April 19, 1953 PAUL BECOMES A MISSIONARY Acts 11:25, 26; 14:8-20 Pointers on the Lesson
work at Antioch and Lystra are used to represent this first journey. His min istry at these places may be used to emphasize the missionary opportunities and responsibilities of believers today. Missionary Work at Antioch Acts 11:25, 26 Barnabas had been sent to Antioch to minister in that place (v. 22). Upon arrival there his heart was made to rejoice when he had “ seen the grace of God” (v. 23) as it was operating. Through his individual ministry many souls had come to know the Lord (v. 24). With the growth of the work Barnabas felt the need of help to carry on success fully. Thus it was that he went to Tarsus to enlist Saul for this ministry (v. 24). Barnabas manifests a noble spirit in this action. It was marked by selflessness and a burning desire for the Lord’s work to prosper. He knew something of the ability and call of Saul of Tarsus and felt that if he could only persuade him to come to Antioch great‘blessing would come to the church there. Barnabas was willing to fade into the background and let another accomplish greater things for God. The account informs us that Saul was persuaded to come (v. 26). Together for a whole year Barnabas and Saul labored in Antioch and “ taught much people.” The church must have made a real im pact upon the city for we read that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Though the name was prob ably given by those on the outside of the church and was sort of a nickname, yet it was a good name and soon came to be used the world around. It means “ Christ’s ones, anointed ones, or divinely called ones.” Dr. Harry Ironside said that when in China he was often introduced as a “Jesus’ man.” That is what a Christian really is. Missionary Work at Lystra Acts 14:8-20 Acts 13:1-3 tells how this fine church at Antioch, having grown rapidly under the ministry of Barnabas and Paul, were led by the Spirit of God to send these two men to other places to preach the gospel. While on this journey (trace it on a map) they came to Lystra in Asia Minor and bore witness to the gospel. An impotent man was healed of his life long malady because of his faith (v. 9). This healing produced such an impres sion upon the people that they thought that the gods had come down (v. 11), and they called Barnabas, Jupiter (the leader among the gods), and Paul, they called Mercury (the winged messenger of Jupiter). Even the priest from the temple of Jupiter came upon the scene and was about ready to offer sacrifice to their honor (v. 13). But Barnabas and Paul, of course, refused any such proceeding and turned the excitement into an opportunity to preach the gospel to the multitude (vv. 14-18). Alert fol lowers of the Lord will always be seeking ways to turn circumstances into avenues of approach for the gospel. But see how quickly the scene changes! Shortly after
the above scene when the people were ready to worship Barnabas and Paul, they were stoning Paul (v. 19). Barna bas seemed to have escaped the severity of this persecution. Paul was so merci lessly treated that they dragged him outside the city for dead. Many think that he did actually depart from his body and that he went through the ex perience of Second Corinthians 12:2-4 when he was caught up into Paradise and heard things unutterable. But such persecution did not stop these men from preaching the gospel (v, 21f). Helps For the Children Paul Becomes a Missionary Acts 11:25, 26; 13:2, 3; 14:8-20; 25-27 Memory Selection: “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26b). A new church had been formed in the city of Antioch. The disciples at Jeru salem sent Barnabas, one of their faith ful members, to Antioch to visit this church. Barnabas was pleased with the new church. After he preached for a time in Antioch, he returned to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him to Antioch to help with the training of the new Christians there. For a year Saul and Barnabas taught the people at Antioch. It was in this city that the followers of the Lord Jesus were first called Chris tians. One day the Christians at Antioch decided to send Paul and Barnabas out as missionaries to tell others of the Lord Jesus Christ. After a wonderful prayer meeting, the two missionaries went out on their first missionary trip. The mis sionaries visited many towns, preaching the gospel in each place where they stop ped. Some received the good news of salvation gladly. In some places the mis sionaries were persecuted. Because the Jews refused to accept the gospel mes sage, Paul and Barnabas at last offered the gospel to the Gentiles—all of those who were not Jews. God gave Paul the power to heal the sick and to raise the dead that others might know what a powerful God He worshiped and served. At the end of the first missionary jour ney, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church at Antioch to tell them what won derful things God had done through them. They told the Jews how God had opened the way for the gospel to be given to the Gentiles also. What a time of rejoicing there must have been as these great missionaries told of the many who had found the Lord Jesus through their work! Has your church sent any missionaries to other lands? How much they need your prayers each day as they serve the Lord Jesus. Perhaps they are suffering per secution and homesickness for His sake. Perhaps soon they will return and tell your church of God’s great work through them. You may have a share in their work by giving your money to provide their needs and by praying for them daily. You may some day be asked by your Lord to go as they have gone to preach the gospel in other lands.
Five lessons are being devoted to the study of the life of Paul. This week’s lesson, the second of these, is connected with his first missionary journey. His
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