ACTS 13-28 THE TRUTH OF THE MYSTERY UNFOLDED

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Acts 13-20: THE MYSTERY PROCLAIMED

CHURCH PREDOMINANTLY GENTILE

Acts 13 introduces the Spirit's testimony in Paul's mission, beginning formally at Antioch, based on the fact that the Church, which is the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22,23), was formed by the baptism in the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13), at Pentecost, once for all.  All added since that baptism in the Spirit receive the same "Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4; John 14:16,26; 16:7).  Such are "in Christ" and so there were those "who also were in Christ before me" (Rom.16:7).  Paul's mission included the unfolding of the truth of the mystery of Christ and the Church, as well as the gospel of the glory.  As the Jews refused the Spirit's testimony to Christ in glory, so they refused the Spirit's testimony of grace to the Gentiles.

"The Holy Ghost now calls, through prophets, for the separation of Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he had called them, and they are sent forth by the Holy Ghost.  It is a new kind of apostle.  The first thing we find is a figure of the total blinding of the Jews who resist the Holy Ghost, and the eyes of Gentiles opened to believe.  Notwithstanding this, Paul (for he is now called Paul) according to the Lord's mind goes always first to the Jews, and afterwards to the Greeks.  John Mark leaves them.  After having preached round, they choose elders for the churches, of whom we here read first among Gentiles.  He then returns to Antioch, and there we find what the laying on of hands had been: that is, they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they had now fulfilled.  'And there they abode a long time with the disciples.'

"The church having now been freely established on heavenly principles outside Jerusalem, Satan seeks to introduce confusion by bringing in the law upon them; and God, to maintain unity, causes the matter to be referred to Jerusalem, so that the apostles there, and the church, should themselves declare the Gentiles free.... They dismiss Judas and Silas; then we get another thing, Paul gathering fellow-laborers around himself .... Now, we get the direct guidance of the Holy Ghost in the carrying out of his ministry; but that direct guidance as not excluding his drawing conclusions from divine intimations sent to him.  Then we have Paul pursuing his ministry--kept of God everywhere--the very demons forced to own him--and as competent as the other apostles to confer the Holy Ghost: free ministry, under the guidance of God's Spirit, still going on." (Collected Writings of J. N. Darby 19:29).

Dispensational Truth, Volume 1, page 144-145, R. A. Huebner