insure salvation. Paul and Barnabas withstood this teaching, con– tending that it was unauthorized. The dissension resulted In a deputation being sent to Jerusalem In order that the question might be settled, and Paul, Barnabas and certain others were chosen for the important mission. Arriving at Jerusalem, the church re– ceived them and they rehearsed God's' wonderful workings with them, but cer– tain of the Pharisees contended with them. Then the apostles and elders came together In a separate council to consider the vexed question. Paul and Barnabas bore testimony to the fact that God had wrought the same mir– acles and work of grace among the Gentiles that had been wrought among the Jews and that. there had been the same evidence of His grace and power. The result of the discussion was a triumph for the Spirit, proclaiming freedom from ecclesiastical bondage, freedom from the notions of hnman righteousness and freedom from the ob– stinacy and perverseness of human pre– judice. It is beautiful to note the commen– dation given to Paul and Barnabas. They are called "beloved," " men who have hazarded their lives." Thus the church set Its seal upon the work of the Holy Spirit and acknowledged the love and devotion of these faithful servants.
The Jewish church In Jerusalem soon heard of it, and Barnabas was selected to look Into this unauthorized proceed– ing. They chose a good man for the purpose. He was a surrendered man, for bad he not sold his possessions and laid the price at the apostles' feet? He was a courageous man as shown in his championship of Saul. He was a wise man for he was able to see that the con– ditions In Antioch demanded a man like Saul, and went after him. He was an hwnble man for when he was sent out with Saul from Antioch, having had the · first place, he surrendered that place to Saul without complaint. Barnabas showed his wisdom In not interfering with the work among the Gentiles, but in conserving it so that both Jew and Greek were built up In the faith. It takes grace to be able to see the hand of the Lord in the work which we ourselves have not originated and which may be contrary to our no– tion of how the work of the Lord should be carried on. Paul said to the Philippians, "Whether In·pretense or In truth Christ is preached; and therein I rejoice." Barnabas urged these new converts to "cleave to the Lord." No sounder ad– monition could be given. We are con– verted when we turn to the Lord. We are saved when we believe In the Lord. We bring 'forth fruit when we abide in the Lord. We show our devotion when we cleave to the Lord. "As we have re– ceived Christ Jesus the Lord, so let us walk In Him." It Is remarkable how the Lord uses humble men In bringing about His pur– poses. It was the simple layman, Bar– nabas, who sought out Paul and brought him to the great center of Gen– tile Christian activity, Introducing him
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