July 1931 which are recorded the various journeys of the apostle Paul. The gospel was no longer confined to the Jewish nation, but was sent forth to all the world. In the transition period, Judaism lingered and gave color to some of the events of that time, but at length it faded into the back ground. The teacher of this lesson should be familiar with a good missionary map.- I. T he M issionary C hurch (13:1-14). In the church at Antioch, there are seven marks of every true missionary church. First, it was a church that had been well taught. It had been served by gifted leaders, having had five prophets and teachers—among them Barnabas and Saul. Having been thoroughly instructed in the things of the Lord, this church was ready to supply workers for missionary service. This is always the result of thorough Bi ble training. Second, it was a church that ministered to the Lord (v. 2). Here was worship of the highest order. The members of this church were not serving one another, or the strangers who might appear in their midst, or the city in which they lived. Their primary object was to serve the Lord Himself. This spirit is the center from which all true Christian ministry radiates. It manifests itself in the be liever’s talking to God about men, then in talking to men about God. Third, it was a church that knew some thing of the meaning of fasting. These Christians were ready to sacrifice and to practice self-denial. Fourth, it was a church that heeded the Lord’s leading. The Saviour speaks now through His word as clearly as in that day, but our ears are strangely holden, so that we do not hear; or, hearing, we do not heed. The Lord is still asking for messengers to be sent forth to the work whereunto He calls. Fifth, it was a church that obeyed the Spirit’s leading. As soon as the voice was heard, these believers responded with more prayer and fasting; and then, laying their hands upon the chosen ones, they sent them on their -way. There might have been some question in the minds df these Christians as to what would happen to their local church if such leaders as Bar nabas and Saul were taken from them. But if these questions arose, they were never uttered. The believers at Antioch trusted the Lord who, in choosing two of their number for special service, would surely provide for the flock that remained. Sixth, it was a church in fellowship with the Spirit. As the members of the church laid their hands on the two who were sent forth, they found themselves acting in unison with the Holy Spirit. Verse 4 reveals the fact that although the church had a large part to play in the matter, in reality, Barnabas and Saul were commissioned by the Holy Spirit. Seventh, it was a church that kept in touch with its missionaries and received reports of the progress of their work (14: 26-28). II. T he M issionary M essage (4, 5). The only message that the newly ap pointed missionaries preached was that of the Word of God. They did not stress
326 ever believeth in him shall receive remis sion of sins.” It is not membership in any particular nation that entitles one to salvation now, but it is simple faith in the Saviour of men. Second, Peter himself received instruc tion. When he learned that God desired to give to both the Jew and the Gentile the gift of salvation on the common ground of faith in Jesus Christ, Peter could not resist God’s will. Third, the leaders at Jerusalem were instructed concerning the breadth of the gospel. When they heard Peter’s explana tion, they had no further complaint to offer. Although they were unable to un derstand the reasons for the breaking down of the wall of partition between the Jews and the Gentiles, they glorified God. Finally they came to see that the gospel was to go forth untrammelled to all the world. The lesson rebukes national pride and denominational prejudice that causes Christians to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think. Lesson Q uestions Vs. 4-10. What did Peter see in a vi sion? What did the vision signify ? Why was it necessary for him to receive this special instruction? Was it natural for him to accept it? Why not? Why are visions not necessary for the guidance of believers today ? Vs. 11-14. While the Lord was prepar ing Peter for a particular ministry, to whom else did He grant a vision? Did Cornelius obey the command given him (10:7, 8)? Why was it necessary for Peter rather than the angel to give to Cornelius and his household the gospel of God’s grace? Vs. 15-17. What were the results of Peter’s visit to Cornelius’ household : to Cornelius? to Peter? to the leaders in Jerusalem? Golden T ex t Illustration Dr. Chamberlain, one of the oldest mis sionaries in India, was preaching one day in Benares. Among the devotees who came to bathe in the sacred stream, by which he was standing, was a man who had journeyed a great distance on his knees and elbows, with the pain of con viction at his heart. Hoping to be relieved of looking for judgment by washing in the Ganges, he dragged himself to the river’s edge, made his prayer to Gunga, and crept in. A moment later, he emerged with the old pain still tugging at his heart. In his despair he lay prostrate, on the bank, where the voice of the missionary reached him. He raised himself and crawled a little nearer. He listened to the simple story of the cross; he was hungry and thirsty for it. He rose upon his knees, then upon his feet, then clapped his- hands and cried: “That’s what I want! That’s what I want!” The world wants Christ, for Christ has what the world needs. T h e Gospel F o r Everybody A cts 11:5-18. Memory Verse : “The same Lord is Lord of all” (Rom. 10:35). Approach : When Jesus was here upon earth, there were many things which His disciples didn’t understand. Even after He went back to heaven and His disciples
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were filled with the Holy Spirit so that they could preach with power, there were s o m e things hard for them to understand. O n e thing was that the gospel message that they had to preach was to be told to everybody. T h e y thought that, be
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cause they were Jews, Jesus came to save only the Jews. God had to show them that Jesus came to save everybody who believed on Him. He chose Peter to be the disciple to whom He explained this truth and He did it by sending him a vision. Lesson Story: One day when Peter was in the city of Joppa praying, he seemed to see a large sheet coming down from heaven. In it were all sorts of animals. A voice said to Peter, “Arise, kill and eat.” Now Peter, as a good Jew, had been taught that some animals were not clean and must not be eaten. So he refused to eat them. Then the voice said, “What God has cleansed, do not call unclean.” Three times this vision came to Peter. Then he knew that there must be a meaning in it for him. He began to understand what it meant. He and the other disciples had thought that the Gentiles (that is, all of the people who were not Jews) were not as good as the Jews, and this vision was to make him see that God made all peo ple, that He thinks just as much of one as of another, and that the disciples must preach the gospel to every one, both Jew and Gentile. AUGUST 30, 1931 The Mission to Cyprus Lesson: Acts 12:25 to 13:12. Golden Text: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). I ntroduction This lesson is .the first in the mission ary section of the book of the Acts, in Appreciates Devotional Readings Every department of T he K ing ’ s B usiness is exceptionally fine, but the one that is most helpful to me is that of the Daily Devotional Readings. I feel that I cannot be without this helpful magazine. —F rom L ocke , N. Y.
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