Acts 13-14. What is most urgent?
Robert Moffat (1795–1883) was a Scottish missionary to Southern Africa who spent most of his adult life in Southern Africa teaching about Jesus and serving the needs of the native peoples. He translated the Bible into the Sechuana language. He was also the father-in-law of the famous explorer and missionary David Livingstone and inspired many others to work for the Kingdom of God. When he returned to England he continued to inspire many into mission work. He famously said:
“We'll have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset to win them.”
This was obviously the thinking of the early church. There was an urgency to teach people about Jesus, who he is and what he had done for us. Paul and Barnabus are good examples of ordinary people who were clear about what really matters.
Cyprus
On their first missionary journey they first went to Cyprus, where Barnabus had property.
“When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.” Acts 13:5
They travelled the length of Cyprus until they came to Paphos in the west. The Proconsul, Sergius Paulus lived in that area and heard what Paul and Barb’s were doing:
“The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.” Acts 13:7
It was this teaching that most affected the Proconsul. When he saw temporary blindness afflict Elymas, an opponent of the gospel he became a Christian:
“When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.” Acts 13:12
Paul’s message was all about who Jesus is and what he came to achieve.
Pisidian Antioch
This small band of Jews then travelled to what is now Asia Minor, modern Turkey, and arrived in Pisidian Antioch. As usual they went to the synagogue and were there invited to encourage those present. They taught them from the Scriptures. Paul first build a bridge with his hearers by reiterating an overview of the Bible’s message, emphasising where it teaches that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David. He then tells them about Jesus:
“From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised.” Acts 13:23
He then described Jesus’ ministry, execution and his resurrection which was witnessed by many of his followers:
“They are now his witnesses to our people.” Acts 13:31
He went on to show them many passages in the Scriptures that support this claim that Jesus is God’s longed for Messiah:
“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’
God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,
‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’
So it is also stated elsewhere:
‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’
Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” Acts 13:32-37
Paul built a bridge with his hearers, then told them about Jesus, emphasising the facts of his death and resurrection and then showed how all this was prophesied in Scripture. This was to become the ‘modus operandi’ for all his life’s ministry. He was convinced that the message about Jesus was true and everyone needed to hear it as we all need to have our sins forgiven if we are to have an eternal future and not an awful fate:
““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. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” Acts 13:38-41
Our reaction to Jesus seals our eternal fate. We can know that this is God’s message to all humanity because of the evidence about Jesus and his resurrection and the many prophecies about him in Scripture.. There is also the subjective evidence that none of us live as we know we should have done. We are all guilty before God and we know it.
“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” Acts 13:44
They were told the facts about Jesus and how he is able to forgive our sins and put us right with God. As so often happened the Jewish authorities ‘were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying’. The Christians did not accept this attack quietly:
“Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 13:46-47
This message is much more than an option, it is both true and much needed. The response to the message amongst the non-Jews was remarkable:
“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.” Acts 13:48-49
The lesson is clear, those who accepted the Lordship of Jesus were those who had been appointed for eternal life. Those who rejected Jesus were not! This is the same teaching as that of John who wrote:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
The Jewish authorities again incited persecution so Paul and Barnabus were ‘expelled from their region’.
Iconium
When Paul and Barnabus arrived in Iconium they again went to the synagogue where they spoke about Jesus and why people must accept him:
“They spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.” Acts 14:1
However there was the usual reaction from the religious Jews who stirred up trouble for the Christians. However instead of intimidating the missionaries they invigorated them:
“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord . . .” Acts 14:3
Tensions increased but when a murder plot was discovered they again fled to there cities of Lystra and Derby. There are no prizes for guessing what they did there:
“They continued to preach the good news.” Acts 14:7
In Lystra they met a man who was paralysed from birth, perhaps he had a spina bifida deformity. He listened intently to what Paul was saying about Jesus. Paul felt led to ask the man to stand up and walk, something he had never done. When the man walked the crowd thought that Paul and Barnabus were the gods Zeus and Hermes. Paul reaction was to again explain who they were and why they had come:
“We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. . . Yet he has not left himself without testimony . . .” Acts 14:15-17
He then tells them what the evidence is. He starts by reminding them of the nature that God had made:
“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food . . .” Acts 14:17
The next piece of evidence is one we often forget:
“ . . . and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17
What a wonderful gift joy is. These Christians wanted to point the crowds to the Lord Jesus and away from themselves
However the opposition from the religious Jews increased and they turned the crowd who then stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking wrongly that he was dead. Again they felt it was right to move on to the city of Derby. Guess what they did there!
“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.” Acts 14:22
I spite of all the difficulties they had had, they then returned to the cities they had founded churches:
“ . . . strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” Acts 14:23
How are people encouraged? It is surely by teaching them about Jesus from the Word of God and all that he went through for each of us. Another part of their message was very realistic, both for then and for us today:
“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22
It has always been true that churches only grow when Christians speak up and tell others about Jesus. We must do this as graciously as possible but still be willing to face any opposition. The reason we must all be praying how best to pass on the good news about Jesus is because the story about Jesus is true, really true. He really is the Messiah foretold in the Jewish Scriptures, he really lived and was crucified to pay for our sin and he did rise again to prove his claim. We all have instincts that confirm the truth of what Jesus said. We have turned our backs on our creator and behaved in ways that are wrong. For anybody to refuse to accept him as our Saviour and Lord is a perilous situation to be in. The Scriptures are clear:
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
The word Christ isn’t just Jesus’ last name; it means Messiah or “anointed one.” As Christians (literally “little Christs”) we are called to continue Jesus work to persuade people to become members of God’s kingdom. Jesus called people out on their sin. He spoke uncomfortable and at times shocking truths about His Father’s kingdom. He also showed unusual compassion and mercy to sinners.
Paul was just a person that Jesus called to join his kingdom so he could be effective for him. This was what he determined to do because he was so aware of the life he had led before Christ called him. We are also called to be witnesses to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
BVP
