Burunche’s Blog

Acts 18:18-28 Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria

18 Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

19 They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

Hmm. This is interesting. Paul leaves Corinth, traveling to Ephesus, where he enters a synagogue and reasons with the Jews, who ask him to stay longer. Perhaps this indicates that when Paul was shaking the dust off his clothing at the Jews in Corinth, he was only rejecting that particular synagogue. Paul is a very correct man and observes details. Had Paul rejected all synagogues, he would never enter the one in Ephesus. Now Paul visits churches throughout the area, returning to Galatia and Phrygia.

Apollos Instructed at Ephesus

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

27 Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. 28 He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Now a new star appears in the Christian heavens. Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, comes to Ephesus teaching about Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquila realize Apollos knows nothing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they quietly take him aside and instruct him. Apollos proceeds to Achaia, Greece, where he bears strong testimony to the fact that Messiah has already come and his name is Jesus.

Unfortunately, Apollos is so brilliant that immature believers begin to form sects, some favoring Apollos while others favor Paul. It reaches the point that Paul must write to the Corinthians, saying, “4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?

5 After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 7 It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:4-9)

There is never any evidence that Apollos tries to succeed Paul, to undermine him, or to take his position. Apollos understands his place in the Kingdom. But lesser people try to create a group favoring Apollos, perhaps because Paul has offended some of them or because they are hoping that Apollos will not call them out over secret sins. Read more of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and you swiftly realize that the early church had a lot to deal with. Corinth was a major trading center and every kind of depravity flourished there. It’s likely that some believers were trying to mask their pet sins, hoping that God would allow them to continue to enjoy them privately. Perhaps Apollos would give them the permission that Paul had denied.

There’s something about human nature that encourages personality cults. People are willing to fixate on spiritual or political leaders, on movie stars or rock stars, on athletes, or any other category of fame, in hopes of basking in reflected glory. The general idea is that “if I can’t be a star in some form, I can at least be a follower, a fan.” But Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) apart from Jesus Christ.

George Washington Gale was a Presbyterian minister in western New York who longed to be the instrument of revival in that area, known as the “Burned Over area.” Through Gale’s preaching and the prayers of his church members, an atheist lawyer named Charles Grandison Finney came to Christ. Finney became one of the foremost evangelists of the mid-nineteenth century, a leader in the Second Great Awakening, and his preaching sparked massive revivals. Gale eventually moved to central Illinois, founding Galesburg, a city named in his honor, and Knox College, an educational institution that continues to thrive. Gale planted, Finney watered, but God gave the increase.

Today, may God help us so that we witness to the great things He has done in our lives and point others to salvation in Jesus Christ, being careful to remember that everyone has a place in the Kingdom of God. May God help us to remain free of prejudice or envy.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that You call us to work nobody else can do. Help us to shun comparisons or competition with others. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 18: Paul Meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth

1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

One of the things we’re likely to forget is that Paul was not merely a scholar and a preacher. Part of the rabbinic tradition was for rabbis to have a profession apart from teaching Scripture. In a day and age when tents were everywhere, and tent makers were in great need, Paul was a tent maker. Tent making was a highly portable profession, one Paul could easily practice wherever he found himself. Upon arrival in Corinth, Paul connected with a believing Jewish couple, Priscilla and Aquila. The expulsion of the Jews took place somewhere between AD 41-AD 50 and was due to a variety of issues. Christianity was sweeping through the Jewish community in Rome, and there was intense friction between traditional Jews and those accepting Jesus as Messiah. There may well have been an economic motive, for corrupt rulers have also been eager to expel Jews refusing to pay up.

4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

7 Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Wow! Wait a minute, Paul! Did you just shake the dust of the synagogue off your clothes? Do you remember what that signifies? After a lifetime of attending synagogues and speaking in them, Paul is turning his back on the practices of a lifetime, and doing it decisively. Jesus advised his disciples to shake the dust off their clothes when a group of people absolutely refused to receive their message. And now this Pharisee of the Pharisees turns his back on the traditional worship places of his own people, choosing to go to the Gentiles, people whom the Pharisees have previously disdained. True, Paul has been preaching to Gentiles for some time; however, he has also been visiting synagogues as much as possible. Is Paul refusing to testify to Jews? Absolutely not! Paul moves right next door to the synagogue, staying in the home of Titus Justus, a Gentile who worships God. Meanwhile, Crispus, the leader of the synagogue and EVERYONE IN HIS HOUSEHOLD believes in the Lord. Revival breaks out in Corinth. The Jewish leaders in the synagogue are probably chewing their beards in frustration.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

If you were Paul and you had already endured being stoned and left for dead, and being beaten until your back was raw, you might be hesitant to speak out for Jesus. God knows Paul’s heart and understands his concerns. This is why God speaks to Paul, reassuring him that he should speak out. Ever since God spoke these words to Paul, these words have comforted and inspired pastors and missionaries throughout the world. Few things are more disheartening than isolation, feeling that you are totally alone, lacking anyone who understands your situation and your struggles. Later, Paul will write to the Romans, encouraging them.

Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 18:12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. 13 They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

14 But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. 15 But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” 16 And he threw them out of the courtroom.

17 The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

Once more, these ultra-righteous religious leaders are more than willing to employ market rabble when they want to make a point. The “crowd” grabbing Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, is likely comprised of idle young men from the market place who hang around waiting to get into trouble. These guys are more than willing to stage a riot for a small monetary consideration. Meanwhile, the Jewish religious leaders can remain aloof, pretending they have nothing to do with this situation.

What about Gallio, the Roman governor of Achaia? Gallio is a smart cookie; he has seen this kind of thing before and knows it never ends well for outsiders. If the Jews want to punish Paul because of an infringement of one of their regulations, let them handle it themselves. Mother Roma is a great empire, and great empires don’t involve themselves in settling petty problems involving one particular religious sect.

When, if ever, are we justified in shaking the dust off our clothes against a particular place or group of people? Here Paul shakes the dust off his clothes as a sign that he will never preach in another synagogue. Paul continues to witness to all those around him, but he no longer frequents the synagogues as he has in the past. Why does God allow Paul to take such an action? Perhaps Paul must take a definite step to make a total break with his Pharisaic past. Jesus warned that the new wine of the Gospel could not be poured into the old dried-out wineskins of Judaism, for the new wine would ferment, bursting the old wineskins. This symbolic act is as necessary for Paul as for anyone else, for now he must turn his face to the Gentiles.

In studying Paul, we must remember that Paul has been raised in one of the strictest and most demanding sects of Judaism. Paul is a brilliant rabbinic scholar, a star pupil of Gamaliel, one of the most respected teachers at that time. Paul is a Roman citizen and a native of Tarsus, a city devoted to academics and a center of intellectualism. These attributes, wonderful as they are, can also become hindrances when Paul is trying to reach the Gentiles. In a very real sense, Paul has severed a religious umbilical cord and must now move forward depending solely on God rather than his background and training.

Are we ever justified in shaking the dust of a particular group off our clothing? Maybe. Sometimes groups do this for us. In 1996 we were trying to operate a small hospital in the middle of a tribal war when we suddenly received a starchy message from one supporting church indicating that we “no longer fit their missions’ program.” Later we learned that they wanted to focus on locations where they could indulge in missionary tourism. Well, there’s no doubt that we could not invite these people to come to our remote village that was then under military occupation. And missionary tourism would have been impossible. “Here, see the local technical school that has become a military camp? Sorry, but you can’t run a vacation Bible school because it might look suspicious. Oh, and when you hear gun fire in the morning, don’t worry. That’s only the military shooting off a few automatic weapons to let us know that they are large and in charge….unless the gun fire is from a traditional funeral. On the other hand, if you hear gun shots and then hear screams, you might need to rush to the Oti River and cross into Togo.” That was our reality in 1994-1996.

Another supporting church suddenly chose to eliminate all support for foreign missions, even though we had been friends with the pastor for nearly twenty years. God replaced that support; however, the church subsequently dwindled.

The take-away lesson is this: Be absolutely certain that God is leading you before you make a complete break with any individual or group. Remember that Paul returned to Lystra, even though people in Lystra had stoned him and had left him for dead. And remember that Timothy, Paul’s spiritual son, was from Lystra. In other words, “never say never.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be sensitive to Your leading, realizing that You are the One who calls, who guides, and who provides. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 17:1 Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.

5 But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. 6 Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. 7 And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.”

8 The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. 9 So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Well, Paul, the troublemaker is at it again. Paul and Silas have arrived in Thessalonica, and for three Sabbaths, Paul preaches in the synagogue. Many of the Jews are thrilled at the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ; however, there are others who view Paul’s teachings as nothing but a threat. Now these ultra-religious men cheapen themselves, going to the marketplace and collecting rabble who like nothing better than staging a riot. Perhaps money also changes hands; however, there are always idle young men willing to run around shouting, beating the ground with sticks, and generally creating as much noise as possible. These men even go so far as to attack the home of Jason, a local leader, in hopes of finding Paul and Silas.

