Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1916 — “LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES!” [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

“LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES!”

Acts 13:13- to, IZ-oZ—May Is. St. Paul’s First Missionary Tour—Hit Sermon at Antioch In Pisidia—Effect of His Discourse Twofold—Violent Opposition From Those Blinded t ■ by Sectarian Prejudice. “I have set five for a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldrst be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth."—Terse 47. It. V. fltOM Antioch Taul and Barnabas went to Seleucta, where they took ship for the island of Cyprus, probably because Barnabas wes a native of that land. With them went a cousin of Barnabas. John Mark, writer of the Gospel- of Mark and son of one of the Marys at Jerusalem, They passed through the island, preaching Christ from village to village on tlie- way. Apparently nothing of note occurred until they reached Paphos', where they came into contact with lily mas, a Jewish sorcerer. Perceiving that St., Paul’s reasoning was interesting the Roman deputy, or proconsul, Klymas sought to gainsay the Truth, recognizing that the Apostle’s success meant loss of prestige to bis own presentations of falsehood. St. Paul made a plain statement of the case, ami declared that as a punishment the hand of tho Lord would he upon the magician, so that lie would

become blind. This manifestation o f Divine power enabled the proconsul to reach the right conclusion ami to decide to be upon the Lord's side. Then St. Paul a lid liis company departed for Asia Min or . Today's Study briefly states that John

Mark left the missionaries and returned to Jerusalem, but gives no reason for his departure. P.ut whatever the capse. the Apostle Paul considered it quite insufikient. (Acts 15:35.) Later on, however. Mark was again accepted to tin* Lord’s service, and St. Paul made due acknowledgment of his faithfulness. - V The first stop made in Asia Minor was at Antioch of Pisidia, The usual custom was followed—of going first to the synagogue. The missionaries were recognized- as men of talent; and after the reading of the usual lesson from the Law. they were invited to address the assembly—Jews by birth, and Jewish proselytes from tiie Gentiles, The Apostle Paul was the speaker and made a telling address. The Very Essence of the Gospel. The trend of the Apostle's, discourse was chiefly to show that in the past God had established a typical kingdom which had never reached the grand stage essential to the fulfilment of the Ahrahamie Promise (Genesis 22:15-18); and that the thing necessary and lacking was a REDEMPTION of the world and the forgiveness of sins. Then lie presented to tlieir attention Jesus as the Messiah—not merely a crucified Messiah, but also a risen One who. because of His death for the sin of t he world, was able to Save unto the uttermost all that Should come unto God through Him. The discourse had a twofold effect. The honest hearted, realizing their need of just such a Savior as the Apostle had preached, were especially drawn to the missionaries, who recognized their right attitude of heart and assured them that they were already in God's favor. Others were much less prepared for the Apostle's words, and were inclined to lie envious of the attention bestowed upon tile missionaries and their teaching. On the next Sabbath the whole city gathered to hear the Message of the missionaries. Such attention to two strangers and their new doctrine naturally awakened a spirit of jealousy

in those whose interest was much in forms and ceremonies, honor amongst men and d e n o min ational pride. As a result, they contradicted St. Paul with blasphemy not that they blasphemed God’s name, but that they slandered,

blasphemed, the Apostle and Barnabas, speaking evil of them, misrepresenting their motives, their character, etc. This is the usual course of those who fight against the Truth. The missionaries courageously explained to their vilifiers’that they were rejecting God's Tlan to their own injury. They pointed out that God had long favored Israel; and that in sending the Message of Messiah to the Jews first, He was still favoring them; but that according to His direction the Gospel was to be preached to whoever bad ears to hear—whether Jew or Gentile. Many of the Gentiles were glad to hear that God’s favor was broader than they had previously supposed. And some of them, we are assured, believed in the true sense of the wo-d. accepting Christ as their Redeemer. But the more the Truth spread, the more angry grew its opponents, the Jewish leaders. By misrepresentation they secured the cooperation of some of the most honorable people of the city to such an extent that the missionaries were obliged to depart from that region.

Departing that Region.

Preaching Christ.