Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Acts Chapter 11
Metaphysically Interpreting Acts 11:1-18
11:1Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 11:2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 11:3saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 11:4But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, 11:5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: 11:6upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. 11:7And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 11:8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. 11:9But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 11:10And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11:11And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. 11:12And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: 11:13and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; 11:14who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house. 11:15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 11:16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. 11:17If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? 11:18And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
June 7, 1925: Acts 11:5-18
In today's lesson what is Spirit teaching Peter? The Hebrew religion, in which Peter had been educated, assumed that the Jews were God's chosen people, and Peter had been taught not to associate with uncircumcised men or even to eat with them. In this lesson Peter has just been baptized by the Holy Spirit and is being instructed by it; he is shown that even the Gentiles can be saved.
What means did Spirit use to instruct Peter? Spirit instructed him in a vision. In verse 5 Peter states that when he was praying and in a trance (or a supersensitive state of consciousness) he saw a great sheet, with all kinds of living creatures on it, let down from the sky.
Did Peter understand the meaning of this vision? No. He heard a voice saying: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." Peter took the command literally, and protested that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. The presumption is that he was not an eater of flesh food.
Spiritually interpreted, what is the meaning of the phrase "kill and eat"? A careful translation of the command, "kill and eat," is given in Ferrar Fenton's complete Bible in modern English as "sacrifice and eat." To sacrifice is to consecrate and dedicate to the superconscious mind all life as divine life.
Should we interpret Peter's vision to mean that the Lord desired him to kill and eat as food all kinds of animals? Certainly not. Such an interpretation would betray the paucity of spiritual understanding in those giving the interpretation. Peter himself explains that he finally understood the vision to mean that he should accept the Gentiles as worthy of Holy Spirit baptism.
Does the Spirit of the Lord instruct people in visions and dreams today? Yes. The true followers of Jesus look to the spiritual realms for guidance. Visions and dreams are becoming a pronounced avenue of communication between the heavens and the earth, or between the superconscious and conscious realms of mind. "And it shall come to pass afterward . . . your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."
After the Lord had broadened Peter's vision, what followed? Three men (Gentiles) from Caesarea stood before Peter's house, Peter spoke the word of Truth to them and took them into the brotherhood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he went with them, "making no distinction."
In this lesson, how did the Lord appear to a Gentile? In verse 13 the man to whom Peter was sent explains "how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shaft be saved, thou and all thy house."
What was the result of this union of Jew and Gentile in the one faith? When we enter into the realization that we all live, move, and have our being in the one Life and that in the sight of God there is no separation, that the Holy Spirit or the whole Spirit of God pours out upon us its purifying, regenerating life, we realize that we are all restored to our original unity with Divine Mind.
August 23, 1931: Acts 11:5-18
In today's lesson, what is Spirit teaching Peter? The Hebrew religion, in which Peter had been educated, assumed that the Jews were God's chosen people, and Peter had been taught not to associate with uncircumcised men or even to eat with them. In this lesson Peter is being instructed by the Holy Spirit. He is shown that even the Gentiles can be saved.
What means did Spirit use to instruct Peter? Spirit instructed him in a vision. In the 5th verse Peter states that when he was praying, and in a trance, (or a supersensitive state of consciousness), he saw a great sheet, with all kinds of living creatures in it, let down from the sky.
Did Peter understand the meaning of this vision? No. He heard a voice, saying: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." Peter took the command literally, and protested that he had never eaten anything common or unclean.
Spiritually interpreted, what is the meaning of the phrase, "Kill and eat"? A careful translation of the command, "Kill and eat," is given in Ferrar Fenton's complete Bible in modern English as, "Sacrifice and eat." To sacrifice is to give up the desires of the personal mind, and to consecrate and dedicate to the superconscious mind all life as divine life.
Should we interpret Peter's vision to mean that the Lord desired him to kill and eat as food all kinds of animals? Certainly not. Such an interpretation would betray a lack of spiritual understanding. Peter himself explains that he finally understood the vision to mean that he should accept the Gentiles as worthy of Holy Spirit baptism.
Does the Spirit of the Lord instruct people in visions and dreams today? Yes. The true followers of Jesus look to the spiritual realm for guidance. Visions and dreams are becoming a pronounced avenue of communication between the heavens and the earth, or between the superconscious and the conscious realms of mind. "And it shall come to pass afterward, that . . . your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
After the Lord had broadened Peter's vision, what followed? Three men (Gentiles) from Caesarea stood before Peter's house, and he went with them, "making no distinction."
In this lesson, how did the Lord appear to a Gentile? In the 13th verse the man to whom Peter was sent explains "how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house."
What is the result of this union of Jew and Gentile (religious and secular ideas) in the one faith? When we enter into the realization that we all "live, and move, and have our being" in the one Life, and that in the sight of God there is no separation, that the Holy Spirit, or the whole Spirit of God, pours out upon us its purifying, regenerating life, we realize that we all are respired to our original unity with Divine Mind.
August 23, 1936: Acts 11:5-18
Into what two classes to dreams and visions fall? First are those which occur during sleep without conscious volition on man's part. In the second class falls conscious vision or the power to foresee and understand events and to enjoy an unusual degree of perceptive ability.
How does subconscious vision occur? Usually in the form of mental images that are vivid enough to remain in the memory after the dreamer wakens, when they may be interpreted.
Explain conscious vision more explicitly. When the man of understanding considers and meditates upon ideas under spiritual guidance the result is conscious vision.
In this lesson what does Peter represent? Peter (faith) represents subconscious vision. Through faith man comes in contact with higher realms of thought than he is capable of reaching otherwise.
Is any situation beyond being met in faith? "All things are possible to him that believeth," therefore nothing is too difficult for faith to resolve.
What is represented by the three men from Caesarea who were sent to Joppa to fetch Peter? Caesarea represents the intellect, and the three men the spirit, soul and body of man under the dominance of intellect.
Why does the intellect require faith in order to perfect its work? Until it is permeated by faith the intellect does not possess true understanding. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," therefore it enables man to convert subconscious vision into conscious vision or understanding.
What qualifications for leadership does the man of faith have? Confidence and self-possession, qualities essential to leadership, are part of the equipment of the man who trusts God.
What two faculties are always developed in the man of vision? Imagination and spiritual judgment are well developed in the man of spiritual or conscious vision.
How did Jesus speak of spiritual vision? He said, "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner."
November 12, 1950: Acts 11:11-18
Is tolerance essential to fellowship? Yes. Without tolerance there may be pity or condescension, distrust or suspicion, but never fellowship. We may not see alike in all things, but if we wish to be one with others in a bond of faith, friendship, or active good will, we must be willing to magnify the points of agreement we hold in common with others and not enter into controversy with them in our differences of opinion.
With what three phases of thought should faith go unquestioningly? With loyalty, willingness, and obedience, represented by the three men sent by Cornelius. Cornelius was a devout man as well as a man in authority, and here he represents the high rank or authority accorded to complete devotion to Truth.
What traits go with faith and reinforce it in accomplishing its work? Persuasiveness ("exhortation in Christ"), love ("consolation of love"), fellowship ("fellowship of the Spirit"), tender mercy and compassion, joy, humility or self-forgetfulness. (Six brethren accompanied Peter to Caesarea.)
What is signified by the angel that stood in Cornelius's house and told him to send for Peter? The angel symbolizes the high spiritual perceptive faculty within the soul of man that ever dwells in Divine Mind. Its mission is to bring us messages direct from God when our mind is sufficiently open to receive spiritual stimuli.
What words have sufficient power to cause the Holy Spirit to descend into the life of a man and that of his household and friends? Words of faith in the living Christ such as those which Peter spoke to Cornelius and his assembled company. Back of the words were the zeal and living faith that brought conviction to the hearers.
