Tag: pray

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Acts: Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Read: Acts 20:13-38

Luke provides some details about Paul’s travels, from Philippi to Troas to Assos to Mitylene to Chios to Miletus. However, the emphasis of this section is on his ministry, in particular, his leadership style. At a time when there were no examples to lean on, Paul demonstrated how to be an effective evangelist and encourager. He embodied the fivefold ministry he taught in Ephesians 4. My prayer is that we dive into the text and learn from his example, to be imitators of Paul as he imitates Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1) in everything we do.  Let’s dive into the narrative before reflecting on this challenge.

Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Paul stops in Miletus, not far from Ephesus, because he needs to talk to the elders.

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. Acts 20:16

Paul asked the elders in Ephesus to come to him rather than he going to the city. The tone of his message is one that suggests this will be his last talk with them and he doesn’t want to have any distractions. He reminds them of his methods and like any good PowerPoint presentation, he has three main points (Acts 20:19-21):

  1. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
  2. I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
  3. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

I have to believe each of these points was expanded in great detail as he looked deeply into there eyes. They knew they were called here for a reason. The heavy mantle of moving the church forward was being placed on their shoulders.

I’ve heard lots of life verses from many people over the years. One of the schools our girls went to had the graduating class identify their life verse in the yearbook. I don’t think anyone ever chose this:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24

His actions backed up his statement. I pray that this would speak loudly to those who read these words, that Jesus would be our highest priority.

Savage Wolves

These encouraging words come with a visceral warning:

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Acts 20:29-31

Even from within the fellowship those will arise to divide the Church. Here’s the great challenge. When differences show up, and they will most certainly, are we those who distort the truth and draw people away? Or do we, in the spirit of unity, seek to resolve differences? These are just a few questions we must wrestle with as tensions rise. We are human. We will disagree. Lord, help us to test ourselves against this warning. May we stay far away from those who distort the truth to divide.

Paul closes by reminding them of words from Jesus:

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: red ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

Never forget this constant theme throughout the Bible: help those in need. If we truly have discerning eyes we would see many who are weak, our hearts would break, and I believe we would find joy in giving that satisfies the soul.

They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. Acts 20:37-38

Lord, I long for a fellowship that is this deeply committed to each other and to your great commission. Paul sets sail from here for the last time.

Evangelism and Encouragement

The commentary I refer to most often, NIVAC, makes an emphatic point that evangelism is coupled with encouragement.

In the Bible evangelism and encouragement are often done by the same person— a healthy combination for anyone doing evangelism. There is no place in the Bible for a specialist evangelist who concentrates solely on his public ministry, leaving personal ministry to others. NIVAC Note

Encouraging is more than merely cheering someone on. True encouragement comes from the heart and is most effective with someone in whom we have invested time with. In other words, we must be willing to develop real relationships with those we are in ministry with.

This is guaranteed to be a messy process. We will likely make mistakes. Tears and heartache are sure to follow, but consider the example of Jesus. Can you for a second imagine the pain He felt knowing that one of the Twelve would become the betrayer? When Jesus wept over Lazarus, the tears were not surprising to those who noticed. It was a statement of fact more than an observation of an anomaly.

My challenge is this, take a risk and commit to developing real friendships with people that are Christ-centered. Seek to be a disciple-maker that models Paul’s behavior. This is not the easy road, not the sit back and enjoy retirement phase. Rather, this is an invitation to heartache and great joy, to disappointing friends and deep relationships. Highs and lows, but I propose it is worth the effort.

 

NIVAC Note: Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 85960-85962). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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The Miracle of the Bible

As I was reading Acts 20, I couldn’t help but stop and wonder about Luke, the author, and the Bible itself. I don’t want to forget the human element that is part of the divine inspiration which we believe is the result of this thing we call the Bible. Luke is the author who is inspired by God to narrate the story for future generations. This is incredibly remarkable when you stop and think about it. His careful selection of events that included himself, as in this chapter, and others that he knew about provide a timeless narrative that gives us direction today. I would suggest this concept should be known as The Miracle of the Bible.

It’s a book that is beyond fascinating. It captures the imagination of generations before and after Jesus’s appearance on earth. It’s not meant to be idolized, put on a shelf and worshiped, or cherry-picked apart to support our individual positions for or against anything. It is, rather, an invitation to hear the voice of God in narrative form.

One analogy I’ve used recently is to suggest reading the Bible is like getting a phone call from a dear friend, perhaps your best friend. I hope you have someone in your life that is so significant to you that you would answer the phone at all hours of the day or night, allow them to interrupt meetings, or drop everything to help you out anytime.

Reading the Bible is like one of those calls. When the phone rings, flashes, or vibrates, I’m eager to answer it. Depending on circumstances, I might answer with some anxiety if I sense something is wrong. If it rings at 2 am, I’m pretty sure something is amiss! There are many stories in the Bible that read like this. Stories of despair, anger, hostility, revolt, or just plain bad news. Other stories are exciting and encourage me to tell others.

