按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
by the curse of God； were borne to all lands and became the means of leading
many to a belief in Christ。
The experience of Philip； directed by an angel from heaven to go to the
place where he met one seeking for truth； of Cornelius； visited by an angel
with a message from God； of Peter； in prison and condemned to death； led by
an angel forth to safetyall show the closeness of the connection between
heaven and earth。
To the worker for God the record of these angel visits should bring strength
and courage。 Today； as verily as in the days of the apostles； heavenly
messengers are passing through the length and breadth of the land； seeking
to comfort the sorrowing； to protect the impenitent； to win the hearts of
men to Christ。 We cannot see them personally；
153
nevertheless they are with us； guiding； directing； protecting。
Heaven is brought near to earth by that mystic ladder； the base of which is
firmly planted on the earth； while the topmost round reaches the throne of
the Infinite。 Angels are constantly ascending and descending this ladder of
shining brightness； bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the
Father above； and bringing blessing and hope； courage and help； to the
children of men。 These angels of light create a heavenly atmosphere about
the soul； lifting us toward the unseen and the eternal。 We cannot behold
their forms with our natural sight； only by spiritual vision can we discern
heavenly things。 The spiritual ear alone can hear the harmony of heavenly
voices。
〃The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him； and
delivereth them。〃 Psalm 34：7。 God commissions His angels to save His chosen
ones from calamity； to guard them from 〃the pestilence that walketh in
darkness〃 and 〃the destruction that wasteth at noonday。〃 Psalm 91：6。 Again
and again have angels talked with men as a man speaketh with a friend； and
led them to places of security。 Again and again have the encouraging words
of angels renewed the drooping spirits of the faithful and； carrying their
minds above the things of earth； caused them to behold by faith the white
robes； the crowns； the palm branches of victory； which overcomers will
receive when they surround the great white throne。
It is the work of the angels to come close to the tried； the suffering； the
tempted。 They labor untiringly in behalf
154
of those for whom Christ died。 When sinners are led to give themselves to
the Saviour； angels bear the tidings heavenward； and there is great
rejoicing among the heavenly host。 〃Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth； more than over ninety and nine just persons； which need no
repentance。〃 Luke 15：7。 A report is borne to heaven of every successful
effort on our part to dispel the darkness and to spread abroad the knowledge
of Christ。 As the deed is recounted before the Father； joy thrills through
all the heavenly host。
The principalities and powers of heaven are watching the warfare which；
under apparently discouraging circumstances； God's servants are carrying on。
New conquests are being achieved； new honors won； as the Christians；
rallying round the banner of their Redeemer； go forth to fight the good
fight of faith。 All the heavenly angels are at the service of the humble；
believing people of God； and as the Lord's army of workers here below sing
their songs of praise； the choir above join with them in ascribing praise to
God and to His Son。
We need to understand better than we do the mission of the angels。 It would
be well to remember that every true child of God has the co…operation of
heavenly beings。 Invisible armies of light and power attend the meek and
lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God。 Cherubim and seraphim；
and angels that excel in strength； stand at God's right hand； 〃all
ministering spirits； sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation。〃 Hebrews 1：14。
（155）
Chapter 16
The Gospel Message in Antioch
After the disciples had been driven from Jerusalem by persecution； the
gospel message spread rapidly through the regions lying beyond the limits of
Palestine； and many small companies of believers were formed in important
centers。 Some of the disciples 〃traveled as far as Phenice； and Cyprus； and
Antioch； preaching the word。〃 Their labors were usually confined to the
Hebrew and Greek Jews； large colonies of whom were at this time to be found
in nearly all the cities of the world。
Among the places mentioned where the gospel was gladly received is Antioch；
at that time the metropolis of Syria。 The extensive commerce carried on from
that populous center brought to the city many people of various
nationalities。 Besides； Antioch was favorably known as a resort for lovers
of ease and pleasure； because of its healthful situation； its beautiful
surroundings； and the wealth； culture； and refinement
156
to be found there。 In the days of the apostles it had become a city of
luxury and vice。
The gospel was publicly taught in Antioch by certain disciples from Cyprus
and Cyrene； who came 〃preaching the Lord Jesus。〃 〃The hand of the Lord was
with them；〃 and their earnest labors were productive of fruit。 〃A great
number believed； and turned unto the Lord。〃
〃Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in
Jerusalem： and they sent forth Barnabas； that he should go as far as
Antioch。〃 Upon arrival in his new field of labor； Barnabas saw the work that
had already been accomplished by divine grace； and he 〃was glad； and
exhorted them all； that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the
Lord。〃
The labors of Barnabas in Antioch were richly blessed； and many were added
to the number of believers there。 As the work developed； Barnabas felt the
need of suitable help in order to advance in the opening providences of God；
and he went to Tarsus to seek for Paul； who； after his departure from
Jerusalem some time before； had been laboring in 〃the regions of Syria and
Cilicia；〃 proclaiming 〃the faith which once he destroyed。〃 Galatians 1：21；
23。 Barnabas was successful in finding Paul and in persuading him to return
with him as a companion in ministry。
In the populous city of Antioch； Paul found an excellent field of labor。 His
learning； wisdom； and zeal exerted a powerful influence over the inhabitants
and frequenters of that city of culture； and he proved just the help that
Barnabas needed。 For a year the two disciples labored unitedly
157
in faithful ministry； bringing to many a saving knowledge of Jesus of
Nazareth； the world's Redeemer。
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians。 The name
was given them because Christ was the main theme of their preaching； their
teaching； and their conversation。 Continually they were recounting the
incidents that had occurred during the days of His earthly ministry； when
His disciples were blessed with His personal presence。 Untiringly they dwelt
upon His teachings and His miracles of healing。 With quivering lips and
tearful eyes they spoke of His agony in the garden； His betrayal； trial； and
execution； the forbearance and humility with which He had endured the
contumely and torture imposed upon Him by His enemies； and the Godlike pity
with which He had prayed for those who persecuted Him。 His resurrection and
ascension； and His work in heaven as the Mediator for fallen man； were
topics on which they rejoiced to dwell。 Well might the heathen call them
Christians； since they preached Christ and addressed their prayers to God
through Him。
It was God who gave to them the name of Christian。 This is a royal name；
given to all who join themselves to Christ。 It was of this name that James
wrote later； 〃Do not rich men oppress you； and draw you before the judgment
seats？ Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called？〃
James 2：6； 7。 And Peter declared； 〃If any man suffer as a Christian； let him
not be ashamed； but let him glorify God on this behalf。〃 〃If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ； happy are ye； for the spirit of glory and
of God resteth upon you。〃 1 Peter 4：16； 14。
158
The believers at Antioch realized that God was willing to work in their
lives 〃both to will and to do of His good pleasure。〃 Philippians 2：13。
Living； as they were； in the midst of a people who seemed to care but little
for the things of eternal value； they sought to arrest the attention of the
honest in heart； and to bear positive testimony concerning Him whom they
loved and served。 In their humble ministry they learned to depend upon the
power of the Holy Spirit to make effective the word of life。 And so； in the
various walks of life； they daily bore testimony of their faith in Christ。
The example of the followers of Christ at Antioch should be an inspiration
to every believer living in the great cities of the world today。 While it is
in the order of God that chosen worke