INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 23, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 17.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 5.—MAY 4.—THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH IN SYRIA.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 11:19-30, R.V.

19 “They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the Word to none save only to Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. 22 And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: 23 who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people; and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27 Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. 29 And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: 30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

Golden Text.— “The hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Verse 21.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What was the experience of the church at Jerusalem in connection with the death of Stephen? To what extent were they scattered? Verse 19. Note 1. (2) To whom did some of them speak especially at Antioch? Verse 20. Note 2. (3) What was the result of this work? Verse 21. (4) When the brethren at Jerusalem heard of the good work, what did they do? Verse 22. (5) When he found what the Lord was doing in Antioch, how was he affected? What exhortation did he give? Verse 23. (6) What is said of the character of Barnabas? What was the result of his labors? Verse 24. Note 3. (7) By what means did he seek help in his work? Verse 25. Note 4. (8) What is said of the united labors of Paul and Barnabas? What name was first given to the disciples at Antioch? Verse 26. Note 5. (9) What other laborers came from Jerusalem to Antioch? Verse 27. (10) What was the name of one of these prophets? Of what did he specially prophesy? Did this come to pass? Verse 28. Note 6. (11) How did the disciples show that they believed this prophecy? Note 7. (12) By whom did they send their donation to Judea? Verse 30.

Besides the notes, read the article of the same title as the lesson, in the first part of paper.

NOTES.

1. Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, sixty miles from the more northern coast of Palestine. It was the first objective point in the first missionary tour of Barnabas and Paul. Antioch was the then capital of Syria. It was on the Orontes River, 300 miles north of Jerusalem, and 16 miles from the sea. The population at that time, according to Gibbon, was half a million, and quite cosmopolitan, embracing all nationalities and all conditions of men.

2. “Men of Cyprus and Cyrene” (in the northern part of Africa) were among the Christians who found their way to Antioch, and these were the first to speak of the Gospel there to any but Jews. This was not less than seven or eight years after the Lord had given the commission to preach the Gospel to all nations; it was even after Peter’s experience at the house of Cornelius in Cesarea. Yet the Christian Jews, with rare exceptions, had no burden for the salvation of any but their own race.

3. Barnabas.—It was a wise decision to send such a man as Barnabas to Antioch. He had demonstrated his faith by his sacrifice for the cause (Acts 4:36, 37), and by his firm adherence to the truth during the persecution in Jerusalem. And he needed the experience of being brought in contact with the actual work of the Lord among the Gentiles; for he was designed as an apostle to the Gentiles. Moreover, he was “of the country of Cyprus,” which was intimately connected in trade with Antioch.

4. Tarsus had been Paul’s headquarters (being his native city) ever since his flight from Jerusalem several years before (Acts 9:26-30). But the brethren had heard of his work (Gal. 1:21-24).

5. “A whole year” was spent by Barnabas and Paul in establishing this important church. It was composed of persons of all classes, and their natural differences and national and social prejudices must needs be harmonized. Naturally much teaching would be required in order to bring them into a spirit of unity in the Gospel. The church was a large one, for they “taught much people.” Such a charge required not only the goodness and faith of a Barnabas, but the wide discernment, aptness, activity, and erudition of a Paul.

6. The prophecy of Agabus was fulfilled. During the reign of Claudius there were famines in all the then known world, but not in all parts at once. The first region afflicted was Palestine. The prophet Agabus is again mentioned in Acts 21:10, 11.