This blog has been growing for some years now. What I’ve found is the more I read and write about what I’m learning, the more interesting the Bible becomes. Each time I learn something different. It might be a new angle or perhaps a gap was filled from some other source. Sometimes just doing life with another person exposes some Scripture that I seem to have missed in the past.

All I know is this: the more I read, the more I grow. The more I grow, the more I’m able to help others. Oddly enough, my definition of love has grown deeper. My patience for others is extended beyond my own understanding. My joy for hearing from God is difficult to explain. I’m not anywhere close to being done, but I have a peace in my heart that is there to share with others. I pray that I’m becoming kinder and gentler, but I have a lot of work to do in this regard.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It’s not good enough for me to be encouraged or uplifted by God’s Word in the Bible. It’s only useful if it is shared with others. Dig deep, my friends. Find the treasure that’s buried within the inspired Word of God for all people and for all time. It’s amazing! It is The Miracle of the Bible.

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Acts: Seven Sons of Sceva and Riot in Ephesus

Read: Acts 19:8-41

Two contrasting stories are recorded by Luke in this passage. In the first, God does amazing work through Paul which bolsters believers but unfortunately encourages copycat ministries. The improper reaction of a few doesn’t go well, but God uses the Seven Sons of Sceva for good and the church grows. The second story involves a riot in Ephesus that was ultimately quelled by the city clerk. One of the key quotes in this story is found in verse 32, “Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” Over 2,000 years ago it seems that our modern, civilized world hasn’t changed much. Listen carefully to what the Spirit is whispering to your heart as you finish chapter 19. May God bless your reading today.

We continue reading stories that fit a recurring theme of: “some will, some won’t so move on.” There’s only so much energy that can be applied toward those who are so hardheaded and obstinate.

But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. Acts 19:9

While we should learn from this lesson, I pray we aren’t too hasty in our judgment. Luke provides only a few words here, but I believe Paul invested quite a bit of time in working with these people before deciding to leave them. We should not expect everyone to jump on board, we need to be patient.

Seven Sons of Sceva

Then there are these knuckleheads. Seeing the amazing work of the Spirit through Paul, they decide to go around and cast out demons using an indirect approach:

In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. Acts 19:13

Spiritual warfare is not a subject that is often taught, certainly not from the pulpit. People might think we’ve gone overboard, lost our minds, or simply left reality behind. Yet we know we are spiritual beings. Eternity is all around us, it is what we long for.

The sons found out the hard way when they were attempting to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus via Paul.

One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. Acts 19:15-16

Naked and bleeding, the ultimate shame, they run out into the streets. Holy ____ this is real! While the story is humorous, at least to me, the reaction is serious.

Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. Acts 19:18-19

The way of the Lord grew incredibly because of this rather bizarre event. People were shaken from their self-made gods to see the light that Jesus provides.

Riot in Ephesus

Ephesus is a big place. While one area experienced revival another is challenged. The uproar began when Demetrius, a prominent silversmith, addressed workers in his trade as well as other craftsmen in the area.

He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty. Acts 19:26-27

We might mock such behavior, but for these people, such words fueled an emotionally charged response that quickly grew. Luke says, “soon the whole city was in an uproar (Acts 19:29). I’m avoiding the temptation to suggest this like riots in our modern culture because it’s a bit of apples to oranges comparison, but perhaps it’s not so far off target. We’ve seen street interviews during riots where the people are unable to express the views of the organizers, they’re simply caught up in the spectacle.

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. Acts 19:32

Anger incites anger. It’s a vicious cycle that is completely destructive.

An unlikely hero emerges when the city clerk took charge of the assembly. Like other stories we’ve read, the voice of calm and reason wins out.

…you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. Acts 19:36

His argument is based in favor of their goddess, Artemis. He’s not actually speaking on behalf of the disciples or of Paul for preaching that their gods are not gods. Not at all. The clerk’s concern is politically motivated. The last thing he wants is to answer to Rome for a public disturbance! It’s better for him to point people to their court system for resolution and not act like fools.

His argument wins the day and the riot is quelled. This is not a recommendation to embrace the legal system for Christian arguments. I think this is more of an argument to work within the context where we are attempting to spread the Gospel. It’s a reminder to choose battles wisely and remain calm. While there is no guarantee of a calm resolution, the possibility outweighs the result of an uproar.

It’s not a clearcut lesson. I think that’s the point. As our ministry grows, expect opposition from the insiders as well as the outsiders. Lean on the Spirit for guidance. Use these examples to increase our wisdom.