Frustrated at missing Paul and Silas, Jewish religious leaders then charge the two with treason against Caesar in absentia and also accuse Jason and other believers of treason as well. The charges of treason stem from the proclamation of Jesus as a heavenly king and therefore no competition for Caesar. But the Jews always exist in an uneasy relationship with the Romans, for the Romans demand their Caesars should be venerated as gods while the Jews claim to worship the One True Living God and not Caesar. By bringing these accusations, the Jews hope to solidify their position in the community as upright citizens supporting the Roman rulers. Jason and other believers have no choice but to send Paul and Silas elsewhere.

Paul and Silas in Berea

10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Things are going well in Berea. Paul preaches in the synagogue, and people listen eagerly, searching the Scriptures and realizing that Paul is speaking God’s truth. But Jewish religious leaders from Thessalonica hear about Paul’s success in Berea and rush there to try to incite riots just as they have in their own town. Believers escort Paul all the way to Athens while Silas and Timothy quietly remain, teaching the new believers and encouraging the fledgling church.

Although we would like to think otherwise, the preaching of the Gospel remains scandalous to many people, and they will do everything possible to silence or even kill the preachers. Why should these people feel threatened? What is wrong with the Gospel?

The essence of the Gospel is that God has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live as a man and die as a perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. Anyone believing in what Jesus has done and trusting in that sacrifice for salvation will receive the gift of eternal life. Paul is preaching to idolators, many of whom are thrilled to learn that they don’t have to keep slaughtering animals in propitiation for their sins. But some Jewish religious leaders are scandalized. For centuries, the Jews have claimed to be waiting for the Messiah. If Paul’s preaching is true, Messiah has come and his own people have rejected him. In addition, if Messiah has come, then some of the most cherished Jewish practices are no longer necessary. Broad-minded men with gladsome spirits such as Gamaliel welcome this news while others, less broad-minded, can only think of this radical message as a threat to the very foundations of their lives and standing in the community. Anytime someone mistakes the form of religion for substance, such conflicts are inevitable. Ironically, these men who claim to be so law-abiding and righteous think nothing of employing troublemakers from the marketplace when necessary. Centuries later, Machiavelli will contend that the end justifies the means. These men are indulging in similar thinking.

Today throughout the world in Nigeria, India, China, Sudan, and even in U.K. and New York City, the Gospel remains scandalous. When men love darkness rather than light, they can ignore spiritual truth, preferring to eliminate the messengers by any means possible. But the life-changing message of God’s love for sinful men and women remains. The question for us is this: What will we do with the Gospel? Will we share it, even at the peril of our lives? Or will we soft-pedal, hoping that somehow if we are simply good people, that will be sufficient? May God help us to remain steadfast, sharing His Good News compassionately but truthfully.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to share the Gospel wherever and whenever we can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 16 Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus

Acts 16:11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. 12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

The wonderful thing about Paul and Silas is that they take every opportunity to share the magnificent news about salvation in Jesus Christ. It’s the Sabbath, and Paul and Silas walk out to a place on a riverbank where people meet for prayer. Lydia from Thyatira is a wealthy merchant, respected by everyone who knows her. Now God speaks to Lydia’s heart, and she begs for baptism. After baptism, Lydia invites Paul and Silas to her home, thrilled by the moving of the Holy Spirit. Sounds wonderful, right? But things are about to get nasty.

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”

18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.

19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

In Paul’s day, possessed people were victimized. The criminals controlling this poor demonized enslaved teen-ager had no interest in her well-being or her eventual fate; all they wanted was for the demon to speak so people would pay them handsomely. But when Paul and Silas cast out the demon, the girl becomes simply one more poor young woman and worthless financially. Now the girl’s masters are furious. If they can’t make money, at least they can take revenge. Down in the market place, there are plenty of idle young men who are always willing to form a mob, especially if they might get paid. City officials who have benefited from the girl’s arcane talents are more than ready to issue an edict and throw these two trouble makers in jail.

