EGW
After the disciples had been driven from Jerusalem by persecution, the gospel message spread rapidly into the regions lying beyond the limits of Palestine; and many small companies of believers were formed in important centers. Some of the disciples “traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word.” Their labors were usually confined to the Hebrew and Greek Jews, large colonies of whom were to be found in nearly all the cities of the ancient Eastern world. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 1
Among the places mentioned where the gospel was gladly received is Antioch, the metropolis of Syria. The extensive commerce carried on from that populous center brought to the city many people of various nationalities. Besides, Antioch was favorably known as a resort for lovers of ease and pleasure, because of its healthful situation, its beautiful surroundings, and the wealth, culture, and refinement to be found there. In the days of the apostles, it had become a city of luxury and vice. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 2
The gospel was publicly taught in Antioch by certain disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came “preaching the Lord Jesus.” “The hand of the Lord was with them,” and their earnest labors were productive of fruit. “A great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 3
“Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem.” Upon hearing the good news, they rejoiced, and determined to strengthen the hands of the believers, and to follow up the interest that had been created, by sending to Antioch one of their tried fellow workers, Barnabas, “a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” When, upon arrival at his new field of labor, he saw the work that had already been accomplished by divine grace, he “was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 4
The labors of Barnabas in Antioch were richly blessed. Many were added to the number of believers there. As the work developed, Barnabas felt the need of suitable help, in order to advance in the opening providences of God; and so he journeyed to Tarsus to seek for Paul, who, after his departure from Jerusalem some time before, had been laboring in “the regions of Syria and Cilicia,” proclaiming “the faith which once he destroyed.” Barnabas was successful in finding Paul, and in persuading him to return with him as a companion in ministry. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 5
In the populous city of Antioch, Paul found an excellent field of labor. His learning, wisdom, and zeal exerted a powerful influence over the inhabitants and frequenters of that city of culture; and he proved to be just the help that Barnabas needed. For a year the two disciples labored unitedly in faithful ministry, bringing to many a saving knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth, the world's Redeemer. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 6
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. The name was given them because Christ was the main theme of their preaching, their teaching, and their conversation. Continually they were recounting the incidents that had occurred during the days of his earthly ministry, when his disciples were blessed with his personal company. Untiringly they dwelt upon his teachings, and his miracles of healing. With quivering lips and tearful eyes they spoke of his agony in the garden, his betrayal, trial, and execution, the forbearance and humility with which he endured 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 the Mediator for fallen man, were topics upon which they rejoiced to dwell. Well might the heathen call them Christians, since they preached of Christ, and addressed their prayers to God through him. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 7
The faithful believers at Antioch realized that God was willing to work in their hearts “both to will, and to do of his good pleasure.” Living, as they were, in the midst of a people who seemed to care but little for the things of eternal value, they sought to arrest the attention of the honest in heart, and to bear positive testimony concerning the Lord of glory, whom they loved and served. In their humble ministry, they learned to depend upon the power of the Holy Spirit to make effective the word of life spoken to perishing souls. And so, in their various walks of life, they daily bore testimony to their faith in Christ Jesus, “who, being in the form of God, ... made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross,” in order that he might bring “life and immortality to light through the gospel.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 8
The example of the followers of Christ at Antioch should be an inspiration to every believer living in the great cities of the world today. While it is in the order of God that chosen workers of consecration and talent should be stationed in important centers of population to lead out in public efforts, it is also necessary that the church-members living in these cities shall exercise, in all humility, their God-given talents in labor for souls. There are rich blessings in store for those who surrender fully to the call of God. As such workers undertake to win souls to Jesus, they will find that many who never could have been reached in any other way are ready to respond to intelligent personal effort. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 9
The cause of God in the earth today is in need of living representatives of Bible truth. The ordained ministers, alone, are not equal to the task of warning the great cities. God is calling not only upon the ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses, canvassers, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of the truths of the third angel's message, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before satanic opposition shall close up the way. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 10
In the providence of God, Paul's labors at Antioch, in association with Barnabas, strengthened him in his conviction that the Lord had indeed called him to do a special work in behalf of the Gentile world. At the time of Paul's conversion, the Lord had declared that he was to be made a minister to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” The angel who appeared to the disciple Ananias said of Paul, “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” And the chosen apostle to the Gentiles, later in his Christian experience, while praying in the temple at Jerusalem, was visited by an angel from heaven, who bade him, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 11
Thus the Lord had given Paul his commission to enter the broad missionary field of the Gentile world. To prepare him for his extensive and difficult work, God had brought him into close connection with himself, and had opened before his enraptured vision glimpses of the beauty and glory of heaven. To him had been given the ministry of making known “the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,”—“the mystery of his will,” “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, ... that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 12
Referring in later years to this revelation of the mystery of God that had been made known to him at the beginning of his gospel ministry, Paul declares: “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 13
While the light of the gospel was shining brightly at Antioch, an important work was continued by the apostles who had remained at Jerusalem. Every year, at the time of the festivals, many Jews from all lands came to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. Some of these pilgrims were men of fervent piety, who were earnest students of the prophecies. They were looking and longing for the advent of the promised Messiah, the hope of Israel. When Jerusalem was filled with strangers, the apostles whose work centered in that city preached Christ with unflinching courage, though they knew that in so doing their lives were in constant jeopardy. At such times, many converts to the faith were made; and these, dispersing to their homes in different parts of the world, scattered the seeds of truth through all nations, and among all classes of society. RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 14
Prominent among the apostles who engaged in this work were Peter, James, and John, who felt confident that God had appointed them to preach Christ among their own countrymen at home. And so they continued to labor in love, testifying of the things that they had seen and heard, and appealing to “a more sure word of prophecy,” in an effort to persuade “the house of Israel ... that God hath made that same Jesus,” whom the Jews had crucified, “both Lord and Christ.” RH April 20, 1911, Art. A, par. 15