(5) _The organizing of missionary work by the church._ This was done in Antioch, as seen in Acts 13:1-3. In this action, guided by the Holy Spirit, the church at Antioch became the pioneer church in missionary labor. It is worth noting that the Holy Spirit chose for this missionary work, not the inferior members of the church, but their very best men. What an example to the church of later days! To this day we need not the lesser lights for missionary work, but the great lights of the church. Let the lesser lights burn at home, but the great lights be sent into the outer darkness to illuminate that. This is the Divine plan. (6) _The crossing of the gospel from Asia to Europe._ This took place from Troas to Philippi. It was in accord with the Divine plan (Acts 16:9). This army of invasion consisted of only four men, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. A feeble force, as viewed from the merely human standpoint; but a potent force viewed from the Divine position. The story is one of the most fascinating in all history. Noteworthy it is that in Europe the first two converts were women--Lydia was the first, and the poor woman possessed of a spirit of divination the second (Acts 16). This woman was under the control of a syndicate of men, who made gain from her misfortune. In these two cases we see a kind of prophecy of the work that the gospel does for womankind. All other religions degrade woman. Only the Christian religion puts her where God originally placed her, by man's side, as his helpmate. Alas! soon half of this army of invasion finds itself in prison on account of its beneficent work. Yet even here they make a conquest, and before morning the jailor, who put them in the inner prison, is himself a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. An army with such a spirit as Paul and Silas had is practically invincible. Thus, the gospel started on its westward way, destined in due time to reach these western shores, then as yet unknown to the eastern world. Test Questions Why is the Acts of the Apostles the most important book in the New Testament? Name the first of the six pivotal events recorded in the Acts. To what danger was the early church exposed? About how many members did the church in Jerusalem have before the persecution broke out? Name the second pivotal event in the Acts. How did the scattered disciples show their great loyalty to the truth? Give the third pivotal event in the Acts. What fact in the conversion of Saul is of the utmost importance? Give the fourth pivotal event. What was this middle wall of partition? What was there remarkable in the miracles that God wrought to convince Peter that he was to tear the wall down? Name the fifth pivotal event in the Acts. What kind of men did the Holy Spirit choose for missionaries? Give the sixth pivotal event in the Acts. What significance is there in the first conversions in Europe? What notable victory did Paul and Silas gain in prison? Lesson 9 The Life of Paul