22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

At midnight, Paul and Silas are worshiping God while other prisoners listen. Suddenly, there is a massive earthquake, freeing all the prisoners. The jailer is ready to kill himself, for the punishment he will receive will include severe beating and torture before he is put to death for dereliction of duty. But Paul assures the jailer that not a single prisoner has escaped. Now the jailer comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and he and his entire household accept Jesus Christ and are baptized. One of the worst nights of Paul’s life has turned into one of the best. But what about the city officials? Those fellows are about to receive a severe shock.

35 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

Now the local officials are sweating bullets! Turns out that these two troublemakers are Roman citizens whose rights have been violated. Roman citizens had ten rights, including the right to vote, the right to hold public office, legal protection that allowed citizens to appeal to a higher authority if they felt that their legal rights had been violated, the right to a fair trial, the right to own and transfer property and engage in commercial transactions, the right to marry, tax exemptions, the right to serve in the military, immunity from certain punishments, and inheritance rights. (https://roman-empire.net/society/roman-citizenship)

By seizing Paul and Silas, beating them, and throwing them in jail without a trial, city officials have violated the terms of their Roman citizenship. Roman citizenship provided certain immunities and protections from certain types of punishment. For example, citizens could not be subjected to certain types of corporal punishment or torture. All of this was designed to ensure that citizens were treated fairly and justly under the law.

38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

There are several important points about this story, apart from the obvious miracle of an earthquake that would open prison doors and sever chains. The prisoners don’t immediately take off when they find themselves free. Perhaps these men have been so impressed by Paul and Silas that they want to know more. Paul succeeds in keeping the jailer from killing himself, and the jailer and his entire family become Christians. One of the most significant facts is that of Roman citizenship. Long before Paul and Silas ever found themselves being thrown into that prison, they had already been born as Roman citizens. God arranged the circumstances of the births of two men so that eventually, that citizenship would protect them.

It is a sad mistake when we assume that we are merely pawns of fate or karma and that our lives are meaningless. God, the Lord God Almighty of the Universe, Melech Ha-Olam, arranges details. We have free will and we can mess up anything; however, in the beginning, God has great plans for us. Even though this story focuses on Paul and Silas, consider all the others involved. Lydia and her household accept Jesus as Savior, and Lydia undoubtedly returns to share her good news with all her business associates. The jailer and his family, plus the prisoners, all learn about Jesus. Who knows how many people will later come into the Kingdom because of the testimonies of these people? We hope that God delivers the demonized slave girl from her cruel masters, allowing her to live a fulfilling and godly life. And who knows what happens in the hearts of the city officials? These men also may come to a saving knowledge of God’s grace. God is always reaching out to as many people as possible; we are the ones who limit Him.

May God help us, so that we take advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate the love of God in Christ Jesus to all those around us!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to realize that You want to reach all those around us and that we are to be channels of Your love and grace. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 16:1-10 Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

16 Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, 3 so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

Remember the city of Lystra, where Jewish religious leaders stirred up the rabble so that they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, leaving him for dead? Remember how Paul refused to shake the dust of Lystra off his shoes and later returned to strengthen and encourage local believers? Now Paul is returning to Lystra, where God has a new disciple waiting for Paul, one who will become as close as a son. Timothy’s mother is a Jewish believer while his father is Greek. We know nothing about Timothy’s father; perhaps he has already died before his wife has become a Christian. All we know is that Timothy is a fervent follower of Jesus Christ. Paul has Timothy circumcised so that Timothy and he won’t have to fight Jewish prejudices in the future. As soon as Timothy heals from the circumcision, Paul and Silas and Timothy begin traveling throughout the area, strengthening and encouraging the churches.

We read the fact that Timothy is from Lystra and it doesn’t mean much to us. But think about the disaster had Paul completely turned his back on that city. What if Paul had refused to return to Lystra after he had been stoned? What if Paul had refused to return to Lystra later? Paul and Timothy might never have met, and the church as a whole would have lost a vibrant young leader. In the Jewish scholastic tradition, rabbis would take young students as pupils and would then train them, not only academically but also socially, so that these young men would copy the lifestyle of the rabbis training them.  Such training is precisely what Paul is doing with Timothy. If the church is to grow, older believers must encourage and develop new leadership. Now Paul is mentoring Timothy. For the moment, Timothy remains in the Lystra area while Paul and Silas move on to other places.

