Chapter 20—Exalting the Cross
This chapter is based on
Acts 15:36-41
;
16:1-6
.
After spending some time in ministry at Antioch, Paul proposed
to his fellow worker that they set forth on another missionary journey.
“Let us go again,” he said to Barnabas, “and visit our brethren in every
city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they
do.”
Both Paul and Barnabas had a tender regard for those who had
recently accepted the gospel message under their ministry, and they
longed to see them once more. This solicitude Paul never lost. Even
when in distant mission fields, far from the scene of his earlier labors,
he continued to bear upon his heart the burden of urging these converts
to remain faithful, “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthi-
ans 7:1
. Constantly he tried to help them to become self-reliant,
growing Christians, strong in faith, ardent in zeal, and wholehearted in
their consecration to God and to the work of advancing His kingdom.
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Barnabas was ready to go with Paul, but wished to take with them
Mark, who had again decided to devote himself to the ministry. To
this Paul objected. He “thought not good to take ... with them” one
who during their first missionary journey had left them in a time of
need. He was not inclined to excuse Mark’s weakness in deserting the
work for the safety and comforts of home. He urged that one with so
little stamina was unfitted for a work requiring patience, self-denial,
bravery, devotion, faith, and a willingness to sacrifice, if need be,
even life itself. So sharp was the contention that Paul and Barnabas
separated, the latter following out his convictions and taking Mark
with him. “So Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul
chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto
the grace of God.”
Journeying through Syria and Cilicia, where they strengthened
the church, Paul and Silas at length reached Derbe and Lystra in the
province of Lycaonia. It was at Lystra that Paul had been stoned, yet
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