the prophets。 For God is not the author of confusion； but of peace； as in
all churches of the saints。〃 1 Corinthians 14：32；
33。 With Peter； he taught that all united in church capacity
should be 〃subject one to another。〃 1 Peter 5：5。
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Chapter 20
Exalting the Cross
After spending some time in ministry at Antioch； Paul proposed to his fellow
worker that they set forth on another missionary journey。 〃Let us go again；〃
he said to Barnabas； 〃and visit our brethren in every city where we have
preached the word of the Lord； and see how they do。〃
Both Paul and Barnabas had a tender regard for those who had recently
accepted the gospel message under their ministry； and they longed to see
them once more。 This solicitude Paul never lost。 Even when in distant
mission fields； far from the scene of his earlier labors； he continued to
bear upon his heart the burden of urging these converts to remain faithful；
〃perfecting holiness in the fear of God。〃
2 Corinthians 7：1。 Constantly he tried to help them to
become self…reliant； growing Christians； strong in faith； ardent in zeal；
and wholehearted in their consecration to God and to the work of advancing
His kingdom。
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Barnabas was ready to go with Paul； but wished to take with them Mark； who
had again decided to devote himself to the ministry。 To this Paul objected。
He 〃thought not good to take 。 。 。 with them〃 one who during their first
missionary journey had left them in a time of need。 He was not inclined to
excuse Mark's weakness in deserting the work for the safety and comforts of
home。 He urged that one with so little stamina was unfitted for a work
requiring patience； self…denial； bravery； devotion； faith； and a willingness
to sacrifice； if need be； even life itself。 So sharp was the contention that
Paul and Barnabas separated； the latter following out his convictions and
taking Mark with him。 〃So Barnabas took Mark； and sailed unto Cyprus； and
Paul chose Silas； and departed； being recommended by the brethren unto the
grace of God。〃
Journeying through Syria and Cilicia； where they strengthened the church；
Paul and Silas at length reached Derbe and Lystra in the province of
Lycaonia。 It was at Lystra that Paul had been stoned； yet we find him again
on the scene of his former danger。 He was anxious to see how those who
through his labors had accepted the gospel were enduring the test of trial。
He was not disappointed； for he found that the Lystrian believers had
remained firm in the face of violent opposition。
Here Paul again met Timothy； who had witnessed his sufferings at the close
of his first visit to Lystra and upon whose mind the impression then made
had deepened with the passing of time until he was convinced that it was his
duty to give himself fully to the work of the ministry。 His
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heart was knit with the heart of Paul； and he longed to share the apostle's
labors by assisting as the way might open。
Silas； Paul's companion in labor； was a tried worker； gifted with the spirit
of prophecy； but the work to be done was so great that there was need of
training more laborers for active service。 In Timothy Paul saw one who
appreciated the sacredness of the work of a minister； who was not appalled
at the prospect of suffering and persecution； and who was willing to be
taught。 Yet the apostle did not venture to take the responsibility of giving
Timothy； an untried youth； a training in the gospel ministry； without first
fully satisfying himself in regard to his character and his past life。
Timothy's father was a Greek and his mother a Jewess。 From a child he had
known the Scriptures。 The piety that he saw in his home life was sound and
sensible。 The faith of his mother and his grandmother in the sacred oracles
was to him a constant reminder of the blessing in doing God's will。 The word
of God was the rule by which these two godly women had guided Timothy。 The
spiritual power of the lessons that he had received from them kept him pure
in speech and unsullied by the evil influences with which he was surrounded。
Thus his home instructors had co…operated with God in preparing him to bear
burdens。
Paul saw that Timothy was faithful； steadfast； and true； and he chose him as
a companion in labor and travel。 Those who had taught Timothy in his
childhood were rewarded by seeing the son of their care linked in close
fellowship with the great apostle。 Timothy was a mere youth when he was
chosen by God to be a teacher； but his principles had
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been so established by his early education that he was fitted to take his
place as Paul's helper。 And though young； he bore his responsibilities with
Christian meekness。
As a precautionary measure； Paul wisely advised Timothy to be
circumcisednot that God required it； but in order to remove from the minds
of the Jews that which might be an objection to Timothy's ministration。 In
