CHURCH RAISED UP AT ANTIOCH.
WHEN the disciples were scattered abroad by the-persecution that followed the martyrdom of Stephen, some of them traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch. Wherever they went, they preached to the Jews dwelling in those countries, that ‘Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.’
At Antioch, however, some of the disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene began to teach the Grecians also, preaching to them the gospel of salvation through Christ. "And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."
When the church at Jerusalem heard what was going on at Antioch, they sent Barnabas to look into the matter. On arriving at Antioch, he was made to rejoice at seeing what the Lord had done, and exhorted them all, that with earnest purpose of heart they should cleave to the Lord, and serve him faithfully.
"For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and, much people were added unto the Lord."
Knowing that Paul had been especially commissioned as an apostle to the Gentiles, Barnabas sought him in his retirement at Tarsus, and called him forth to an important field of labor. Paul and Barnabas returned together to Antioch, where they remained, preaching and laboring with great success, for an entire year. A large church-was raised up, and here at Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
About this time certain prophets came-up from Jerusalem. Among them was one named Ag'-a-bus, who prophesied that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world. "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea; which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
Not far from the time of the events just noticed, King Herod began to take an active part in persecuting the church. He killed James the brother of John, with the sword; and when he saw that this atrocious act pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter, and put him in prison. In order to guard against his escape, Herod put Peter in charge of sixteen soldiers, intending, after Easter, to bring him forth and put him to death before the people. While Peter was thus held captive, the church prayed incessantly for his deliverance; and on the very night before Herod was to bring him out; an angel of the Lord appeared to him.
Now Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, and was bound with two chains, the keepers of the prison standing guard before the door. When, the angel appeared, the prison was lighted up with his glory; he
smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying,
"Arise up quickly." As these words were spoken, the chains fell from Peter's hands, and the angel said,
"Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." When Peter had done this, the angel spoke again, saying,
"Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me."
Peter obeyed, not knowing that he was really being delivered, but supposing that he was in vision. When they had passed the first and second ward, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. To the great surprise of Peter, this gate opened of its own accord.
After passing through the gate, the angel went on with Peter through one street, when he suddenly departed from him. As soon as he had recovered himself, Peter said, "Now I know of a surety that the
Lord hath sent his angel, and bath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."
After meditating a short time on this wonderful experience, Peter went on to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark. At this place a company were gathered together, praying.
When Peter knocked at the door, a damsel named Rhoda went to ask who was there. As soon as Peter answered, she knew his voice, and was so delighted that she ran in, without thinking to open the gate.
When they who were in the house heard her say that Peter stood without, they could not believe, but said to her, "Thou art mad." Nevertheless, she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then they concluded that it must be his angel. But Peter kept on knocking till they opened the door. When they saw Peter come in, they were astonished; but he motioned to them to keep silent, and then gave them a full account of his deliverance, saying, "Go, show these things unto James, and to the brethren." Then he departed, and went into another place.
"Now, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers what was become of Peter.
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode.