the acts of the apostles-第32章
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agencies appointed for the spread of the gospel； and these powers of
darkness are especially active when the truth is proclaimed before men of
repute and sterling integrity。 Thus it was when Sergius Paulus； the deputy
of Cyprus； was listening to the gospel message。 The deputy had sent for the
apostles； that he might be instructed in the message they had come to bear；
and now the forces of evil； working through the sorcerer Elymas； sought with
their baleful suggestions to turn him from the faith and so thwart the
purpose of God。
Thus the fallen foe ever works to keep in his ranks men of influence who； if
converted； might render effective service in God's cause。 But the faithful
gospel worker need not
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fear defeat at the hand of the enemy； for it is his privilege to be endued
with power from above to withstand every satanic influence。
Although sorely beset by Satan； Paul had the courage to rebuke the one
through whom the enemy was working。 〃Filled with the Holy Ghost；〃 the
apostle 〃set his eyes on him； and said； O full of all subtlety and all
mischief； thou child of the devil； thou enemy of all righteousness； wilt
thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord？ And now； behold； the
hand of the Lord is upon thee； and thou shalt be blind； not seeing the sun
for a season。 And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness； and
he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand。 Then the deputy； when he
saw what was done； believed； being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord。〃
The sorcerer had closed his eyes to the evidences of gospel truth； and the
Lord； in righteous anger； caused his natural eyes to be closed； shutting out
from him the light of day。 This blindness was not permanent； but only for a
season； that he might be warned to repent and seek pardon of the God whom he
had so grievously offended。 The confusion into which he was thus brought
made of no effect his subtle arts against the doctrine of Christ。 The fact
that he was obliged to grope about in blindness proved to all that the
miracles which the apostles had performed； and which Elymas had denounced as
sleight of hand； were wrought by the power of God。 The deputy； convinced of
the truth of the doctrine taught by the apostles； accepted the gospel。
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Elymas was not a man of education； yet he was peculiarly fitted to do the
work of Satan。 Those who preach the truth of God will meet the wily foe in
many different forms。 Sometimes it will be in the person of learned； but
more often of ignorant； men； whom Satan has trained to be successful
instruments to deceive souls。 It is the duty of the minister of Christ to
stand faithful at his post； in the fear of God and in the power of His
might。 Thus he may put to confusion the hosts of Satan and may triumph in
the name of the Lord。
Paul and his company continued their journey； going to Perga； in Pamphylia。
Their way was toilsome； they encountered hardships and privations； and were
beset with dangers on every side。 In the towns and cities through which they
passed； and along the lonely highways； they were surrounded by dangers seen
and unseen。 But Paul and Barnabas had learned to trust God's power to
deliver。 Their hearts were filled with fervent love for perishing souls。 As
faithful shepherds in search of the lost sheep； they gave no thought to
their own ease and convenience。 Forgetful of self； they faltered not when
weary； hungry； and cold。 They had in view but one objectthe salvation of
those who had wandered far from the fold。
It was here that Mark； overwhelmed with fear and discouragement； wavered for
a time in his purpose to give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work。
Unused to hardships； he was disheartened by the perils and privations of the
way。 He had labored with success under favorable
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circumstances； but now； amidst the opposition and perils that so often beset
the pioneer worker； he failed to endure hardness as a good soldier of the
cross。 He had yet to learn to face danger and persecution and adversity with
a brave heart。 As the apostles advanced； and still greater difficulties were
apprehended； Mark was intimidated and； losing all courage； refused to go
farther and returned to Jerusalem。
This desertion caused Paul to judge Mark unfavorably； and even severely； for
a time。 Barnabas； on the other hand； was inclined to excuse him because of
his inexperience。 He felt anxious that Mark should not abandon the ministry；
for he saw in him qualifications that would fit him to be a useful worker
for Christ。 In after years his solicitude in Mark's behalf was richly
rewarded； for the young man gave himself unreservedly to the Lord and to the
work of proclaiming the gospel message in difficult fields。 Under the
blessing of God； and the wise training of Barnabas； he developed into a
valuable worker。
Paul was afterward reconciled to Mark and received him as a fellow laborer。
He also recommended him to the Colossians as one who was a fellow worker
〃unto the kingdom of God；〃 and 〃a comfort unto me。〃 Colossians 4：11。 Again；
not long before his own death； he spoke of Mark as 〃profitable〃 to him 〃for
the ministry。〃 2 Timothy 4：11。
After the departure of Mark； Paul and Barnabas visited Antioch in Pisidia
and on the Sabbath day went into the Jewish synagogue and sat down。 〃After
the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent
unto
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them； saying； Ye men and brethren； if ye have any word of exhortation for
the people； say on。〃 Being thus invited to speak； 〃Paul stood up； and
beckoning with his hand said； Men of Israel； and ye that fear God； give
audience。〃 Then followed a wonderful discourse。 He proceeded to give a
history of the manner in which the Lord had dealt with the Jews from the
time of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage； and how a Saviour had been
promised； of the seed of David； and he boldly declared that 〃of this man's
seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour； Jesus：
when John had first preached before His coming the baptism of repentance to
all the people of Israel。 And as John fulfilled his course； he said； Whom
think ye that I am？ I am not He。 But； behold； there cometh One after me；
whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose。〃 Thus with power he
preached Jesus as the Saviour of men； the Messiah of prophecy。
Having made this declaration； Paul said； 〃Men and brethren； children of the
stock of Abraham； and whosoever among you feareth God； to you is the word of
this salvation sent。 For they that dwell at Jerusalem； and their rulers；
because they knew Him not； nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read
every Sabbath day； they have fulfilled them in condemning Him。〃
Paul did not hesitate to speak the plain truth concerning the rejection of
the Saviour by the Jewish leaders。 〃Though they found no cause of death in
Him；〃 the apostle declared； 〃yet desired they Pilate that He should be
slain。 And when
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they had fulfilled all that was written of Him； they took Him down from the
tree； and laid Him in a sepulcher。 But God raised Him from the dead： and He
was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem；
who are His witnesses unto the people。〃
〃We declare unto you glad tidings；〃 the apostle continued； 〃how that the
promise which was made unto the fathers； God hath fulfilled the same unto us
their children； in that He hath raised up Jesus again； as it is also written
in the second psalm； Thou art My Son； this day have I begotten Thee。 And as
concerning that He raised Him up from the dead； now no more to return to
corruption； He said on this wise； I will give you the sure mercies of David。
Wherefore He saith also in another psalm； Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy
One to see corruption。 For David； after he had served his own generation by
the will of God； fell on sleep； and was laid unto his fathers； and saw
corruption： but He； whom God raised again； saw no corruption。〃
And now； having spoken plainly of the fulfillment of fami
