Golden Text.— “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.” —Acts 11:19. Read Acts 11:19-30.
19. “Preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.”
Thus did those who were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen, and in chapter 8:1 we are told that all were scattered abroad except the apostles. The Twelve were originally commanded to go neither to the Samaritans nor to the Gentiles, but rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and on one occasion our Lord said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:5, 6; 15:24).
20, 21. “The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” Thus in these new places the called-out ones were being gathered unto Him to whom all must come, whether Jews or Greeks, for there is salvation in no other (4:12). The Jews ask for a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but to those who accept Him, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:22-24).
22, 23. “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” This is written of Barnabas, whom the church at Jerusalem sent to Antioch when they heard the tidings of the Grecians turning to the Lord. They could not have sent a better man than this one, who had already proved himself a true son of consolation (4:35; 9:26, 27). He gladly recognized the grace of God wherever he saw it, whether in a persecuting Saul or in the Grecians, and he now encourages these saved people to cleave to the Lord alone and not to any of their teachers.
24. “For he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and much people was added unto the Lord.” Our Lord Jesus said, “There is none good but one; that is God” (Mark 10:18). His goodness was therefore through the righteousness of God in Christ. Many are thus righteous who are not filled with the Spirit, but Barnabas was Spirit filled (Eph. 5:18), as every believer should be.
25, 26. “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to seek Saul.” He found him and brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they abode there and taught much people. It is refreshing to see Barnabas and Saul together again, and to find them teaching the people at Antioch for a whole year. Very much is often accomplished in a week or even a few days of Bible study, but how great things must have been accomplished in that year of teaching by these two Spirit-filled men at Antioch! The church today sorely needs simple Bible teaching, that the people may learn to eat the word of God.
27, 28. “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.” Their message was not a cheerful one, for tidings of a coming famine are anything but cheerful, yet it is well to be forewarned. If you have learned some helpful lessons from the famine stories in connection with Abram, Isaac, Joseph, Elimelech and the others, you will not lack for profitable meditation upon these verses.
29, 30. “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea, which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” Paul afterward taught thus: “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1 Cor. 9:11). See also his plain and helpful teaching on the privilege of giving as in 2 Cor. 8 and 9 concerning a willing mind, and a cheerful giver because of the grace of God to us in Christ, and His making all grace abound towards us. Doubtless some teaching on the same lines had been given during this year at Antioch, and now the fruit is manifest. On this occasion they give for the body, but in chapter 13 we shall see them giving missionaries to go forth with the living bread for the soul.
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WE are obliged this month through want of space to omit the article on “The Roman Empire,” and also “Some Stories of God’s Servants,” “Short Scripture Studies,” and also other papers so kindly contributed by various writers. We hope, God willing, to use all these in due course.