Why was it in the beginning, in each instance, that the disciples and Cornelius received the Holy Spirit? Because the inception of an idea in mind arouses a livelier interest and more exalted feeling than an idea to which the mind is accustomed. A new idea inspires and enlightens the mind so that we give it our entire thought and attention.
What especial encouragement does this lesson have for us in the present materialistic age? It brings us the assurance that the unregenerate state of mind in us (the Gentiles), which includes worldly thoughts, thoughts pertaining to externals, or thoughts that function through the senses, can be regenerated and transformed by words of faith if we give ourselves wholeheartedly to the habit of thinking and speaking them exclusively.
Metaphysically Interpreting Acts 11:19-30
11:19They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. 11:20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 11:21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. 11:22And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: 11:23who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: 11:24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 11:25And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 11:26and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
11:27Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 11:28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. 11:29And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: 11:30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
July 26, 1931: Acts 11:19-21
Is Truth to be confined to those who have been religiously trained, such as the Jews? No. Our lesson today teaches that the nonreligious (the Greeks were nonreligious from the Jewish standpoint) gladly received the word of the Lord. Jesus proclaimed: "I come not to call the righteous, but sinners."
Did Jesus teach sectarianism? No. Jesus taught unity. His prayer in the 17th chapter of John was: "Even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us."
Does good come from seeming evil? There is only one Presence and one Power—the good omnipotent. All things are working together for good. Paul illustrates the truth that the "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." The light that dawned on the martyred Stephen when he ceased to strive with his hearers and began to pray for them dawned later on Saul, after he had had time to think things over well and to consider all that he had seen of the conduct of the Christians under persecution.
August 30, 1936: Acts 11:19-21
What is symbolized by the beginning of world missions? This term is a symbol of man's undertaking to bring his whole consciousness-—spirit, soul, and body—under the influence of the Christ Spirit. When man succeeds in this he is "filled with the Holy Spirit."
After the religious nature, what in man next shows the influence of the Spirit of truth? The intellect (represented in this lessson by the Greeks) follows the religious nature (the Jews) in responding to the Spirit of truth.
What is the result to man when his faith does violence to his intellectual understanding? When this occurs man's powers are divided, his inner life lacks harmony, and he fails to realize the power of Truth to direct him into ways that are best for him.
July 31, 1921: Acts 11:19-30
In this lesson, what do Saul and Barnabas represent in the individual consciousness? Paul represents the will, and Barnabas, the understanding. They had both been baptized by the Lord and were ready for the ministry.
In what department of consciousness do these to work? In this instance, we find Paul and Barnabas were converting the Gentiles; spiritually this indicates that will and understanding are working in the intellect, or in the outer, material realms of the mind.
Was the doctrine taught by Jesus, popular in its early days? No. Even the name, "Christian," was applied in derision, just as in later times, "Puritan" and "Methodist" were so called in ridicule.
Does intellectual religious activity have any effect upon the spiritual mind? Yes. We see from this, that the word of Truth brings results wherever it is expressed. Seemingly very material things, if done in the name of the Lord, eventually bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. According to this history, the teaching among the Gentiles at Antioch attracted the attention of the disciples in Jerusalem.
Do the higher realms in mind recognize sectarianism? No. John Wesley once dreamed that he saw a great throng entering hell, and he asked whether any Methodists were among them. "Yes," he was told, "a plenty of them." "And Baptists?" "Yes." "And Presbyterians?" "Yes." Then he found himself at the gate of heaven, and he earnestly asked the porter who were inside. "Methodists?" "Not one." "Presbyterians? Baptists?" "No, none of these." "Catholics?" "No." "Then, who are inside?" he asked. "Only Christians," was the reply.
August 26, 1923: Acts 11:19-30
What is the meaning of: "And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord"? When the desire for spiritual quickening is centered in the heart, rather than in the head, the increase of spiritual consciousness is much more pronounced. Paul (formerly Saul, the will) converted, becomes, by the power of the word, the most active thought in the establishment of good throughout our being.
As they first conceived of redemption, did the followers of Jesus include the redemption of the body in their teaching? No. We see that they adhered to the old ideas carried over from the Hebrews, that salvation was for the Jews only. The Jews represent our spiritual thoughts, and the Gentiles, our material thoughts.
Is there any indication in this lesson that the so-called temporal man is to be saved also? Yes. In verses 20 and 21 we are told that the Greeks were preaching the Lord Jesus; that the hand of the Lord was with them, and that a great number of the Greeks believed and turned to the Lord. This text indicates that the glad tidings of salvation for man extended to the whole man, spirit, soul, and body.
June 14, 1925: Acts 11:19-30
Because of their persecution by the Jews the early followers of Jesus were scattered abroad. What lesson do we get from this? When we attempt to destroy Truth by killing its exponents, we merely scatter it and cause it to crop out in unexpected places.
Is Truth to be confined to those who have been religiously trained, such as the Jews? No. Our lesson today teaches that the nonreligious (the Greeks, who were nonreligious from the Jewish standpoint) gladly received the word of the Lord. Jesus proclaimed, "I am not to call the righteous, but the sinners."
Did Jesus teach sectarianism? No. Jesus taught unity. His prayer in the 17th chapter of John was: "Even as thou, Father, are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us."
Is it not true that all great religious reformers have had, as their ideal, a church universal? Yes. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ, or the church invisible, is a universal church to which all true Christians belong, regardless of their sectarian affiliations. John Wesley once dreamed that he saw a great throng entering hell, and he asked whether any Methodists were among them. "Yes," he was told, "plenty of them." "And Baptists?" "Yes." "And Presbyterians?" "Yes." Then he found himself at the gate of heaven, and he earnestly asked the porter who were inside. "Methodists?" "Not one." "Presbyterians? Baptists?" "No." "Catholics?" "No." "Then, who are inside?" he asked. "Only Christians," was the reply.
Where did the word "Christian" originate? "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." This name was not chosen by the disciples, for they called one another brethren, saints, believers, disciples. The only New Testament use of the word by a follower of Jesus is in I Peter 4:14-16, where it is used from the point of view of the persecuted. The name "Christian" was applied to the followers of Jesus in ridicule, as "Methodist" and "Puritan" were applied to the early followers of the two church movements designated by these names. The name Christian has been adopted and glorified by those who believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine. What is the meaning of this prophecy? Action and reaction coordinate in the development of the soul. A great work has been accomplished by the disciples in converting both Jews and Gentiles. This work, in the outer sense, symbolizes rapid appropriation of life and substance, which, under the law of action and reaction, brings seeming depletion in the outer realms of consciousness.
When the developing soul realizes a seeming lack, what is the remedy? The remedy for all appearances of lack, whether in mind, body, or affairs, is the realization that in spirit and through spiritual avenues (Barnabas and Paul) there is abundance for all.
October 14, 1933: Acts 11:19-30
What does the history of the early Christians show? This history shows the truth of the saying that the "blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." They were scattered to many lands by persecution, and in that way the gospel was introduced more widely than it would have been otherwise.
Metaphysically, what does this reveal? This state of things reveals that opposition strengthens the thought substance, which gathers power through the force intended for its destruction.
What does a close analysis of a reform movement reveal? Such an analysis discloses that the reform was the work of forces seeking to sustain and build up righteousness and justice. The uncovering of error is a step in it's eradication, but condemnation of error does not correct it; correction is brought about by the constructive power of the good.
In the beginning of the study of Truth, how does the student usually feel? As a rule the student feels that he should apply his new-found understanding only to his religious ideas (only to Jews). As he progresses in his application of Truth principles, however, he begins to branch out into use them in secular ways as well.
Following the stoning of Stephen, what happened? Those who were scattered abroad following the stoning of Stephen, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, preached also to the Greeks.
Metaphysically what do the Greeks represent? The Greeks represent intellectual reasonings, which must become amenable before the scholar or student can be an effective worker or can feel actively happy.
Paul and Barnabas preached in Antioch. Please explain. One meaning given to Antioch is "speedy as a chariot." This implies swiftness and the capacity for carrying. Metaphysically, Antioch refers to the swiftness with which the theology of Paul and Barnabas was made known.
Explain the passage "And a great number that believed turned unto the Lord." This shows the power of the word to convert passive belief into active faith. Turning to the Lord ("to the law and to the testimonies") means putting one's faith to work in a practical way.
In the latter part of this lesson we read of Agabus and of the famine that he predicted. Please explain. Agabus symbolizes that in us which perceives the different forces working in the soul; sees the point at which these forces are likely to clash and the obvious outcome. A famine symbolizes a dearth of spiritual substance. The cooperation expressed in this lesson in the sending of relief in the form of donations by Paul and Barnabas to the Judean Christians was the forerunner of the charitable enterprises of today.
August 25, 1935: Acts 11:19-30
What is the metaphysical meaning of Cyprus and Antioch in this lesson? Cyprus means "Measure of corn," "fairness"; and as a native of that island Barnabas typifies the honest, just, upright state of mind, intellectual reasonings (the Greeks) and formulated theology (Antioch) are fields of thought in which the Barnabas state labors.
Can formalism in religious matters be overcome? Through right use of imagination the abuse of religion that is called formalism is removed. Barnabas, in company with Saul (the will), taught in Antioch for a whole year.
Explain how it is that imagination is sometimes discounted as having no constructive or useful purpose. The race thought considers imagination the idling faculty, as well as a mirror of the unreal and the fanciful. This is a mistake, for when the imagination is rightly used it leads to the increase of substance. "Much people was added unto the Lord" under the preaching of Barnabas.
Why does a sincere student of Truth sometimes fail to demonstrate? The student who becomes engrossed in the reasonableness of Truth loses sight of its spiritual content and fails to give Truth full expression in his life. This unfruitful state is symbolical by the famine foretold by Agabus.
To what does reliance on the physical senses and the world of appearances for guidance in daily living lead? This way of life causes man to give up all thought of religious or spiritual things, and allows the resulting season of barrenness to extend into his inmost consciousness.
June 1, 1941: Acts 11:19-30
Why did those who were scattered abroad after the persecution that arose over Stephen travel as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch? The illumination that came to Steven, while incomplete, made of him such an enthusiast for Christ that he showed zeal without wisdom. Zeal without wisdom brings heart experiences demand, and before he can overcome them he must become aware of resurrection life (Phoenicia), must temper excessive zeal with fairness of mind (Cyprus), and must transmute all ideas rooted in formal theology into the freedom of the Christ mind (must preach and teach in Antioch).
Why was the word of Truth spoken at first only to Jews? The Jews symbolize our religious thoughts, the Gentiles our worldly thoughts. One normally connects the word of Truth with the religious rather than with the worldly in consciousness.
Why did the disciples of Cyprus and Cyrene speak the word of truth to the Greeks also in Antioch? The Greeks represent intellectual reasonings. Until the word of Truth reaches these the whole man cannot be awake into the possibility of the resurrection life. The conception of religion as something affecting only the soul of man must yield to the larger view of man's whole nature as essentially divine in origin.
What traits in man quicken his realization of his true nature in Christ? Fairness, understanding of the oneness of life, love of the things that are above, denial of the natural self, and faithfulness to his best light are helps to this end.
What metaphysical meaning attaches to the statement that "the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem"? We experience a deep sense of peace and well-being when we realize that our true nature in Christ is divine. The church in Jerusalem represents the center of peace within us.
