按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Jerusalem some time before； had been laboring in 〃the regions of Syria and
Cilicia；〃 proclaiming 〃the faith which once he destroyed。〃 Galatians 1：21；
23。 Barnabas was successful in finding Paul and in persuading him to return
with him as a companion in ministry。
In the populous city of Antioch； Paul found an excellent field of labor。 His
learning； wisdom； and zeal exerted a powerful influence over the inhabitants
and frequenters of that city of culture； and he proved just the help that
Barnabas needed。 For a year the two disciples labored unitedly
157
in faithful ministry； bringing to many a saving knowledge of Jesus of
Nazareth； the world's Redeemer。
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians。 The name
was given them because Christ was the main theme of their preaching； their
teaching； and their conversation。 Continually they were recounting the
incidents that had occurred during the days of His earthly ministry； when
His disciples were blessed with His personal presence。 Untiringly they dwelt
upon His teachings and His miracles of healing。 With quivering lips and
tearful eyes they spoke of His agony in the garden； His betrayal； trial； and
execution； the forbearance and humility with which He had endured the
contumely and torture imposed upon Him by His enemies； and the Godlike pity
with which He had prayed for those who persecuted Him。 His resurrection and
ascension； and His work in heaven as the Mediator for fallen man； were
topics on which they rejoiced to dwell。 Well might the heathen call them
Christians； since they preached Christ and addressed their prayers to God
through Him。
It was God who gave to them the name of Christian。 This is a royal name；
given to all who join themselves to Christ。 It was of this name that James
wrote later； 〃Do not rich men oppress you； and draw you before the judgment
seats？ Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called？〃
James 2：6； 7。 And Peter declared； 〃If any man suffer as a Christian； let him
not be ashamed； but let him glorify God on this behalf。〃 〃If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ； happy are ye； for the spirit of glory and
of God resteth upon you。〃 1 Peter 4：16； 14。
158
The believers at Antioch realized that God was willing to work in their
lives 〃both to will and to do of His good pleasure。〃 Philippians 2：13。
Living； as they were； in the midst of a people who seemed to care but little
for the things of eternal value； they sought to arrest the attention of the
honest in heart； and to bear positive testimony concerning Him whom they
loved and served。 In their humble ministry they learned to depend upon the
power of the Holy Spirit to make effective the word of life。 And so； in the
various walks of life； they daily bore testimony of their faith in Christ。
The example of the followers of Christ at Antioch should be an inspiration
to every believer living in the great cities of the world today。 While it is
in the order of God that chosen workers of consecration and talent should be
stationed in important centers of population to lead out in public efforts；
it is also His purpose that the church members living in these cities shall
use their God…given talents in working for souls。 There are rich blessings
in store for those who surrender fully to the call of God。 As such workers
endeavor to win souls to Jesus； they will find that many who never could
have been reached in any other way are ready to respond to intelligent
personal effort。
The cause of God in the earth today is in need of living representatives of
Bible truth。 The ordained ministers alone are not equal to the task of
warning the great cities。 God is calling not only upon ministers； but also
upon physicians； nurses； colporteurs； Bible workers； and other consecrated
laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of
159
the word of God and who know the power of His grace； to consider the needs
of the unwarned cities。 Time is rapidly passing； and there is much to be
done。 Every agency must be set in operation； that present opportunities may
be wisely improved。
Paul's labors at Antioch； in association with Barnabas； strengthened him in
his conviction that the Lord had called him to do a special work for the
Gentile world。 At the time of Paul's conversion； the Lord had declared that
he was to be made a minister to the Gentiles； 〃to open their eyes； and to
turn them from darkness to light； and from the power of Satan unto God； that
they may receive forgiveness of sins； and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in Me。〃 Acts 26：18。 The angel that appeared to
Ananias had said of Paul； 〃He is a chosen vessel unto Me； to bear My name
before the Gentiles； and kings； and the children of Israel。〃 Acts 9：15。 And
Paul himself； later in his Christian experience； while praying in the temple
at Jerusalem； had been visited by an angel from heaven； who bade him；
〃Depart： for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles。〃 Acts 22：21。
Thus the Lord had given Paul his commission to enter the broad missionary
field of the Gentile world。 To prepare him for this extensive and difficult
work； God had brought him into close connection with Himself and had opened
before his enraptured vision views of the beauty and glory of heaven。 To him
had been given the ministry of making known 〃the mystery〃 which had been
〃kept secret since the world began〃 （Romans 16：25）；〃the mystery of His
160
will〃 （Ephesians 1：9）； 〃which in other ages was not made known unto the sons
of men； as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit； that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs； and of the same body； and
partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel： whereof；〃 declares Paul；
〃I was made a minister。 。 。 。 Unto me； who am less than the least of all
saints； is this grace given； that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ； and to make all men see what is the
fellowship of the mystery； which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God； who created all things by Jesus Christ： to the intent that now
unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God； according to the eternal purpose which He
purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord。〃 Ephesians 3：5…11。
God had abundantly blessed the labors of Paul and Barnabas during the year
they remained with the believers in Antioch。 But neither of them had as yet
been formally ordained to the gospel ministry。 They had now reached a point
in their Christian experience when God was about to entrust them with the
carrying forward of a difficult missionary enterprise； in the prosecution of
which they would need every advantage that could be obtained through the
agency of the church。
〃There were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers；
as Barnabas； and Simeon that was called Niger； and Lucius of Cyrene； and
Manaen； 。 。 。 and Saul。 As they ministered to the Lord； and fasted；