Progress in World Missions

Acts 13:44-52; Galatians 3:26-29

GOLDEN TEXT: “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.”—Galatians 3:26

TODAY’S lesson continues the account of the missionary tour of Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by John Mark. Galatia was the name of a district or state in which were located a number of cities and churches mentioned in the account of Paul’s missionary tours—Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Antioch on the borders of Galatia, in the state of Pisidia. The Antioch of this lesson should not be confounded with the larger city, Antioch of Syria, from whence the missionaries had begun their journey.

In our last lesson we noticed Mark as the companion and servant of the two missionaries, but he discontinued his service at Paphos, and returned to Jerusalem; hardships or discouragements, or homesickness, we know not what, evidently for the time, quenched his zeal as a servant of the Lord and of the truth—assuredly much to Mark’s disadvantage.

Whatever the cause, the Apostle Paul considered it quite insufficient; so that one another occasion, when Barnabas suggested that Mark accompany them again, the apostle declined—which he evidently would not have done had Mark’s desertion been fully justified by considerations of health or necessity. It was a labor of love, however; no salaries were attached, and if Mark chose to discontinue his sacrifice, it was his own business, and he was the loser.

There is an element of encouragement, however, in Mark’s experience. Later on he evidently became quite a thorough and devoted soldier of the cross; was again accepted to the Lord’s service, and we find that the Apostle Paul expressed appreciation of his faithfulness. (Col. 4:10; II Tim. 4:11) Mark’s recovery of lost ground and his reinstatement by the Lord in His service, should be an encouragement for any who similarly have grown cold and lax as respects their devotion and sacrifice, and who have been consequently dropped out of active service of the truth. The Lord is very merciful to us in our weaknesses and imperfections, and as He restored Mark, undoubtedly He is willing, also, to restore all who will similarly learn a lesson from their failures and who earnestly desire and strive for reinstatement and the privileges of service.

The first stop in Asia Minor was at Antioch of Pisidia. The usual custom was followed, of going first to the Jews—to their synagogue. The trend of the discourse, on this occasion, was to show how God had established a typical Kingdom in the past, which had never reached the grand stage essential to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promises, and that the thing necessary and lacking was the redemption of the world and the forgiveness of sin. Then St. Paul presented Jesus as the Messiah—not merely a crucified Messiah, but also a risen one, who, because of His death for the sins of the world, was able to save unto the uttermost all who should come unto God through Him.

The discourse had a twofold effect. The honest-hearted, realizing the truth regarding God’s perfection and their own imperfection, recognized their need of just such a Savior as the apostle had preached; these were specially drawn to the missionaries, who, recognizing their right attitude of heart, assured them that they were already in God’s grace or favor; and that now the message of salvation through Jesus was an additional unfolding and development of the same favor that had already been extended.

Others were much less prepared for the Apostle’s words, and rather inclined to be envious of the attention bestowed upon the missionaries and their teachings, which meant corresponding disregard for the usual leaders of the meeting and for the doctrines previously set forth, which the new views were calculated to supersede entirely.

So we find also that the essence of the Gospel preaching of today, as nineteen centuries ago, must be man’s sinful and condemned condition, and his need of redemption, reconciliation and recovery from sin and its wages, death. This is the Gospel, which has generally fallen into disuse in the pulpits of Churchianity in response to the itching ears of the majority, the tares, and their call for the preaching of smooth things.

The missionaries were not discouraged by the opposition which their message aroused, but were rather made the more courageous and brought to the point where they explained to their vilifiers plainly, the true state of the case; that they were rejecting God’s favor, God’s plan, to their own injury, to their own loss. They pointed out that God, in His mercy, had long favored Israel, and that in sending the message of Messiah to them first, He was still favoring them; but that, according to His direction, it was their duty to proceed, and to tell the Gospel to whoever had ears to hear—to the Jew first, but also to the Gentiles. They pointed out that the lamp of truth which God had now lighted, was not to be for the Jews exclusively as had been His previous favors, but, as the Prophets had already declared, it was to be a light to lighten the Gentiles—salvation unto the ends of the earth.—Luke 2:32; Isa. 42:6; 52:10

QUESTIONS:

What lessons may we draw from Mark’s withdrawal from the service, and his subsequent renewal of zeal?

What great truth concerning the Messiah had the Jews generally overlooked, and overlooking it, caused them to reject Jesus as their Messiah?

Why did the apostles in visiting new communities usually witness to the Jews first?

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