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The Story of Redemption
the contumely and torture imposed upon Him by His enemies, and
the Godlike pity with which He prayed for those who persecuted
Him. His resurrection and ascension and his work in heaven as a
Mediator for fallen man were joyful topics with them. The heathen
might well call them Christians, since they preached of Christ and
addressed their prayers to God through Him.
Paul found, in the populous city of Antioch, an excellent field
of labor, where his great learning, wisdom, and zeal, combined,
wielded a powerful influence over the inhabitants and frequenters of
that city of culture.
Meanwhile the work of the apostles was centered at Jerusalem,
where Jews of all tongues and countries came to worship at the tem-
ple during the stated festivals. At such times the apostles preached
Christ with unflinching courage, though they knew that in so doing
their lives were in constant jeopardy. Many converts to the faith
were made, and these, scattering to their homes in different parts of
the country, dispersed the seeds of truth throughout all nations and
among all classes of society.
Peter, James, and John felt confident that God had appointed
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them to preach Christ among their own countrymen at home. But
Paul had received his commission from God, while praying in the
temple, and his broad missionary field had been presented before
him with remarkable distinctness. To prepare him for his extensive
and important work, God had brought him into close connection
with Himself, and had opened before his enraptured vision a glimpse
of the beauty and glory of heaven.
Ordination of Paul and Barnabas
God communicated with the devout prophets and teachers in
the church at Antioch. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them.”
Acts 13:2
. These apostles were
therefore dedicated to God in a most solemn manner by fasting and
prayer and the laying on of hands; and they were sent forth to their
field of labor among the Gentiles.
Both Paul and Barnabas had been laboring as ministers of Christ,
and God had abundantly blessed their efforts, but neither of them