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The Acts of the Apostles
unspotted from the world, realizing that a failure to do this would be a
contradiction of their profession and a denial of their Redeemer.
In every city the work was carried forward. Souls were converted,
who in their turn felt that they must tell of the inestimable treasure they
had received. They could not rest till the light which had illumined
their minds was shining upon others. Multitudes of unbelievers were
made acquainted with the reasons of the Christian’s hope. Warm,
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inspired personal appeals were made to the erring, to the outcast,
and to those who, while professing to know the truth, were lovers of
pleasure more than lovers of God.
But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their
love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the
church. Some forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received
the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers fell at their post. Some
of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of these
pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become
weary of oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and
startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine, more
pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the fundamental
principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blind-
ness they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to
question the experiences of the past, and would thus lead to confusion
and unbelief.
As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and
the eyes of many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author
and Finisher of their faith. The discussion of unimportant points of
doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man’s invention,
occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel.
The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful
presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning,
and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed
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to be followers of Christ.
It was at this critical time in the history of the church that John
was sentenced to banishment. Never had his voice been needed by
the church as now. Nearly all his former associates in the ministry
had suffered martyrdom. The remnant of believers was facing fierce
opposition. To all outward appearance the day was not far distant when
the enemies of the church of Christ would triumph.