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Acts: Paul at the Areopagus

Read: Acts 17:16-34

Luke sets the stage for the second half of Acts 17 by enunciating Paul’s heart for the lost. He’s probably pretty depressed following the events in Thessalonica and Berea where he was essentially chased out of town. He now finds himself in the heart of the Greek world, surrounded by those who are no doubt greatly influenced by philosophies created by great thinkers of their time. The scene at the Areopagus is one I’ve heard used in sermons many times. It’s a powerful lesson in evangelism that we need to learn from as we each seek to understand our part in reaching out to those who are far from Christ, even the ones who are intellectually gifted about us or seem to have life all figured out. It begins with the heart.

What Breaks Your Heart?

One of my frequent prayers is for my heart to break for that which breaks God’s heart. You’ve probably heard this idea in sermons, teaching, or in songs. It’s a persistent theme in the Bible that is demonstrated by God’s relentless pursuit of His people. Some say it’s His reckless love.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:16

I wonder if we can see the idols that surround us? Pray for discernment as you stop to consider those things which we have made with our hands or with our minds that compete for the center of our attention. Anything less than Christ in the center of our thoughts is competing for our attention and potentially something we idolize. Screwtape would be pleased.

In the Synagogue and Marketplace

As usual, Paul begins in the synagogue where he “reasons” with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks as well as the marketplace with those who happened to be there. Paul’s intellectual approach was interesting to some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (see NIV Study Bible Note below), those who considered themselves above everyone else. They must have been impressed with Paul’s method of argument, so they took him to the center of popular debate for the greatest of minds — the Areopagus.

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” Acts 17:19-20

Luke’s parenthetical remarks give us a clue about his opinion of these proceedings:

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Acts 17:21

Nothing But Talk

As I sit in the early morning to create these blog entries, I wonder how close I am to those who do nothing but thinking and talking rather than seeing and doing. I trust my brothers and sisters in Christ we keep me honest here. I don’t want to fall into the trap of these philosophers!

To An Unknown God

Paul continues to look for a way to reach out to these people, to take advantage of the position God has placed him. He looks around and sees an altar that gives him an idea:

I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. Acts 17:23

While his approach might seem brash, I think the philosophic elite appreciated the banter. By referring to this self-proclaimed elitest group as ignorant, Paul got their attention then summarized the creation story as he explained that there is one God who created all things for a purpose.

God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:27

Then there is a twist.

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30

And the final plunge:

He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:31

Many were going along with Paul until he got to this notion of resurrection. For some this was interesting, for others a bridge too far.

Divided Response

Some will hear, some will not. The difference between these two groups is for the Holy Spirit to decide, but it is our responsibility to meet people where they are, to approach them from a point of mutual respect, then deliver the gospel message clearly and accurately. From this point, we continue the conversation with those who are moved while leaving the others in a place where someone else might be better suited to address concerns.

The key is not to burn bridges, as much as possible, while not diluting the gospel message. This is not easily done by man but is the work of the Spirit within us. As we learn to discern the voice of the Spirit within each of us, I believe we will continue to become more effective at reaching those in the Areopagus of today, wherever that is and whatever that looks like.

In the world of apologetics, we know that few hearts are moved by intellectual debate, yet some are. As William Lane Craig proposes in his book, Reasonable Faith, when we are able to help move someone renowned as highly intelligent, e.g., doctor, lawyer, or scientist, we are able to affect many others just because of their position in society.

As I wrap up this post let me draw your attention to the opening phrase: “he was greatly distressed to see…” The motivation to seek and save the lost comes from a place of seeing what others do not see. If anyone saw someone drowning, I have no doubt they would do everything in their power to save the victim. That might look like a call to 9-1-1 or that might be jumping in the water. It might be organizing a rescue party or speaking gently to the panicking person. It depends on the situation and the resources at hand.

Those who have received Christ have the Holy Spirit indwelling within. We have the answers. The challenge is to figure out how to hear His voice within as we do the ministry He has laid before us each and every day.

I pray for discernment, that you and I would see that which the world does not. I pray we will see those who are lost among us, regardless of their temporary social status. And more, I pray we will be burdened to do something about what we see. You’re not alone in this battle. There are many who pray this prayer.

 

NIV Study Bible Note on Acts 17:18: Epicurean . . . philosophers. Originally they taught that the supreme good is happiness—but not mere momentary pleasure or temporary gratification. By Paul’s time, however, this philosophy had degenerated into a more sensual system of thought. Stoic philosophers. They taught that people should live in accord with nature, recognize their own self-sufficiency and independence and suppress their desires. At its best, Stoicism had some admirable qualities, but, like Epicureanism, by Paul’s time, it had degenerated into a system of pride.

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Acts: Thessalonica and Berea

Read: Acts 17:1-15

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and others continue their missionary journey to Thessalonica and Berea. In typical fashion, they start at the local synagogues as they reach out to those who are willing to discuss the gospel message they have come to proclaim. Some Jews in Thessalonica become outraged and create a riot there, then follow them to Berea to continue to stir up trouble. It’s not a great scene, but even in all the mess, solid churches are planted and the church continues to grow. The challenge from this message is applicable today as we seek to carry out the great commission of making disciples from those who are far from Christ.

