Chapter 29—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 by leading many souls 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 souls 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 ravel out.
Churches were duly organized in the places before mentioned,
elders appointed in each church, and the proper order and system
established there. Paul and Barnabas labored in Antioch 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
[369]
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 at 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, and 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
259