Reaching Out from Antioch

GOLDEN TEXT: “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” —II Corinthians 5:20

ACTS 11:25,26; 14:8-20

THE record indicates that almost immediately after Paul was awakened to the fact that Jesus was truly the Messiah of promise, and dedicated himself to the service of his Lord, he began to preach the Gospel in Damascus. (Acts 9:20) Seemingly, however, it was merely a brief work of witness that he conducted there. Strong opposition arose against him and his life was threatened.

The disciples in Damascus sensed the situation, and they helped Paul escape from the city by letting him down over the city walls in a basket, thus avoiding the use of the gates, which were being watched by his enemies. Then he went to Jerusalem where he endeavored to associate with the ecclesia, but was regarded with great suspicion until Barnabas vouched for the sincerity of his conversion.

Paul became active in witness work in Jerusalem, speaking “boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.” He disputed with the Grecians, and they became angry and began to plan his death. (Acts 9:29) The other brethren learned of this, and they escorted “him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus,” his home city.

His brief experience as a Christian had thus far been a stormy one. But apparently he decided not to bestir himself so energetically in the Gospel cause for awhile. He probably felt the need of study, meditation, and prayer in order to conduct a ministry which would have divine approval. It is thought that he remained more or less in isolation for several years.

But Barnabas did not forget Paul, and when a need arose for active service in Antioch he went personally to Tarsus and persuaded Paul to join with him in this ministry. There they labored as partners, together with the ecclesia, for a year. Then the brethren sent them to Jerusalem with supplies of material things for the brethren there.—Acts 11:22-30

The church at Antioch continued to grow, and the Lord raised up a number of able servants. It became apparent that Paul and Barnabas could well be spared, so the church sponsored them as missionaries to work in other fields. It was while they were on this pilgrimage that they visited Lystra, healed a man who had been unable to walk from the time of his birth, and were acclaimed gods by the people of the city.—Acts 13:1-7

“The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men,” the people cried. (Acts 14:11) These people had never been told about the true God, and when they saw such a demonstration of power on the part of Paul and Barnabas, their reaction was just about as should be expected. Hurried preparations were made to offer sacrifice to these “gods,” but Paul quickly explained to them that they were not gods but “men of like passions with you.”—Acts 14:15

However, Paul took advantage of the high esteem in which he and Barnabas were temporarily held, and while disclaiming that they were gods, he urged the people to turn from their “vanities” and serve the living God. The Greek word here translated “vanities” is one which means “profitless,” or specifically, according to Prof. Strong, “an idol.”

Being worshipers of idols, Paul did not attempt at once to tell them about the plan of God, but first endeavored to make them acquainted with the true God by telling them about his creative works.

The people of Lystra, when hearing this much, might well wonder why such a powerful God would permit them to continue worshiping profitless gods which were not even alive. Why should the Creator leave his creatures in ignorance? Paul anticipated this, and explained that in times past the Creator “suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.”

“Nevertheless,” Paul adds, “he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” There is not a word here about the Gospel. Paul realized that before they could accept the Gospel of Christ with understanding, it was first necessary for them to learn about God.

But the crowd was in no mood to meditate seriously on the truths Paul had told them. They were, however, dissuaded from offering sacrifice to the two disciples. But then “certain Jews from Antioch” appeared and stirred up the crowd to stone the disciples. Within a matter of minutes, those who first tried to worship Paul and Barnabas now wanted to kill them.

Our Golden Text teaches that all true followers of Jesus are authorized to be his ambassadors, and as such, “ministers of reconciliation.” We are all authorized to say to a repentant sinner who accepts Christ that through the merit of the blood he can be reconciled to God.

QUESTIONS

Explain the circumstances which led Paul to his home city of Tarsus after his conversion.

Who enlisted Paul’s co-operation in the ministry, and where did they first serve?

Relate the experiences of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.

What does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ?

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