In Thessalonica

It’s interesting to note that Paul’s habit is to start by visiting synagogues as he travels about.

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, Acts 17:2

When we read Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, we get the idea that he stayed there for quite some time…a lot more than three weeks as the passage above could imply. On these three particular Sabbath days, Paul reasoned with those in attendance based on the very scriptures they probably knew quite well.

Good and Bad News

All heard the same message. Paul reasoned with them on an intellectual level with no indication of a condescending tone. Yet the result was a divided response:

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. Acts 17:4-5

The contrast is stark. How is it that some prominent people heard the explanation and are moved to submission while others respond by creating a riot? The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the word is sharper than a double-edged sword,  it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

Biblical preaching can cause division, even when we preach unity. This is quite the challenge for us today. The reaction of some of the Jews in the story is one of outright anger. They sought to find Paul, but he was nowhere to be found so:

they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials Acts 17:6

Jason was being a good host. Suddenly his newfound faith is tested without warning along with others who have just become Christ followers. I suspect Paul warned Jason and the new believers of this very real possibility. Their reaction to abduction is honorable and their release was apparently secured quickly, but not without pain and humiliation. Being dragged to court in your hometown is nothing less than degrading.

When we talk to non-believers about becoming Christians do we suggest it’s easy? Just say this prayer and it’s all good. Or do we warn them that the cost of discipleship is high, that you may find yourself rejected by friends and family? The last thing we should be offering is anything that looks like cheap grace. Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, comes to mind. Lord, let us not be a people that suggest there You offer cheap grace.

In Berea

The riot in Thessalonica propels Paul to move on to Berea. Here we find some who are serious about searching Scripture for answers. Paul finds kindred spirits in Berea.

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Acts 17:11-12

It’s always encouraging to find those of like mind. While we’re called to seek the lost, finding the few who hear the message is incredibly refreshing. Like a soothing balm, Paul is received well and many become Christ followers.

But the story isn’t over yet. Some of the Jews from Thessalonica found Paul in Berea and took it upon themselves to stir up trouble there as well.

some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea Acts 17:13-14

They just couldn’t keep from stirring up trouble!

Expect Trouble

The gospel of Jesus Christ is by its very nature counter-cultural. It stands in the face of what the world sees as good and worthwhile. It should cause trouble! I’m not advocating riots, nor should we take any pride in arguing for the sake of an argument, but we must not be surprised when logical, well-intended discussion turns to anger and resentment.

I’ve watched many, in the name of evangelism, provoke people with their form of the gospel message that puts me on edge. In their zealousness, they probably turned more people away than those who continued to listen. I am being judgmental when I say that they took pride in winning converts at the expense of those who were offended, just like the Jews in Thessalonica that stirred up riots. Their attempt to be like Paul was interpreted as being offensive enough to cause trouble. I don’t think that’s the message Luke is telling us here.

It’s not my aim to cause trouble, but I should not be surprised when my good intentions create issues. The question boils down to one of motivation. Am I trying to focus on myself or am I really working to persuade with biblical arguments?

This should come as no surprise. Jesus warned us:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Lord, help us to preach and teach Your word with You as the center of all discussion. Holy Spirit, give us the right words to say and tell us when to lower our volume all the way down to zero, to know when to shut up and when to keep on going.

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Acts: Paul and Silas in Prison

Read: Acts 16:16-40

Luke recalls the story of Paul and Silas being beaten and imprisoned while they were ministering to the people of Philippi, a Roman colony. They encountered a fortuneteller that began following them around shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (Acts 16:17). While this was accurate, Paul became annoyed by her presence and rebuked the spirit that allowed her to see the future. This didn’t go well with her owners, to say the least. Of the team,  Paul and Silas are identified as the leaders and were stripped, beaten, and put in prison for taking the fortuneteller’s means of income where something marvelous happened: the jailer and his entire household are baptized!

Place of Prayer

A subtle piece of this story slipped by me the first few times I read it. When we back up to verse 11 we read that the team is looking for a place of prayer. The passage this morning begins with the team heading to the place of prayer. Apparently, they found a place that was suited for prayer, a place to worship, as they began their day.

I don’t know about you, my prayer list continues to grow. I’m convinced that prayer is vital to our continued growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Richard Foster’s book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, does a great job of covering the subject. The subtitle emphasizes his point that our hearts are home when we pray.

Find your place of prayer and pray together often, as a team. Don’t do ministry alone. Don’t just pray alone. The battle we fight is unseen by most. I can’t wait to get our team together to pray!

