Paul began to be famous, toward the story of whom he is hastening.
Now concerning the church at Antioch, observe,
I. The first preachers of the gospel there, were such as were dispersed from Jerusalem by persecution, that persecution which arose five or six years ago, (as some compute,) at the time of Stephen's death; (v. 19.) They travelled as far as Phenice and other places, preaching the word. Therefore God suffered them to be persecuted, that thereby they might be dispersed in the world, sown as seed to God, in order to their bringing forth much fruit. Thus what was intended for the hurt of the Church, was made to work for its good; as Jacob's curse of the tribe of Levi, (I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel,) was turned into a blessing. The enemies designed to scatter and lose them, Christ designed to scatter and use them. Thus the wrath of man is made to praise God. Observe,
1. Those that fled from persecution, did not flee from their work; though for the time they declined suffering, yet they did not decline service; nay, they threw themselves into a larger field of opportunity than before. Those that persecuted the preachers of the gospel, hoped thereby to prevent their carrying it to the Gentile world; but it proved that they did but hasten it the sooner. Howbeit, they meant not so, neither did their heart think so. They that were persecuted in one city, fled to another; but they carried their religion along with them, not only that they might take the comfort of it themselves, but that they might communicate it to others; thus shewing that when they got out of the way, it was not because they were afraid of suffering, but because they were willing to reserve themselves for further service.
2. They pressed forward in their work, finding that the good pleasure of the Lord prospered in their hands. When they had preached successfully in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, they got out of the borders of the land of Canaan, and travelled into Phenicia, into the island of Cyprus, and into Syria. Though the further they travelled, the more they exposed themselves, yet they travelled on; plus ultra, was their motto, further still; grudging no pains, and dreading no perils, in carrying on so good a work, and serving so good a Master.
3. They preached the word to none but the Jews only, who were dispersed in all those parts, and had synagogues of their own, in which they met with them by themselves, and preached to them. They did not yet understand that the Gentiles were to be fellow-heirs, and of the same body; but left the Gentiles either to turn Jews, and so come mto the church, or else remain as they were.
4. They particularly applied themselves to the Hellenist Jews, here called the Grecians, that were at Antioch. Many of the preachers were natives of Judea and Jerusalem; some of them were by birth of Cyprus and Cyrene, as Barnabas himself, (ch. 4. 36.) and Simon, (Mark 15. 21.) but they had had their education in Jerusalem; and these being themselves Grecian Jews, had a particular concern for those of their own denomination and distinction, and applied themselves closely to them at Antioch. Dr. Lightfoot says that they were there called Hellenists, or Grecians, because they were Jews of the corporation or enfranchisement of the city; for Antioch was a Syrogrecian city. To them they preached the Lord Jesus. That was the constant subject of their preaching; what else should the ministers of Christ preach, but Christ, Christ and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified?
5. They had wonderful success in their preaching, v. 21.
(1.) Their preaching was accompanied with a divine power; The hand of the Lord was with them; which some understand of the power they were endued with to work miracles for the confirming of their doctrine; in those the Lord was working with them, he confirmed the word with signs following; (Mark 16. 20.) in these God bare them witness, Heb. 2. 4. But I rather understand it of the power of divine grace working on the hearts of the hearers, and opening them, as Lydia's heart was opened, because many saw the miracles, who were not converted; but when by the Spirit the understanding was enlightened, and the will bowed to the gospel of Christ, that was a day of power, in which volunteers were enlisted under the banner of the Lord Jesus, Ps. 110. 3. The hand of the Lord was with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men, which they could but speak to the outward ear. Then the word of the Lord gains its end, when the hand of the Lord goes along with it, to write it in their heart. Then people are brought to believe the report of the gospel, when with it the arm of the Lord is revealed, (Isa. 53. 1.) when God teaches with a strong hand, Isa. 8. 11. These were not apostles, but ordinary ministers, yet they had the hand of the Lord with them, and did wonders.
(2.) Abundance of good was done; A great number believed, and turned unto the Lord; many more than could have been expected, considering the outward disadvantages they laboured under: some of all sorts of people were wrought upon, and brought into obedience to Christ. Observe, What the change was. [1.] They believed; they were convinced of the truth of the gospel, and subscribed to the record God had given in it concerning his Son. [2.] The effect and evidence of this was, that they turned unto the Lord; they could not be said to turn from the service of idols, for they were Jews, worshippers of the true God only; but they turned from a confidence in the righteousness of the law, to rely only upon the righteousness of Christ; the righteousness which is by faith: they turned from a loose, careless, carnal way of living, to live a holy, heavenly, spiritual, and divine life; they turned from worshipping God in shew and ceremony, to worship him in the spirit, and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus, and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was the fruit of their faith; all that sincerely believe, will turn to the Lord; for whatever we profess or pretend, we do not really believe the gospel, if we do not cordially embrace Christ offered to us in the gospel.
II. The good work thus begun at Antioch, was carried on to a great perfection; and this church, thus founded, grew to be a flourishing one, by the ministry of Barnabas and Saul; who built upon the foundation which the other preachers had laid, and entered into their labours, John 4. 37, 38.
1. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas thither, to nurse this new-born church, and to strengthen the hands both of preachers and people, and put a reputation upon the cause of Christ there.
(1.) They heard the good news, that the gospel was received at Antioch, v. 22. The apostles there were inquisitive how the work went on in the countries about; and, it is likely, kept up a correspondence with all parts where preachers were, so that tidings of these things, of the great numbers that were converted at Antioch, soon came to the ears of the church that was in Jerusalem. Those that are in the most eminent stations in the church, ought to concern themselves for those in a lower sphere.
(2.) They dispatched Barnabas to them with all speed; they desired him to go, and assist and encourage these hopeful beginnings. They sent him forth as an envoy from them, and a representative
