Part 2 (1/2)
4. System of doctrine. He may at this time have wrought out that magnificent system of Christian doctrine which he afterwards presented to the churches in his Epistles.
+The Gospel for the Gentiles.+--While Paul was waiting for the call to his great missionary work there came a new crisis in the history of the early church, and a new era was inaugurated. In the tenth and eleventh chapters of the book of Acts Luke tells us of the conversion of the Gentile Cornelius, ”a centurion of the band called the Italian band” (Acts 10:1-8), and of the instructions given to Peter to receive him (Acts 10:9-44).
Cornelius was the first Gentile convert and we note here the beginning of the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, which was to have such large results. ”The day of Pentecost, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, the call of Cornelius and the foundation of the Gentile church at Antioch are, if we are to pick and choose amid the events related by Luke, the turning points of the earliest ecclesiastical history.” How great and epoch making was this new departure of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and receiving them into the church, is shown in the eleventh chapter of the Acts (11:1-18) where, when Peter goes up to Jerusalem, he is put on the defensive and compelled to explain why he received Cornelius into the church. When however the matter was fully explained the early disciples rejoiced over the fact that to the Gentiles was granted by G.o.d repentance unto life (Acts 11:18).
+Paul Brought to Antioch+ by Barnabas, on account of the revival that had broken out in that city, is another step which he takes up to his work as the great missionary to the Gentiles (Acts 11:25-26). It was here that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). It was from this city that Paul went forth on his missionary journeys and it was here that he returned (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26; 15:24-41; 18:22; 18:23).
”Antioch was the capital of the Greek kingdom of Syria, and afterwards the residence of the Roman governor of the province. It was made a free city by Pompey the Great, and contained an aqueduct, amphitheater, baths, and colonnades. It was situated on the Orontes about twenty miles from the mouth of the river. Its sea-port was Seleucia. It was intimately connected with apostolic Christianity. Here the first Gentile church was formed” (Acts 11:20, 21).
QUESTIONS
Give the order of events which led to the persecution in which Paul was so prominent. Why was the conflict between Christianity and Judaism inevitable? What can be said of the cruelty of Paul, the persecutor? Give the cause of Paul's conversion. What were some of the effects? What can be said of the period of waiting; the retirement of Paul? What are some of the probable reasons for this retirement? What can be said about the beginning of the gospel to the Gentiles? By whom was Paul brought to Antioch and for what purpose? In what relation does Antioch stand to the missionary journeys of Paul?
II. PAUL'S JOURNEYS
_Acts 13:1-28:31_
STUDY III
FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
_Scripture, Acts 13:1-14:26_
a.n.a.lYSIS
+Introduction to the Three Missionary Journeys+--The call. The Significance. Extent and Time. The Record. Other Long Journeys. Method of Work and Support. The Message.
+The First Journey+--Preparation. Companions. Paul Comes to the Front. Time and Extent. Rulers.
+The Itinerary+--Salamis. Paphos. Perga. Antioch. Iconium.
Lystra and Derbe. The Return Journey.
+The Jerusalem Council+--One Problem of the Early Church. The Decision of the Council.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Outline map ill.u.s.trating the first and second missionary journeys of Paul.]
II. PAUL'S JOURNEYS
_Acts 13:1-38:31_
STUDY III
FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY
_Scripture, Acts 13:1-14:26_