Paul Rebukes a Spirit

As the team is preaching and teaching in the city, a woman who is possessed by a spirit that allows her to tell the future met the team. This spirit is translated as a demon in some cases. Suffice it to say, it was not from the Spirit of God. Spiritual warfare is very real and very difficult to explain to those who do not know Christ. Well, it’s pretty hard to explain for those who are Christ followers, but we simply can’t deny its existence.

The woman follows the team shouting that these are men of God. My guess is her method of announcing the reality of their mission was distracting, to say the least. Paul looks like Peter at this moment:

Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. Acts 16:18

As Ben Eaves alluded to yesterday, we see the humanity of Paul here as well. He’s annoyed at this person. We don’t blame him, but I have to believe Luke used that particular word for a reason. She was becoming the center of attention through her actions. Something had to be done!

With the demon gone, her ability to tell the future left as well. No more income through this source! The owners are beyond unhappy. Their source of wealth just ran dry. They invented charges and had Paul and Silas brought before the magistrates with the complaint that they were “advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:21). We don’t read a lot of details here, but the magistrates and owners must have some relationship because they wasted no time in having them thrown in jail.

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:23-24

For some reason, Paul and Silas don’t mention that “us Romans” included themselves until a bit later in the story. Perhaps they weren’t allowed to speak. Whatever the case, being stripped and severely flogged is not a minor response. This had to be demoralizing and discouraging, to say the least.

Praying and Singing

Thrown in the worst part of an ancient prison, what would you do? Pray and sing, of course! The song and the Spirit were compelling. Paul and Silas led the chorus. An earthquake shook the prison, broke the doors and loosed everyone’s chains, but Paul took charge and kept everyone calm. The jailer was fully aware that Paul and Silas were men of God. The earthquake confirmed any doubts.

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:29-31

Wasting no time, the jailer and his entire household profess their belief in Jesus and are baptized. The jailer washes their wounds and invites them to eat a meal prepared in their honor. What a wonderful scene!

Public Apology

Paul’s insightful leadership is shown in his reaction to the Magistrates’ change of heart. They want to simply dismiss the charges and have Paul and Silas released quietly:

But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” Acts 16:37

While this might seem arrogant, Paul is setting a precedent for other missionaries traveling throughout the Roman empire. You can’t beat people for no reason. Even Magistrates are accountable to someone.

Paul’s argument is irrefutable, especially when they learned he was truly a Roman citizen. They came and escorted them out of prison–an otherwise humiliating process. While this was significant, the conversion of the jailer and his entire household was more important.

Wounds heal with time. Bruises and scars for the sake of the gospel are not the centers of attention. We see little emphasis on the pain. The joy of winning souls for Christ far outweighs the suffering that led to hearts being changed.

After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left. Acts 16:40

Reunited with their team, everyone celebrates the victory for Christ. The unity found is the brief statement above is significant. Brothers and sisters encouraged them. United for a purpose, committed to the cause, the gospel is preached and eternity is changed for many.

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Acts: The Church Grows through Timothy and Lydia

Read: Acts 16:1-15

Chapter 15 ended with Paul and Barnabas on two separate teams. The division was no doubt challenging, but in hindsight, we see the gospel spreading even more. Barnabas and Mark set sail for Cyprus while Paul and Silas traveled through Syria and Cilicia. Having received the decision from the church council in Jerusalem and the blessing from the commendation of the believers in Antioch, Paul’s missionary journeys come into focus.

In this section, we see the church grow through two unlikely disciples: Timothy and Lydia. I suggest they were unlikely candidates because Timothy is young and has parents whose house has divided beliefs and Lydia is part of a group of business-women that gathered to hear Paul’s message. We’ll take a look at these “issues” briefly in this post as we watch the early church grow.

One other twist in the story is evident at this point. Notice the language starts with “they” traveled and preached to “we got ready,” “we put out to sea,” “we traveled,” etc. This shift in Luke’s writing invites us to join in the story. I hope you’ll get lost in the journey as we read about Timothy and Lydia this morning.

Timothy

As Paul and Silas traveled to Lystra, they met a young disciple named Timothy. Timothy was half-Jewish and relatively young.

[Timothy’s] …mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. Acts 16:1

Two strikes against Timothy, youth and mixed heritage, should have diminished his ability to led the church, but all things are possible through Christ. While people might focus on weaknesses, God focuses on strengths and the Spirit can eliminate any gaps for those who simply have faith.

Though young, he plays a prominent role as a pastoral and apostolic figure in the early church. Timothy spent time in Thessalonica, Corinth, and eventually Ephesus. We’ll eventually read two of Paul’s letters that were written to Timothy in First and Second Timothy.

Circumcision or Not?

In these first verses of Acts 16, we learn a little of Timothy’s background and by verse three, something startling takes place.

