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privilege of offering sacrifice to the apostles； prepared them to turn
against Paul and Barnabas with an enthusiasm approaching that with which
they had hailed them as gods。 Incited by the Jews； they planned to attack
the apostles by force。 The Jews charged them not to allow Paul an
opportunity to speak； alleging that if they were to grant him this
privilege； he would bewitch the people。
Soon the murderous designs of the enemies of the gospel were carried out。
Yielding to the influence of evil； the Lystrians became possessed with a
satanic fury and； seizing Paul；
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mercilessly stoned him。 The apostle thought that his end had come。 The
martyrdom of Stephen； and the cruel part that he himself had acted upon that
occasion； came vividly to his mind。 Covered with bruises and faint with
pain； he fell to the ground； and the infuriated mob 〃drew him out of the
city； supposing he had been dead。〃
In this dark and trying hour the company of Lystrian believers； who through
the ministry of Paul and Barnabas had been converted to the faith of Jesus；
remained loyal and true。 The unreasoning opposition and cruel persecution by
their enemies served only to confirm the faith of these devoted brethren；
and now； in the face of danger and scorn； they showed their loyalty by
gathering sorrowfully about the form of him whom they believed to be dead。
What was their surprise when in the midst of their lamentations the apostle
suddenly lifted up his head and rose to his feet with the praise of God upon
his lips。 To the believers this unexpected restoration of God's servant was
regarded as a miracle of divine power and seemed to set the signet of Heaven
upon their change of belief。 They rejoiced with inexpressible gladness and
praised God with renewed faith。
Among those who had been converted at Lystra； and who were eyewitnesses of
the sufferings of Paul； was one who was afterward to become a prominent
worker for Christ and who was to share with the apostle the trials and the
joys of pioneer service in difficult fields。 This was a young man named
Timothy。 When Paul was dragged out of the city； this youthful disciple was
among the number who took their stand beside his apparently lifeless body
and who saw him
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arise； bruised and covered with blood； but with praises upon his lips
because he had been permitted to suffer for the sake of Christ。
The day following the stoning of Paul； the apostles departed for Derbe；
where their labors were blessed； and many souls were led to receive Christ
as the Saviour。 But 〃when they had preached the gospel to that city； and had
taught many；〃 neither Paul nor Barnabas was content to take up work
elsewhere without confirming the faith of the converts whom they had been
compelled to leave alone for a time in the places where they had recently
labored。 And so； undaunted by danger； 〃they returned again to Lystra； and to
Iconium； and Antioch； confirming the souls of the disciples； and exhorting
them to continue in the faith。〃 Many had accepted the glad tidings of the
gospel and had thus exposed themselves to reproach and opposition。 These the
apostles sought to establish in the faith in order that the work done might
abide。
As an important factor in the spiritual growth of the new converts the
apostles were careful to surround them with the safeguards of gospel order。
Churches were duly organized in all places in Lycaonia and Pisidia where
there were believers。 Officers were appointed in each church； and proper
order and system were established for the conduct of all the affairs
pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the believers。
This was in harmony with the gospel plan of uniting in one body all
believers in Christ； and this plan Paul was careful to follow throughout his
ministry。 Those who in
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any place were by his labor led to accept Christ as the Saviour were at the
proper time organized into a church。 Even when the believers were but few in
number； this was done。 The Christians were thus taught to help one another；
remembering the promise； 〃Where two or three are gathered together in My
name； there am I in the midst of them。〃 Matthew 18：20。
And Paul did not forget the churches thus established。 The care of these
churches rested on his mind as an ever…increasing burden。 However small a
company might be； it was nevertheless the object of his constant solicitude。
He watched over the smaller churches tenderly； realizing that they were in
need of special care in order that the members might be thoroughly
established in the truth and taught to put forth earnest； unselfish efforts
for those around them。
In all their missionary endeavors Paul and Barnabas sought to follow
Christ's example of willing sacrifice and faithful； earnest labor for souls。
Wide…awake； zealous； untiring； they did not consult inclination or personal
ease； but with prayerful anxiety and unceasing activity they sowed the seed
of truth。 And with the sowing of the seed； the apostles were careful to give
to all who took their stand for the gospel； practical instruction that was
of untold value。 This spirit of earnestness and godly fear made upon the
minds of the new disciples a lasting impression regarding the importance of
the gospel message。
When men of promise and ability were converted； as in the case of Timothy；
Paul and Barnabas sought earnestly
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to show them the necessity of laboring in the vineyard。 And when the
apostles left for another place； the faith of these men did not fail； but
rather increased。 They had been faithfully instructed in the way of the
Lord； and had been taught how to labor unselfishly； earnestly；
perseveringly； for the salvation of their fellow men。 This careful training
of new converts was an important factor in the remarkable success that
attended Paul and Barnabas as they preached the gospel in heathen lands。
The first missionary journey was fast drawing to a close。 Commending the
newly organized churches to the Lord； the apostles went to Pamphylia； 〃and
when they had preached the word in Perga； they went down into Attalia； and
thence sailed to Antioch。〃
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Chapter 19
Jew and Gentile
On reaching Antioch in Syria； from which place they had been sent forth on
their mission； Paul and Barnabas took advantage of an early opportunity to
assemble the believers and rehearse 〃all that God had done with them； and
how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles。〃 Acts 14：27。 The
church at Antioch was a large and growing one。 A center of missionary
activity； it was one of the most important of the groups of Christian
believers。 Its membership was made up of many classes of people from among
both Jews and Gentiles。
While the apostles united with the ministers and lay members at Antioch in
an earnest effort to win many souls to Christ； certain Jewish believers from
Judea 〃of the sect of the Pharisees〃 succeeded in introducing a question
that soon led to wide…spread cont