A Call from Macedonia

6 Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. 7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. 8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

Psalm 37:23 tells us that “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Someone else has observed that not only are the STEPS of a good man ordered by the Lord but also the STOPS. It is as important that we not blunder off uselessly as it is that we follow God’s leading. Why does the Holy Spirit prevent Paul and Silas from entering Asia or Bythinia? We don’t know; however, God knows the situation in the two territories at that time. Perhaps there are local conflicts exploding, or drought and famine. Perhaps local politicians would force Paul and Silas to leave before they could even begin preaching. Perhaps weather conditions or armed bandits threaten their safety. All we know is that Paul and Silas are willing to go wherever God leads them and God is refusing to lead them to the Provinces of Asia or Bithynia. When Paul prays for guidance, none is forthcoming. It seems that Paul and Silas are stuck with no clear direction as to where to head next. But God always has a perfect plan, and He is about to reveal His will to Paul.

The Macedonian Call

9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Paul has a dream in which a man from Macedonia cries for help. Evidently, Paul knows this man is from Macedonia by his dress or his manner of speech or simply by the power of the Holy Spirit. At any rate, Paul is relieved, for obviously God is sending the ministry team to Macedonia. Notice something else as well: Paul doesn’t question the Lord or delay for further guidance. God has ordered Paul and Silas to go to Macedonia, so they are going, firm in the belief that more guidance will be given as they require it.

It’s a funny thing about divine guidance. The longer we move by the Holy Spirit, the less information we receive. As we mature in our walk with God, we trust Him more and more, realizing that if we were to know the entire plan from the beginning, we might try to fix it. This morning, I saw a mention of the Burnhams, a missionary family who thought they were simply going on a vacation in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the family was captured by Islamic militants. Gracia Burnham and her children were rescued; however, their husband and father was killed. Since then, Gracia has written about their ordeal, her testimony serving as an encouragement to many others suffering in various ways. Had this family known what was going to happen ahead of time, they would have remained in their area of ministry. But God did not warn them ahead of time; instead, He gave them the strength and courage and faith to endure.

God does not write Hallmark movie sagas. Sometimes very bad things happen to good people. Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered in their churches. Even a Christian evangelist in New York is now in hospital recovering from wounds received at the hands of angry attackers. So Paul and Silas get on a boat headed for Macedonia, unsure of what will happen, but secure in the belief that God is sending them there for His purposes.

May we all trust God, so that when He suddenly changes our directions, we will obey instantly without questioning or complaining.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust and obey, especially when we don’t understand what You are doing. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

If you study Barnabas’ character, you realize that he’s the kind of guy who was always restoring broken things and broken people. When Barnabas was a kid, he was probably the one who would pick up fledglings that had fallen from the nest and return them to their mothers. Barnabas is the one who went off to find Saul/Paul, bringing him to the church leaders in Jerusalem when everybody else was afraid to have anything to do with Paul. Paul owed Barnabas an immense amount, and this split must have been very painful. But Paul was raised as a Pharisee, and he still possessed a great deal of that unbending Pharisaic nature. When Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem, it’s possible that Barnabas sought out Mark and counseled with him. Perhaps upon reflection, Mark realized that he had made a dreadful mistake but was unable to find a way to resolve the problem. Now Barnabas came, bearing forgiveness and the possibility of restoration and new ministry. Mark would have been a fool to refuse such an invitation, particularly with Barnabas standing there smiling at him lovingly. When Barnabas brought Mark to Paul, he was quite hopeful that all would be well, relationships would be restored, and Paul and he could continue their travels with Mark accompanying them.

Until now, some of you familiar with Scripture might have been scratching your heads. “Paul and Barnabas?” you ask, “what about Paul and Silas? Where does Silas come in?” Remember when Paul and Barnabas were in Pamphylia and Mark left them to return to Jerusalem? Although Luke, writing the Book of Acts, says little about this split, evidently, Paul became disgusted with John Mark, feeling that he was a quitter, an untrustworthy weakling who would take off at the first time of trouble. Now Paul wants to return to the churches to see how they are faring; meanwhile, Barnabas insists Mark should come with them. Paul is furious! “Mark? John Mark? That ridiculous young man who deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Barnabas, what are you thinking? How can you even consider such a thing?”

We don’t know what Barnabas said in reply; however, the dispute became hot enough that Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus, Barnabas’ home area. Knowing that he needed someone, Paul recruited Silas, one of the elders from Jerusalem, and the two left for Syria and Cilicia.

Was this split between two spiritual giants God’s perfect will? Yes. We must remember that God knows our imperfections far better than we do and that He makes use of our mistakes as much as of the deeds we do properly. God knew from the foundations of the world that eventually Paul and Barnabas would split; however, now instead of one effective ministry team, there were two. And Mark, having once disappointed others, would be anxious to prove that he really was diligent and reliable and that he deserved to be considered faithful. Where previously, Mark was hesitating or remaining in the background, content to coast along while Paul and Barnabas did the heavy work of ministry, now Mark realized that he must prove himself. With Barnabas encouraging and nobody to criticize, Mark now had opportunities he had not previously considered. It was time for Mark to grow up, both as a believer and also as a minister.

Eventually, Mark matured to the point that he became a treasured companion of both Paul and Peter. Mark interviewed Peter before writing the Gospel that bears his name. The site learnreligions.com tells us, “Forgiveness is possible. So are second chances. Paul forgave Mark and gave him a chance to prove his worth. Peter was so taken with Mark, he considered him like a son. When we make a mistake in life, with God’s help we can recover and go on to achieve great things. https://www.learnreligions.com/john-mark-author-of-the-gospel-of-mark-701085

Let’s be honest, folks! None of us get things right all the time. We say wrong things or needlessly offend people. We jump to conclusions. We fail to do what we should and rush in heedlessly when we should be more circumspect. The work of the Kingdom of God goes on despite most of us rather than because of most of us. The amazing thing is that God refuses to give up on us and continues to allow us the blessing of being used. We use the wrong tools for the right purpose. If not for the grace of God, none of us would accomplish anything. But God in His infinite mercy does use us, forgiving us for our failures and pointing us forward. May we remember the lessons of Barnabas-look for the broken people and heal them, for you never know what they might accomplish in the future. And remember the lessons of Paul-don’t hold someone’s past failures against them, for people can change and grow in ways that only God knows. May we forgive ourselves, and others, for past failures and move forward into the bright future God has for all of us.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, realizing that You forgive and allow people second chances while we judge mercilessly. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 15:1-35 The Council at Jerusalem

15 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. 5 But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”

Few things are deadlier than feelings of racial superiority, and many of the Jews have firmly believed they are superior to all other races for centuries. After all, hasn’t God chosen the Israelites, plucking them out of Egypt and repeatedly rescuing them from far more powerful nations? Hasn’t God moved a pagan king, Cyrus, to order the restoration of the temple after it lay in ruins for 70 years? Surely, the Jews must be inherently holier than all other ethnic groups and therefore in line to control the new Jesus believers. And control is definitely a major issue here. While these members of the sect of the Pharisees haven’t been reaching out to preach the Gospel, they are more than willing to come along behind Paul and Barnabas, trying to impose restrictions so that they can maintain some level of power over new believers.

Just as all is going well and Gentiles are flocking into the kingdom through the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, small-minded men rush to demand that these male believers must be circumcised according to the Jewish religion, a religion that Paul and Barnabas have NOT been preaching. Never mind that God has graphically demonstrated to Peter that He has approved Gentiles such as Cornelius and his household by sovereignly baptizing them in the Holy Spirit without forcing them to be circumcised. The lust for power is a deadly failing, and these would-be leaders are determined to exert some form of control. These men have grasped just enough of Jesus’ teachings and his example to know that Jesus is the way to salvation; however, they know little or nothing about most of Jesus’ teachings, for Jesus never ever mentioned circumcision and was noted for eating with sinners who did not follow Jewish dietary rules.

6 So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8 God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers[b] with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: 16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles—all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken—18 he who made these things known so long ago.’

19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”

Ah, the voice of sweet reason in the midst of this maelstrom of legalistic verbiage. Notice that James uses Scripture to undergird his arguments, rather than criticizing these small-mended, would-be Judaizers. By quoting Scripture, James neatly avoids arguments that might descend into personal attacks, even though these men have likely been causing problems already. By referring to the laws of Moses that remain to be followed, James is subtly implying that the sect of the Pharisees is not totally wrong but that their position needs some minor adjustments. The most reasonable among the Pharisaic group begin nodding their heads sagely while others reluctantly agree, cheated of their opportunity to seize control. And now the council writes a letter that will be circulated throughout all the churches.