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Acts 16:3

Remember the debate in chapter 15? Those who wanted to force people to become Jewish first, notably the requirement of circumcision, led to the council in Jerusalem. It seems that this debate was put to rest with James’ decree, but Paul’s humanity is revealed as he succumbs to pressure from the Jewish community. A man who seems as bold and fearless as Paul was still susceptible to the fear of man. At this moment, it seems that Paul feared the opinion of the Jews more than he cherished his and Timothy’s liberty in Christ. A painful decision for Timothy!

By the time Paul writes to the Galatians, we see his stance has radically changed. He spends a great deal of the letter defending the faith against the Judaizers who sought to compel the new believers to submit to circumcision. Even Peter and Barnabas were carried away, “fearing the party of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12).

Lydia

A crazy thing happened as the team looked for a place to pray: they found a group of women and decided to speak to them.

We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. Acts 16:13

They’re taking a huge risk by talking to women as a group. The Spirit is not limited by barriers erected by men! Paul’s preaching is provocative and stirs their hearts, and in particular, the heart of Lydia.

She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:14

She was baptized without delay, along with her entire household and perhaps her entire company of linen makers.

What Are You Afraid Of?

The fear of man can cause even the boldest of believers to do strange and foolish things. How do we overcome fear and the fear of man?

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Fixing our focus on the love of Jesus leaves no room for the fear of men or their opinions. When your heart is ravished by His affections it drives out our insecurities and fear. When our affections are fixed on him, all problems become microscopic in light of the greatness of God.

The Church Continues to Grow

Luke joined those traveling on their missionary journey throughout the region. The unlikely characters of Timothy and Lydia turn out to be those chosen by the Spirit to lead a movement among people they could relate to. Households divided by beliefs can be united in Christ. Women who were not allowed to sit and learn in the synagogues were taught and led to Christ.

Jesus, the friend of sinners, taught us to go out into the world to proclaim the great news to everyone. I pray we’ll do this without fear and without prejudice. There is much work to be done. Go with the knowledge and faith that the Spirit is with you — always.

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Acts: Peter, James, Barnabas, and Paul Destroy Barriers

Read: Acts 15:1-35

Acts 15 is a wonderful example of how the early church handled difficult issues. One of the key points for us to learn is their relentless search for unity. We read phrases like, “sharp dispute and debate” and “much discussion” to highlight the struggle. There is no doubt these intense conversations were covered with prayer and fasting to reach a decision. No power plays. No over-zealous leader charismatically controlling the crowd. Unity of spirit. Takes longer, more painful, sleepless nights, etc., but the result is a unified church. Amazing.

The Debate

Some unnamed group began teaching that you have to be circumcised before you can be saved. While this was no doubt steeped in tradition and probably with good intentions, Jesus did not require circumcision. This was a very big deal in those days.

This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. Acts 15:2

These people came from Judea, the origin of Judaism, to push an agenda on a non-Jewish culture. Paul and Barnabas locked arms and fought against this idea. Most of this chapter unpacks the process they went through.

Paul and Barnabas, along with other believers, took the long trip to Jerusalem to put this issue before the apostles and elders of the church. As they traveled they told stories of Gentiles being converted. This might have been their way of practicing for the debate that was expected. The stories were well received, as we would expect, but there was no guarantee that they would receive a warm welcome in the heart of the Jewish cultural center.

It’s interesting to see that the church was getting seriously organized. Beyond the apostles named by Jesus, there are elders helping to manage affairs of the church. Given the number of people being saved every day, it seems they’re applying principals of Exodus 18 to the early church.

The Council

The apostles and elders welcomed Paul, Barnabas, and the believers who traveled a great distance to bring this debate to light. Let’s begin:

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5

Peter is the first to address this assertion. He reminded them (perhaps it was news to some) how God called himself to preach to the Gentiles and how they received the Holy Spirit (see: Cornelius and Peter Part 1 and Part 2).

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. Acts 15:8

Further, and significantly:

Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. Acts 15:10-11

This is huge! Testing God is not something anyone should attempt. This phrase would have cut the historical Jews to the bone. The reference to the “yoke” here emphasizes what Jesus taught the apostles firsthand (see: Matthew 11:29-30). Peter’s conclusion that we are all saved by grace — and this is sufficient. There are no other requirements.

The council was speechless. To support Peter, Barnabas and Paul provided many examples of God’s work among the Gentiles.

James, the brother of Jesus, takes the stage next.

“Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this Acts 15:13-15

The fact that James holds a prominent position in Jerusalem is significant. He decides what will be done. I can’t wait to explore James’ conversion, but we’ll have to explore that at another time. For the moment, remember that though he grew up with his brother the Messiah, he was not quick to believe in Jesus!

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Acts 15:19

James provides a solution that’s amicable to all in attendance. I think it’s important to note that this was not a foregone conclusion. There was not political positioning. They were truly wrestling with a difficult question. God had set apart the Hebrews way back in the days of Abraham. Moses reminded everyone of just how special the Jewish people were to God. They were to be set apart for the world to see. It was difficult to let go of this “selected” status and accept that others were eligible to be chosen.

