Return to Antioch: a picture of apostolic activity.
The scene quickly changed at Lystra. The multitude, wrought upon by Jews from Antioch and Iconium, rise up against Paul, and stone their late hero and god. Fickle world, which now brings garlands and now stones! "Every generation stones by-and-by its own gods, but every time has its own method of stoning." The boldest antagonists of the kingdom of darkness arouse most foes; Paul is stoned, not Barnabas. Perhaps his own act comes back upon him in stoning Stephen; certainly it must be present to his mind. God makes of our own past evil acts whips to scourge us or stones to pelt us. But Paul rises from the ground. "Rejoice not, O mine enemy, for though I fall I shall rise again." The story is told of Numidicus at Carthage, in the time of Cyprian, that, half burned and stoned, he lay as dead. His daughters came to bury him, whereupon he arose and went into the city. The next day, following the marching orders, "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," Paul goes forth with Barnabas to Derbe. Now comes a rapid sketch of busy labor.
I. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHRISTIAN PREACHER,
1. He is not to be cast down by disappointment nor defeated by opposition. Faith, tried by fire, proves its enduring quality. The more the apostle suffers, the more glowing becomes his love. He returns, as if by irresistible attraction, to the scene of defeat. It is just those souls which resist us that we must mark out for conquest; they will be well worth perseverance to gain.
2. He is ever seeking for new worlds to conquer for the kingdom of Christ. Ever planting and propagating the Word in virgin ground, the motto of the missionary is, "To-morrow to fresh fields and pastures new."
3. His cares and duties are manifold. This is suggestively brought out by the different words employed. He "evangelizes;" i.e. he announces the good news of the kingdom; he proclaims, or preaches, in the proper sense, Christ. Next, he "instructs" ( μαθητεύειν) the converts, so that they become disciples, i.e. men taught and ever learning more of Christian truth. He also "strengthens," or "confirms," Christian believers, by calling to mind and applying the old truths. He "exhorts," bringing the force of personal love and suasion to bear on the will, "speaking from the heart to the heart." To keep men in the faith is no less an anxiety than to bring them into it.
4. He is the comforter, He sheds a light upon man's troubles, by showing that it is through them the path lies to the kingdom of God.
"The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to that land where sorrow is unknown."
Christianity glorifies suffering; apart from it, we sink amidst them into a cheerless pessimism or a blind resignation,
5. He has to take part in the government and guidance of communities, The appointment of officers ever the different Churches is here mentioned. Christianity is a social as well as an individual life, and social life must have its organization. If we carefully study this short passage (Acts 14:21-23), we find in it a compendium of the Christian minister's duties. Truly—
"'Tis not a cause of small import,
The pastor's care demands."
II. THE BLESSINGS ATTENDANT ON THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL.
1. Reflex blessings on the mind and heart of the preacher; assurance through suffering and trial and experience of Divine help. Even if a man sees but little present fruit of his labor, he has reason to thank God for the effect upon his own spirit and character of a work so holy on the souls of others. Discimus docendo. We learn by teaching; and he that watereth is watered himself.
2. To those who receive the message. Instead of the wild irregularity of passion and fancy, Christian order and sobriety takes possession of the soul. Idle fables are driven out by the Divine Word.
3. To the supporters and messengers of missionary work. Joyous was the welcome, great the thanksgiving at Antioch when the missionaries came back. And so ever; refreshment of faith, broadening of sympathies, quickening of intelligence, ever follows upon the receipt of good news from the fields of Christian work, and opening of new doors to the free passage of the Word.—J.
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD