d with the history of _Paul's missionary
labors among the Gentiles, from Antioch as a centre_. He had already
been sent from that city with Barnabas to carry alms to the brethren in
Jerusalem and Judea (chaps. 11:27-30; 12:25), when "the Holy Ghost said,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called
them;" and they were sent, with fasting and prayer and the solemn laying
on of hands, on their great mission to the Gentiles. Chap. 13:1-3.
Thenceforward the narrative is occupied with an account of the labors of
Paul among the Gentiles. The fifteenth chapter is no exception; for the
convocation of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem was occasioned by
the missionary labors of Paul, and had especial reference to them.

Two cities are mentioned in the New Testament which have the
name of _Antioch_--_Antioch_ of _Pisidia_ so-called, though
situated in the southern part of Phrygia near the border of
Pisidia (Acts 13:14; 14:19, 21; 2 Tim. 3:11); and _Antioch_ of
_Syria_, situated on the southern bank of the Orontes about
fifteen miles from its mouth. Acts 11:19-27; 13:1; 14:26;
15:22-35; 18:22; Gal. 2:11. The latter city was the centre of
Gentile Christianity. It was the metropolis of Syria, the
residence of the Syrian kings, and afterwards the capital of the
Roman provinces in Asia. Here the first Gentile church was
gathered, and the disciples first received the name of
_Christians_. Acts 11:19-26. Hence Barnabas and Saul were sent
to Jerusalem to bear alms (Acts 11:29, 30; 12:25); and
afterwards to consult the apostles and elders at Jerusalem on
the question of imposing the Mosaic law on the Gentile converts.
From this city also the apostle started on his three missionary
journeys, and to it he returned from his first and second
journey. Acts 13:1-3; 14:26; 15:36, 40; 18:22, 23. From the time
that Barnabas first brought the apostle to Antioch (Acts 11:26)
to that of his seizure at Jerusalem and subsequent imprisonment,
most of his time not occupied in missionary journeys was spent
at Antioch. Acts 11:26; 12:25; 14:26-28; 15:30, 35; 18:22, 23.
As _Jerusalem_ was the centre for the apostles of the
circumcision, so was _Antioch_ in Syria for the apostle of the
Gentiles.

39. This brief survey of the plan of this book gives us also an insight
into its _office_. First of all it gives us a fresh and vivid
portr