They agree to adopt three requirements that would reduce the tension between Jew and Gentile (Acts 15:20, 29):

  • abstain from food polluted by idols,
  • from sexual immorality,
  • from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

The letter included this caveat:

You will do well to avoid these things. Acts 15:29

Letter Delivered

The entire church gathered to hear how the letter sent by the church headquarters (my wording) and the letter was well received back in Antioch.

Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. Acts 15:35

Teaching and preaching matters. It’s not the only thing, but it is important to consistently study the word of the Lord and hear what God is saying through those who are anointed to preach His message. It’s a complete meal. Discipleship and evangelism are all wrapped up in relationships completely immersed in love and pointed at God the Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus. This is how to grow His church.

The Lesson

The Problem was solved without bloodshed, without dividing the church, and on terms that helped spread the gospel even more. The church was strengthened through the debate. This is not a call to be contentious, rather, it’s a call to pray and fast to work out differences. I truly pray we are able to do this in every context: home, church, work, school, etc. The prize is worth the struggle.

 

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Acts: Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe — Paul Stoned

Read: Acts 14

Paul and Barnabas continue their travels through the Gentile world of their day. They had some success, but a lot of resistance in Iconium, so they kept going to Lystra and Derbe where great confusion stirred anger and the people stoned Paul, presumably to death. Surrounded by believers, Paul continues his ministry and they eventually return to Antioch to tell the sending church about all they have learned and experienced.

Iconium

It’s interesting to see that both Jews and Greeks are somehow gathered in the synagogue to hear the message Paul brings (Acts 14:1) and encouraging that many heard and believed. Of course, not everyone appreciates Paul’s sermon. He has not come to preach against anyone, but he is preaching there is only one way to salvation. That doesn’t sit well with everyone. No surprise.

The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. Acts 14:4

I’m reminded of the passage in Hebrews that assures us that God’s word will divide:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Lystra and Derbe: Lame Man Healed

As Paul is preaching he notices one particular man is listening intently. This man was lame from birth, he had never walked. Paul discerned that he not only heard the message clearly, but he was moved to accepting Jesus. Looking directly at the man Paul tells him to “Stand up on your feet!” (Acts 14:10). The man is miraculously healed, he begins to walk!

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. Acts 14:11-12

Their rather confusing response led me on a journey to wonder how they would come to this strange conclusion. Why would they associate Paul and Barnabas with Greek gods? The NIVAC provides this insight:

The frenzied response of the Lystrans may be traced to an ancient legend retold by Ovid (43 B.C.– A.D. 17) in his Metamorphosis. Zeus and Hermes once visited the Phrygian hill country disguised as ordinary men. They were turned away from a thousand homes where they sought lodging, but were finally taken in by an elderly couple into their humble home. The gods turned that house into a temple and destroyed all the houses that had rejected them. See NIVAC Reference

You’re welcome to read Metamorphosis here. It’s pretty long and the parts I read are so steeped in mythology that I must admit, I didn’t read it all. I make no claim to any knowledge of Greek Mythology. Ovid was a popular author during that time and given their incredible reaction, his writing must have had a profound effect on these people.

It’s apparent that Paul doesn’t understand the Lycaonian language, but once he and Barnabas see what the people are doing they tear their robes and beg them to listen.

Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God Acts 14:15

It’s a scene of incredible chaos. Confusion leads to revolt fueled by those who disagree with Paul’s message.

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. Acts 14:19

Crowds are easily swayed, they feed on the negative press and swell to heights of irrational behavior quickly. We’ve seen this in the streets of our own country in recent history. Has nothing changed? We are so modern, yet not so different than those we read about here.

Paul was not dead yet! The disciples gathered around him and he got up and returned to the city, not to confront the crowds or continue the debate, rather, he returned to encourage those who believed and help them get organized.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23

When is the last time you watched someone get stoned, dragged out of the city, then have him walk back in to encourage you? Luke doesn’t dwell on this aspect. He merely reports that Paul got up and when back to work. Crazy!

Missionary Report #1

Paul and Barnabas gathered the church in Antioch and provide their mission report.

they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27

I can hardly imagine the scene as Paul and Barnabas recount the stories, the ups and downs, success and failure, all as the cause of Christ continues to grow. Have faith my friends. Lives are being changed.

And So…

As my friend Tony Jeck would say, “and so” we should ponder these things, seek to understand what we should do with this story. One thing I don’t want to miss is discerning when to stay and when to leave. The first encounter in Iconium was met with great resistance, so even though they spoke boldly, they chose to leave, to move on.

