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again： I will sow her unto Me in the earth； and I will have mercy upon her
that had not obtained mercy； and I will say to them which were not My
people； Thou art My people； and they shall say； Thou art my God。〃 Hosea
1：10； 2：23。
The Saviour Himself； during His earthly ministry； foretold the spread of the
gospel among the Gentiles。 In the parable of the vineyard He declared to the
impenitent Jews； 〃The kingdom of God shall be taken from you； and given to a
nation bringing forth the fruits thereof。〃 Matthew 21：43。 And after His
resurrection He commissioned His disciples to go 〃into all the world〃 and
〃teach all nations。〃 They were to leave none unwarned； but were to 〃preach
the gospel to every creature。〃 Matthew 28：19； Mark 16：15。
In turning to the Gentiles in Antioch of Pisidia； Paul and Barnabas did not
cease laboring for the Jews elsewhere； wherever there was a favorable
opportunity to gain a hearing。
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Later； in Thessalonica； in Corinth； in Ephesus； and in other important
centers； Paul and his companions in labor preached the gospel to both Jews
and Gentiles。 But their chief energies were henceforth directed toward the
building up of the kingdom of God in heathen territory； among peoples who
had but little or no knowledge of the true God and of His Son。
The hearts of Paul and his associate workers were drawn out in behalf of
those who were 〃without Christ； being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel； and strangers from the covenants of promise； having no hope； and
without God in the world。〃 Through the untiring ministrations of the
apostles to the Gentiles； the 〃strangers and foreigners；〃 who 〃sometimes
were far off；〃 learned that they had been 〃made nigh by the blood of
Christ；〃 and that through faith in His atoning sacrifice they might become
〃fellow citizens with the saints； and of the household of God。〃 Ephesians
2：12； 13； 19。
Advancing in faith； Paul labored unceasingly for the upbuilding of God's
kingdom among those who had been neglected by the teachers in Israel。
Constantly he exalted Christ Jesus as 〃the King of kings； and Lord of lords〃
（1 Timothy 6：15）； and exhorted the believers to be 〃rooted and built up in
Him； and stablished in the faith。〃 Colossians 2：7。
To those who believe； Christ is a sure foundation。 Upon this living stone；
Jews and Gentiles alike may build。 It is broad enough for all and strong
enough to sustain the weight and burden of the whole world。 This is a fact
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plainly recognized by Paul himself。 In the closing days of his ministry；
when addressing a group of Gentile believers who had remained steadfast in
their love of the gospel truth； the apostle wrote； 〃Ye 。 。 。are built upon
the foundation of the apostles and prophets； Jesus Christ Himself being the
chief cornerstone。〃 Ephesians 2：19； 20。
As the gospel message spread in Pisidia； the unbelieving Jews of Antioch in
their blind prejudice 〃stirred up the devout and honorable women； and the
chief men of the city； and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas； and
expelled them〃 from that district。
The apostles were not discouraged by this treatment； they remembered the
words of their Master： 〃Blessed are ye； when men shall revile you； and
persecute you； and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely； for My
sake。 Rejoice； and be exceeding glad： for great is your reward in heaven：
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you。〃 Matthew 5：11；
12。
The gospel message was advancing； and the apostles had every reason for
feeling encouraged。 Their labors had been richly blessed among the Pisidians
at Antioch； and the believers whom they left to carry forward the work alone
for a time； 〃were filled with joy； and with the Holy Ghost。〃
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Chapter 18
Preaching Among the Heathen
From Antioch in Pisidia； Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium。 In this place；
as at Antioch； they began their labors in the synagogue of their own people。
They met with marked success； 〃a great multitude both of the Jews and also
of the Greeks believed。〃 But in Iconium； as in other places where the
apostles labored； 〃the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles； and made
their minds evil affected against the brethren。〃
The apostles； however； were not turned aside from their mission； for many
were accepting the gospel of Christ。 In the face of opposition； envy； and
prejudice they went on with their work； 〃speaking boldly in the Lord；〃 and
God 〃gave testimony unto the word of His grace； and granted signs and
wonders to be done by their hands。〃 These evidences of divine approval had a
powerful influence on those whose minds were open to conviction； and
converts to the gospel multiplied。
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The increasing popularity of the message borne by the apostles； filled the
unbelieving Jews with envy and hatred； and they determined to stop the
labors of Paul and Barnabas at once。 By means of false and exaggerated
reports they led the authorities to fear that the entire city was in danger
of being incited to insurrection。 They declared that large numbers were
attaching themselves to the apostles and suggested that it was for secret
and dangerous designs。
In consequence of these charges the disciples were repeatedly brought before
the authorities； but their defense was so clear and sensible； and their
statement of what they were teaching so calm and comprehensive； that a
strong influence was exerted in their favor。 Although the magistrates were
prejudiced against them by the false statements they had heard； they dared
not condemn them。 They could but acknowledge that the teachings of Paul and
Barnabas tended to make men virtuous； law…abiding citizens； and that the
morals and order of the city would improve if the truths taught by the
apostles were accepted。
Through the opposition that the disciples met； the message of truth gained
great publicity； the Jews saw that their efforts to thwart the work of the
new teachers resulted only in adding greater numbers to the new faith。 〃The
multitude of the city was divided： and part held with the Jews； and part
with the apostles。〃
So enraged were the leaders among the Jews by the turn that matters were
taking； that they determined to gain their ends by violence。 Arousing the
worst passions of the
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ignorant； noisy mob； they succeeded in creating a tumult； which they
attributed to the teaching of the disciples。 By this false charge they hoped
to gain the help of the magistrates in carrying out their purpose。 They
determined that the apostles should have no opportunity to vindicate
themselves and that the mob should interfere by stoning Paul and Barnabas；
thus putting an end to their labors。
Friends of the apostles； though unbelievers； warned them of the malicious
designs of the Jews and urged them not to expose themselves needlessly to
the fury of the mob； but to escape for their lives。 Paul and Barnabas
a