The Gospel Moves Westward

ACTS 13:4, 5

IN THESE two verses of Scripture is revealed an example of genuine faithfulness in the service of the Lord. Saul and Barnabas had been sent out as missionaries by the church at Antioch. There is no indication that they were given specific instruction as to where they were to go, and apparently they were guided by the providences of the Lord. Seleucia was the seaport outlet for Antioch, and from thence they sailed to the Island of Cyprus. The first place they visited on the Island was Salamis.

Arriving in Salamis, they “preached the Word of God in the synagogues.” This may seem like a casual observation concerning the activities of these two faithful servants of God, but actually these few words tell a wonderful story of zeal and devotion to the cause of Christ which they represented. They preached the Gospel in the synagogues, which means that they gave their first attention to the Jews.

We are not to suppose that they intruded upon those who assembled in the synagogues for worship. Apparently there was an arrangement in those days to permit visitors to take a part in the service. And, like Jesus when he visited the visited the synagogue in Nazareth, Saul and Barnabas made effective use of the opportunity that was granted to them.

While the time limit for exclusive favor to the Jews had run out, and now God was accepting Gentiles into the church, nevertheless, there was a harvest still going on among the Jews, and in many instances when the witness was given in their synagogues grains of “wheat” were found and separated from the “chaff.” There was joy in finding these true-hearted Israelites, but the effort almost always finally resulted in bitter opposition and severe persecution.

ACTS 14:1-3

This part of our lesson directs us to the experiences of Saul and Barnabas at Iconium. They had left the Island of Cyprus, and were now on the Galatian mainland. Here again we find them witnessing to the Gospel in the Jewish synagogues, “and a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” Just how many were in this “great multitude” we do not know, but evidently there were a greater number in the right heart condition to receive the Gospel in Iconium than in many other places, and certainly Saul and Barnabas must have rejoiced to note the rich fruitage of their labor.

But there has always been bitter opposition to the truth, particularly in places where there is evidence that it may be gaining a foothold among the people. It was so in Iconium. “The unbelieving Jews,” we read, “stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.” Every faithful servant of God, at one time or another has experienced satanic attacks of this sort. The pattern is not at all unfamiliar to those who stand firm for the truth and are zealous in proclaiming it to others.

And because the human race is fallen so far from the standard of perfection, many people seem more ready to believe evil reports than good. Moreover, once the mind is poisoned by falsehood, it is with great difficulty that the blight is removed. Evil communications lead to prejudice, and prejudice often develops into bitterness of heart; and when the heart is bitter, ability clearly to discern between right and wrong is lost. “Evil communications corrupt good manners,” the apostle tells us, and how true this was of those who listened to the evil reports against the brethren, circulated by the opposing Jews.—I Cor. 15:33

However, Saul and Barnabas did not hurry away from Iconium just because opposition developed. They saw that there was further work to be done; that there were others who would hear and rejoice in the truth if given an opportunity, so they remained and stood their ground for a “long time … speaking boldly in the Lord.” Their boldness was not in their own wisdom or strength, but they were “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”—Eph. 6:10

We are admonished to adorn ourselves with a “meek and quiet spirit,” and also to be “clothed with humility.” (I Pet. 3:4; 5:5) This quality of meekness and humility should be well developed in every Christian, and if it is, any boldness which he might display in proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom will stem from his confidence in the Lord, his conviction that the Lord will be with him and give him the needed wisdom and strength for every time of need.

The boldness of the brethren at Iconium was a testimony to the grace of God by which they were being blessed and helped. Their message was made the more effective because of the “signs and wonders” which accompanied their ministry. These were quite essential in those early days of the Christian era. The people as a whole were inclined toward superstition, and the religion of Jesus was so new, and so simple, that there was a need for “signs and wonders” until the church became somewhat established.

ACTS 14:19-23

Finally the opposition at Iconium became violent, so the brethren decided to move on to other fields of service—“Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about.” (Verse 6) Because of a miracle Paul performed in Lystra, there was a great stir among the people, and an attempt was made to offer sacrifice to the brethren, but, of course, they would not permit it, explaining to the people that they were men of like passions as themselves, and not to be worshiped as gods.

People are easily swayed from one extreme position to another. About the time these would-be worshipers learned that Paul and Barnabas were mere men, and not to be worshiped, certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium appeared on the scene with evil reports. The wrath of the Adversary in attempting to destroy the “seed” of promise knows no bounds, and he had stirred up these opposing Jews to follow the brethren and to create trouble wherever they could.

At Lystra they “persuaded the people” against these two faithful missionaries so that the very ones who shortly before were ready to worship them, now turned on them and attempted to stone Paul to death. These two servants of the Lord were not alone at Lystra, for we are told that “as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city.” The next day Paul and Barnabas left Lystra and journeyed to Derbe.

They worked for a while in Derbe, and then returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. On the return journey they seemed to have spent most of their efforts confirming the believers, “exhorting them to continue in the faith.” And how appropriate, in view of what had been experienced of opposition in all these places that the apostle should explain to the new disciples “that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Doubtless in this connection Paul made clear to these new ones in the truth, their privilege of suffering and dying with Jesus, and also, upon this basis, the hope of living and reigning with him.

QUESTIONS

In view of the opposition of many of the Jews, how was it possible for Paul and Barnabas to preach the Gospel in the synagogues?

Did the Jewish harvest continue after the conversion of Cornelius?

What is the origin of all opposition to the Gospel?

Why, seemingly, do many people prefer to believe evil rather than good?

Do those who have bitterness in their hearts have clear spiritual vision?

What phase of the truth did Paul stress when he returned to confirm the new disciples in the faith, and why?

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