Chapter 6—Jew and Gentile
The next day after the stoning of Paul, the apostles left the city,
according to the direction of Christ: “When they persecute you in this
city, flee ye into another.” They departed for Derbe, where their labors
were blessed, and many souls were led to embrace the truth. But both
Paul and Barnabas returned again to visit Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra,
the fields of labor where they had met such opposition and persecution.
In all those places were many that believed the truth; and the apostles
felt it their duty to strengthen and encourage their brethren who were
exposed to reproach and bitter opposition. They were determined
to securely bind off the work which they had done, that it might not
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ravel out. Churches were organized in the places mentioned, elders
appointed in each church, and the proper order established there.
Paul and Barnabas soon after returned to Antioch in Syria, where
they again labored for some time; and many Gentiles there embraced
the doctrine of Christ. But certain Jews from Judea raised a general
consternation among the believing Gentiles by agitating the question
of circumcision. They asserted with great assurance, that none could
be saved without being circumcised and keeping the entire ceremonial
law.
This was an important question, and one which affected the church
in a very great degree. Paul and Barnabas met it with promptness, and
opposed introducing the subject to the Gentiles. They were opposed
in this by the believing Jews of Antioch, who favored the position
of those from Judea. The matter resulted in much discussion and
want of harmony in the church, until finally the church of Antioch,
apprehending that a division among them would occur from any further
discussion of the question, decided to send Paul and Barnabas, together
with some responsible men of Antioch, to Jerusalem, to lay the matter
before the apostles and elders. There they were to meet delegates
from the different churches, and those who had come to attend the
approaching annual festivals. Meanwhile all controversy was to cease
until a final decision should be made by the responsible men of the
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