The next encounter must have caught them a bit off guard because they didn’t leave there in time, Paul was stoned. God was not done with Paul yet, but that is no guarantee for us to lean on. My father, among many great people, wisely counseled me to choose my battles carefully. Know when to stay and fight. Know when to leave.

For those who are actually listening, the gospel message is revolutionary, it is unsettling, it shakes the foundation of humanism, and runs counter to every other religion on the planet. This will create friction. Our responsibility is not to shove it in the face of all we meet, but to deliver the message with firm kindness.

Wisdom and discernment are key. Every church needs an actively engaged leadership team or group of elders supported by an effective prayer team to combat forces that would otherwise have us fail. My prayer is for every church to have these foundational teams supporting the leaders God has appointed so they can succeed in spreading the gospel.

…we can afford to suffer now; we’ll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves. And our enjoyment will be valid and pure, for it will come in the right way at the right time. A.W. Tozer essay, Joy Will Come In Its Own Time

 

NIVAC Reference: Wilkins, Michael J.; Garland, David E.; Bock, Darrell L.; Burge, Gary M.; Fernando, Ajith. NIVAC Bundle 6: Gospels, Acts (The NIV Application Commentary) (Kindle Locations 83034-83038). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

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Acts: Excitement in Pisidian Antioch

Read: Acts 13:13-52

Paul takes center stage now. It’s exciting to see how God has transformed his life in a relatively short period of time, but don’t miss the fact that time was invested. Yes, Paul’s transformation is remarkable, but it took some years of dirty sandals, face-to-face conversations, actual hands-on ministry to completely shape his complete understanding of the gospel message we will hear him preach from this point forward. We can’t skip this step!

One of the phrases I’m working hard to erase from my vocabulary is “spending time” on _______. I’m not spending time, you’re not spending time, you are investing time. Check yourself when you say, “I spent yesterday doing…” We need to be incredibly wise stewards of the one resource we all have in common: time.

Off the soapbox, Dave, write the blog!

The events in Antioch of Pisidia are nothing short of amazing. To begin with we see a group gathered in a synagogue on the Sabbath as expected. They read from the scrolls from Moses and the Prophets, then hand the mic to Paul with an open invitation to preach:

if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak. Acts 13:15

In verses 17 through 26 Paul summarizes what we call the Old Testament in a mere sixty seconds, highlighting key events that shaped and led John the Baptist to preach repentance and set the stage for Jesus. Those in attendance are now eager to hear what Paul has to say because he demonstrated intimate concern for their background, the difficult road that they had traversed, and the history that shaped who they are as a people.

Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. Acts 13:26

Notice Paul includes the “God-fearing Gentiles” in his sermon. Apparently, this was a multicultural gathering, something that could not have been common at that time. Paul is inclusive in a day and age that was not. Sound familiar?

Paul brought it right back to them, somewhat indirect, but the arrow is pointed directly at their hearts:

The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Acts 13:27

Right here, in the synagogue, we just read from the Law and the Prophets, but they didn’t recognize that which they were waiting for all these years. They had developed the habit of coming to the synagogue and listening without hearing, seeing with blind eyes.

Nominal Christians. I came across this term quite some time ago while taking a class on Perspectives. It really didn’t profoundly impact me as it should have. This is our wake up call, a time to move from wearing a title of Christian to being Christ-like.

Paul continues to cite psalms and the prophets as he draws the conclusion that we all know so well.

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39

His words are kind, yet powerful. Direct, yet considerate. We have now heard the gospel, it is time to respond. Paul does not leave them without a warning. Unafraid he gives them one last nudge to respond to the gospel. The result: people are stirred to action. They want to hear more, learn what they’ve missed.

The weekly gathering comes to a close with much anticipation about the following week. People went home, back to work, their lives were changed, but they didn’t sell everything to follow Paul. My belief is this would have been less effective. I think they went home and told their friends, their neighbors, their relatives about what they had learned. They evangelized without knowing they were evangelists.

The Result

Here’s an amazing statement, don’t miss this:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:44

The WHOLE CITY gathered! Seriously! This IS possible even today. With our fingers on keyboards, smartphones, tablets, digital media provides a vehicle that can, in fact, reach an entire city at one time. Crazy!

The religious right begins to make accusations, as expected. Their ivory towers are threatened and they respond as they have been responding since John the Baptist preached repentance.

It’s interesting, even humorous, that the Jewish leaders incite the women (and the men) to stir up persecution.

But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. Acts 13:50

In an age where women were considered property, they attempted to use them to discredit the gospel message. The disciples shook the dust off of their sandals in their direction and moved on to continue their mission.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

This is such an amazing story, a time of great enthusiasm. There are stories like this being told this month, this year, in this decade. I absolutely believe that when the gospel is preached with this power, lives will be changed.

It takes all kinds of people to fulfill the mission: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers — each performing their role with excellence. I pray we will pray for discernment and understanding of how we each play a part in this incredible journey.

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