CHAPTER XIII.

MISSIONARY THOUGHTS IN THE ACTS OF THE

I.

APOSTLES.

1. Introductory Remarks and Reflections.

Here we have a book of such importance in mission study that it may profitably engage the attention of all Christians, alongside of their devotional reading of other pertions of the Bible, year in and year out. We have before us the first and original history of Christian missions during the apostolic age. And it is a portion of the inspired Word of God, showing how the apostles understood and carried out Christ's missionary command. Dr. Warneck has repeatedly, in his writings, made the suggestion that the Acts would form the subject of most profitable study and exposition in "Bibelstunden" - midweek services years. Similarly Ahlfeld, and Gerok.

every two

The name of this history is "Acts of the Apostles," a name or title in use at the close of the second century. It has been more recently called "The Acts of the Holy Ghost," and "The Acts of Jesus by the Holy Spirit." Apart Apart from the immediate occasion and object of the writing, the general or universal aim of the book may be stated as that of furnishing a divine record of the planting and the propagation of Christianity, the founding and extension of the Church in the apostolic age; showing what the exalted Savior has done through His apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to continue the work which He had begun in His humiliation.

The theme of the book is stated in the first chapter and eighth verse, being a re-statement of the Great Commission. In the carrying out of this theme and the general aim of the book there are several striking points to be noted.

We see Christ, as Lord, in and among His people. For example, it is He who fills the vacant apostleship, sends His Spirit, increases the newly founded congregation, makes Saul an obedient servant of His, calls Paul to Europe, and opens Lydia's heart.

The activity of the Holy Spirit is manifest in the work. The Lord acts not only through His angel, but through His Spirit. For example, the Holy Spirit imparts the gift of tongues, works in and through believers, lives in the congregation, directs the apostles, thus showing the fulfillment of the promise of power.

The narrative covers a brief space of time, but a large territory. Within a period of thirty years the Gospel was preached and heard throughout the length and breadth of the Roman Empire. Three strategic radiating centers had been established: Jerusalem, Antioch, and Rome. They were Jewish, Greek, and Roman centers respectively-centers of the three dominating races of the world of that time.

Three conditions favored the marvelous extension in so brief a time: The universal rule of the Roman Empire; the general use of the Greek language; and the wide dissemination of the Old Testament in the Jewish synagogues, where the new faith was preached.

It is an uncompleted book. It is the earliest and oldest missionary history of the Christian Church, a

1

1 Chapter 1, 24; 2, 33; 2, 47; 9, 5ff; 16, 10; 16, 14. Ch. 2, 4; 15 28; 16, 6 and 7; 24, 49.

history begun during the earthly lives of Christ and His apostles, and continued under His sovereign authority and the operation of the Holy Spirit until the present day, and to be continued until the end of time. The narrative is continued in the many histories, narratives, and biographies with which church literature has been enriched. But the book of Acts affords a norm and guide for all future ages. It exemplifies the providence of God, the leadership of Christ, and the administration of the Holy Spirit.

2. General Plan and Outline of the Book.

The first chapter is introductory, telling of the time of preparation, when the disciples were waiting, after the Lord's ascension, for the enduement with power which He had promised unto them, and recording the sad fate of Judas, and the choice of Matthias to fill the vacant place.

The remainder of the book naturally falls into two main parts, corresponding to the activity of Peter among the Jews and of Paul among the Gentiles.

The first part, closing with chapter twelve, describes the spreading of the Gospel among the Jews through Peter, assisted by John, and James, and Philip. The sphere of action is confined to Palestine. This part records the history of the Church from its founding at Pentecost till, leaving the mother congregation at Jerusalem, it is ready to begin its career of conquest among the Gentiles.

There are two periods in this stage of the work, the transition being marked by the martyrdom of Stephen. The leading events of the first period are: The account of Pentecost and the founding of the JewishChristian church in Jerusalem, the first apostolic mira

cle, the first persecution, the first apostacy, the first church officers, and the first martyr. In the next period, beginning with chapter eight, there is divine preparation for mission work among the Gentiles. The leading events described are: The mission work in Samaria, an African convert won in the person of an officer of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, the conversion of Saul, the planting of a church at Joppa, the conversion of Cornelius, and the admission of Gentiles. into the Church.

The second part, from chapter thirteen to the end of the book, describes the spreading of the Gospel among the Gentiles in Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, under the leadership of Paul, assisted by Barnabas, Silas, Luke, Timothy, Titus, and others. In this period Christianity throws off its Jewish fetters and becomes cosmopolitan. We have in this part of the book the account of Paul's three missionary journeys, of his experience at Jerusalem, and his captivity at Rome.

We shall now endeavor to gather together the leading missionary thoughts of the book in three groups: The Church at Jerusalem, the Church at Antioch, and the Missionary Character and Career of St. Paul.

3. The Church at Jerusalem.

The evangelization of the world was a stupendous task for a little handful of believers such as we find gathered together in Jerusalem about a hundred and twenty in all. But they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, waiting for "the promise of the Father" The Lord had bidden them wait, "until ye be clothed with power from on high."

1Luke 24, 49.

Just before His ascension He reminded them again. of their need of this indispensable equipment. And so we find them praying and waiting, in humble obedience and devout resignation. Let us not fail to note that this very attitude, this frame of soul, is a prime condition of success in the work of God's kingdom. It applies in an eminent degree to the minister and missionary in all his work, at every stage of his career.

These humble believers had before them, under consideration, the Great Commission of their Lord.1 It pointed out the way of the Gospel, from the home center to the ends of the known world. They were commissioned to be heralds and witnesses. The latter in Greek is a term from which our English word "martyr" is derived. In German, they would be Blutzeugen blood-witnesses. Truly, they needed the gift of the Holy Spirit to give them courage, power, and efficiency in the work.

When the time came to choose a successor to Judas, the apostle Peter announced the qualifications that were required in the candidate. In essence, they apply also to the ministry and mission service. They are twofold: Christian knowledge-knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection; and loyalty and faithfulness. The congregation proposes candidates, and the Lord decides between them. It is He, then, who fills the vacant apostleship. And when affairs are conducted properly today, it is He still who calls ministers and sends forth missionaries, through the service and agency of the Church.

One of the manifestations of the pentecostal miracle was the speaking "with other tongues, as the Spirit

1Ch. 1, 8. Ch. 1, 21 and 22. Ch. 1, 23-25.