his work Paul was to journey from city to city； in many lands； and often he
would have opportunity to preach Christ in Jewish synagogues； as well as in
other places of assembly。 If it should be known that one of his companions
in labor was uncircumcised； his work might be greatly hindered by the
prejudice and bigotry of the Jews。 Everywhere the apostle met determined
opposition and severe persecution。 He desired to bring to his Jewish
brethren； as well as to the Gentiles； a knowledge of the gospel； and
therefore he sought； so far as was consistent with the faith； to remove
every pretext for opposition。 Yet while he conceded this much to Jewish
prejudice； he believed and taught circumcision or uncircumcision to be
nothing and the gospel of Christ everything。
Paul loved Timothy； his 〃own son in the faith。〃 1 Timothy 1：2。 The great
apostle often drew the younger disciple out； questioning him in regard to
Scripture history； and as they traveled from place to place； he carefully
taught him how to do successful work。 Both Paul and Silas； in all their
association with Timothy； sought to deepen the impression that had already
been made upon his mind； of the sacred； serious nature of the work of the
gospel minister。
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In his work； Timothy constantly sought Paul's advice and instruction。 He did
not move from impulse； but exercised consideration and calm thought；
inquiring at every step； Is this the way of the Lord？ The Holy Spirit found
in him one who could be molded and fashioned as a temple for the indwelling
of the divine Presence。
As the lessons of the Bible are wrought into the daily life； they have a
deep and lasting influence upon the character。 These lessons Timothy learned
and practiced。 He had no specially brilliant talents； but his work was
valuable because he used his God…given abilities in the Master's service。
His knowledge of experimental piety distinguished him from other believers
and gave him influence。
Those who labor for souls must attain to a deeper； fuller； clearer knowledge
of God than can be gained by ordinary effort。 They must throw all their
energies into the work of the Master。 They are engaged in a high and holy
calling； and if they gain souls for their hire they must lay firm hold upon
God； daily receiving grace and power from the Source of all blessing。 〃For
the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men； teaching
us that； denying ungodliness and worldly lusts； we should live soberly；
righteously； and godly； in this present world； looking for that blessed
hope； and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ； who gave Himself for us； that He might redeem us from all iniquity；
and purify unto Himself a peculiar people； zealous of good works。〃 Titus
2：11…14。
Before pressing forward into new territory； Paul and his companions visited
the churches that had been
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established in Pisidia and the regions round about。 〃As they went through
the cities； they delivered them the decrees for to keep； that were ordained
of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem。 And so were the churches
established in the faith； and increased in number daily。〃
The apostle Paul felt a deep responsibility for those converted under his
labors。 Above all things； he longed that they should be faithful； 〃that I
may rejoice in the day of Christ；〃 he said； 〃that I have not run in vain；
neither labored in vain。〃 Philippians 2：16。 He trembled for the result of
his ministry。 He felt that even his own salvation might be imperiled if he
should fail of fulfilling his duty and the church should fail of
co…operating with him in the work of saving souls。 He knew that preaching
alone would not suffice to educate the believers to hold forth the word of
life。 He knew that line upon line； precept upon precept； here a little and
there a little； they must be taught to advance in the work of Christ。
It is a universal principle that whenever one refuses to use his God…given
powers； these powers decay and perish。 Truth that is not lived； that is not
imparted； loses its life…giving power； its healing virtue。 Hence the
apostle's fear that he might fail of presenting every man perfect in Christ。
Paul's hope of heaven grew dim when he contemplated any failure on his part
that would result in giving the church the mold of the human instead of the
divine。 His knowledge； his eloquence； his miracles； his view of eternal
scenes when caught up to the third heavenall would be unavailing if
through unfaithfulness in his work those for whom he
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labored should fail of the grace of God。 And so； by word of mouth and by
letter； he pleaded with those who had accepted Christ； to pursue a course
that would enable them to be 〃blameless and harmless； the sons of God；
without rebuke； in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation； 。 。 。 as
lights in the world； holding forth the word of life。〃 Philippians 2：15； 16。
Every true minister feels a