Why did the coming of Barnabas to Antioch result in many people being "added unto the Lord"? Barnabas represents the faculty of imagination, the function of which is to increase what it holds in mind.
Is the imagination always a helpful faculty? No, it may work either good or evil, according to the nature of the idea on which it dwells. To add "unto the Lord" it must spring from goodness, the Holy Spirit consciousness, and faith. All these Barnabas possessed.
To what does the continued enlarging of the mental outlook lead? It gives man a perception of the spiritual forces at work, shows him where these forces are likely to clash, and reveals the outcome to him. In other words an enlarged mental outlook sometimes endows man with prophetic insight into the causes that underlie events.
September 12, 1948: Acts 11:22-26
What is the effect of goodness actively expressed in our life? God is all-good, and He is the creator of every good and perfect gift. Goodness, being a God quality, is constructive and creative. Goodness actively expressed in our life creates harmony in all our affairs.
In terms of goodness what is the Holy Spirit? It is complete, virile good in possession of our will and life.
Of what practical value is faith in God? Faith in God benefits it's possessor as well as those who come under his influence. Each man's faith in God increases the sum total of the faith of mankind, making conscious faith more easily attained, and therefore helps to uplift the world of which he is a part.
How do we actively express goodness? By co-operating with those who are following Truth and trying to express it. Because Barnabas believed in the Christ in himself and his fellow disciples he wished to share his possessions with them. To him the Christ meant brotherly love and helpfulness as well as zeal for Truth.
In what ways through good judgment does goodness find expression? In organization and cooperation. Barnabas (here representing the imagination allied to wisdom in active expression) entered into the work of preaching and of teaching the Jews and Gentiles in Antioch, and he persuaded Saul (the illumined will) to join him here. In choosing Saul Barnabas showed penetrating judgment and a sound estimate of character. The imagination guided by Truth (Christ) promotes good judgment and sees the goodness that is awaiting recognition.
July 22, 1928: Acts 11:25, 26
Where were the followers of Christ first called Christians? "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The name "Christian" was applied to the followers of Jesus in ridicule, as "Methodist" and "Puritan" were applied to the early followers of the two church movements designated by these names. The title of Christian has been adopted and glorified by those who exemplify its originator. Before long the different Christian sects will become ashamed of the dogmas that separate them, and will come together under the one grand name, Christian.
What part does Barnabas play in smoothing out the turmoil and fear introduced by the aggressive will? The name Barnabas means "son of exhortation." Barnabas represents the word of the Lord expressed and it's pacifying, explanatory sense. He was always smoothing out the rough places, and in this respect was the harmonizer of the fiery zeal of Paul.
April 16, 1944: Acts 11:25, 26
Why did peace descend on the church in Antioch later? Because the "church" was the nucleus from which the teaching went out, and it was composed of those who were all of one mind. When the will works in harmony with the other faculties peace prevails.
October 20, 1946: Acts 11:25:26
What symbolism is apparent in the calling of Saul by Barnabas to assist him in the work in Antioch? One who is called from the state of tranquility and pleasantness (Tarsus) for the purpose of putting life into formulated theology (Antioch) needs to work with great spiritual understanding (Barnabas) if he is to effect the change that will result in unifying the whole man, spirit, soul, and body. Saul and Barnabas worked in Antioch for a whole year before departing on their first missionary journey.
September 16, 1951: Acts 11:27-30
On what is prophecy based? On a perception of the various forces at work in the soul or in the world, and of the trend that these forces are likely to take, as well as the probable outcome of their activity. In other words, it is based on an understanding of the law of cause and effect seen at work in the affairs of mankind.
What common ground must those have who wish to co-operate in the exercise of faith? They must have faith in the Supreme Being or in the essential goodness and rightness of the divine order as it is manifested in the universe. People of every religious belief can thus unite to preserve their common faith in the Supreme Being, God.
Transcribed by Dan Beckett on 9-17-2013