The Letter for Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 23 This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! 25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

32 Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. 33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

Someone has once sadly remarked that where two or more believers are gathered, they may instigate a church split. This story is remarkable in several respects, most notably for the respect and concern demonstrated by the church leaders in Jerusalem. No doubt, Peter and the other leaders have repeatedly encountered those belonging to the sect of the Pharisees as they have attempted to force the church to remain as some outpost of Judaism with a few tweaks. But Jesus himself taught that the new wine of the Gospel must not be put into the old dry wineskin of Judaism, for the new wine will ferment, expand, and burst the bounds of Judaism. That process is now taking place, as traditional Jews come to grips with the reality of the Gospel in all its implications for daily life. What is significant here is that the church does not split, but becomes more unified as leaders seek the will of God for their situation. God takes a situation that could have destroyed the fledgling church and uses it to make the church stronger and more unified. And strength and unification are critical, for very soon Christians will become a persecuted minority.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be loving, patient, and kind in dealing with those with whom we disagree, remembering that they might be right and we might be wrong. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

Acts 14:21-28 Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. 27 Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. 28 And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

Studying Paul’s missionary journeys can be confusing, so let’s look at an AI-generated summary of this first one. To understand the distance Paul covered during his first missionary journey, consider the following points:

• The journey spanned approximately 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers).
• It began in Antioch of Syria and included regions in Cyprus, Asia Minor, and parts of modern-day Turkey.
• Key cities visited included Salamis, Paphos, Perga, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
• The journey involved both land and sea travel, contributing to the total distance.
• Paul and his companions faced various challenges, including persecution and difficult terrain.
• The journey lasted about 1-2 years, showcasing extensive travel for the time.

Paul and Barnabas racked up a lot of mileage, especially considering the constraints on travel at that time. While Paul gets featured in the accounts, let’s look at Barnabas for a moment. If you have traveled very extensively, you know that a great travel companion can make all the difference. Few things are worse than being stuck with a complainer, someone who finds a cloud for every silver lining. And there are plenty of reasons for complaints as the two walk long distances, sail over rough seas, and travel into new places, never certain where they will spend the night or who will feed them. As a Levite, Barnabas fully understands the challenges of preserving the good parts of the Jewish heritage while proclaiming the Gospel to those without any Jewish background. Paul and Barnabas are breaking new ground, looking heavenward as they try to communicate the good news of new life in Jesus Christ to those from varied backgrounds.

While Paul is the “front man,” the main speaker, Barnabas is an integral part of the team, for he can come along behind Paul, discerning places where people are hung up on erroneous beliefs or false conclusions. Barnabas is one of those fellows who looks so happy that others become happy simply by looking at him. While Paul can preach fiery sermons, rebuking hypocritical Jewish religious leaders and pagan magicians, Barnabas comes in gently, learning the hurts and needs of hearers, explaining and clarifying. At no point does Barnabas ever appear to be jealous of Paul and his many academic accomplishments. Barnabas is obviously well educated; however, he is magnanimous, willing to allow Paul to take the lead while he quietly ministers to those in the back of the crowd who might be afraid to ask questions of Paul. Modern church workers would describe Barnabas as having a ministry of helps.

Look at the list of cities to which the ministry team returns: Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, Pisidia, Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. Realizing that this trip might be the only opportunity to found churches, the two take additional steps. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

What must the believers in Lystra have thought when Paul returned to them? If anybody had suffered for the Gospel, it was Paul, stoned and dragged out of the city while being left for dead. The images of that day would have burned their way into the minds of the believers in Lystra and all the surrounding towns. No sugar-coated promises would come from Paul, and this was vitally important because these people would later face intense persecution.

Finally, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria, the church that had first commissioned them to go to the Gentiles. Here they were able to report and then rest and remain for “a long time.” Ministry must flow both ways, and Paul and Barnabas are now being encouraged and strengthened by the very people to whom they first preached the Gospel.

One of the perpetual challenges in ministry is resting and regeneration. Sometimes believers feel that pastors or missionaries have some special source of energy and do not require times of renewal; yet, this is quite wrong. As I am writing these words, we have just arrived from Ghana and are struggling to finalize speaking schedules while catching up on sleep, getting haircuts, securing new phones/phone numbers, and shopping for items that are difficult to find in our small town in Ghana. We find ourselves falling asleep whenever something isn’t screaming for attention, and we can only pray that we will get sufficient rest to be able to go back and take up the work God has called us to do there. We were thrilled to be able to attend a prayer breakfast, something we normally don’t get to do where we live and work.

May God help each of us to rest and renewal in His timing.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to know when to work and when to rest. Give each of us friends and co-workers who will encourage us when we are tired and our enthusiasm is failing. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.