Acts 16:1-5 Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Paul, in his second missionary trip, sets out with Silas and he encounters a young man called Timothy who was well recommended by the brethren and he asks him to accompany him on the journey. Here is again the principle of working in triads with at least one of them being an apprentice. There is great value in having an apprentice to come along for the journey. During the first trip it was John Mark, who left them shortly after beginning.

An interesting fact about Timothy is that he was half Greek. Paul knew that taking an uncircumcised Greek along with him would make it very difficult for him to be heard by the Jews, so he decided to circumcise him. The reason Timothy's uncircumcision would be a hindrance is because the Jews knew his family. Though the Jerusalem Council voted against requiring Gentiles to circumcise, Paul does it anyway for Timothy. Here is a very important principle that Paul applied throughout his missionary career: He minimized even the possible stumbling blocks to the Gospel. What are the stumbling blocks in my way to share the Gospel with others? Am I willing to address them and get them out of the way?

The decisions made at the Jerusalem Council were communicated by Paul's team to the churches. It would be reasonable to assume that Barnabas' team would do the same. There is a unity among the churches in teaching directed by the apostles in Jerusalem. The Antioch Church is acting as a mother to the churches planted in the area, but the Council in Jerusalem is the definitive voice concerning doctrine. There are many similarities with our current denominational structure today. Denominational loyalties are important because they keep us accountable for sound doctrine.

The solidarity of the churches in doctrine kept them growing in numbers as well as in faith. Nothing is more important to the church than to have a solid doctrinal foundation upon which to build all other programs. How well do I know the foundational doctrines of my faith? How much time have I devoted to understand the teachings of Christ and the Apostles? My commitment to these teachings will determine my growth and strength in the faith.

Father, fill me with wisdom to understand the basic, foundational truths of the Gospel. Help me be a mentor to those around me who are younger and can carry the torch in the future. Teach me to overcome the obstacles to be able to communicate the Gospel of your kingdom. Amen.

Acts 15:1-11 The Jerusalem Council - Part I

One of the ploys the enemy uses to come against the Church is false teaching. Some men (Jews, of course) had come from Judea teaching that circumcision was a requirement for salvation and that Gentile believers needed to keep the Law of Moses to be part of the Church. Paul and Barnabas debated them, but it seemed to cause enough trouble to require a ruling on the matter. At this point we can see that the Jerusalem church acted as a "mother church" for the work that was taking root in the surrounding areas due to the fact that the Apostles were there. Paul and Barnabas were sent to consult them on this matter, but while they made their way to Jerusalem, they continued to testify what great things God had done among the Gentiles.

Apostles and elders gathered together to settle the matter through much debate. Peter relates to the brethren how God called him to preach to the Gentiles. He offers as proof of God's approval the giving of the Spirit to them just as he did to the Jews. God makes no distinctions. Salvation is by grace through faith and a requirement like this would only become a yoke (burden) to the new believers as it has been for the Jews all these years. Furthermore, Peter argues that such a requirement is to put God to the test sinning against him. It is important to understand that the Law referred to here has to do with circumcision, ceremonies and rituals, including kosher foods.

With the giving of any law, there are dangers that could be depicted as cliffs on both sides of a road. On the one hand, there is the danger of legalism. This is an excessive adherence to the letter of the law missing out on the spirit of the law. Rules and regulations are good, but when taken to extremes they snuff out the life it is supposed to protect in its adherents. Legalism makes adherence to the law a zealous compliance to form and rituals that becomes mechanical, devoid of fervor and passion and therefore, meaningless.

On the other hand, there is the danger of liberalism. This is a disregard for rules and regulations bordering on anarchy and producing chaos. In this view, rules and regulations are meant to be broken bringing freedom. Unfortunately, just like legalism, it enslaves its adherents to less than the law intended. The purpose of the law is to bring order and protect its followers from abuses. Without adherence to the law there is no order or safety. Liberalism produces in its followers an arrogant attitude against authority.

Salvation cannot be viewed as a bunch of dos and don'ts. The Jews were not able to comply with the Law and so it would be for the Gentiles also. No one can keep the Law! Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill the Law of God and promote justice so that all who trust in him can enjoy the benefits of eternal life. He took upon himself the penalty of our disobedience to comply with the Law and to be able to offer eternal life to all who dare trust in him. The Gospel does away with all the ceremonies and regulations, but it does not do away with the ten commandments - the Moral Law. We are still to strive to obey and please our God, but in grace it is not in our strength, but with God's help. "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Father, thank you for your Son who gave himself for me to make salvation by grace through faith possible. Teach me to obey your Law that I may please you. Guard my heart from the extremes of legalism and liberalism. Help me walk the straight path you have set out for me in your Word. Amen.

Acts 8:1-3 Saul Ravages the Church

Saul of Tarsus was a young man when he started persecuting the Church. He was a Hellenistic Jew who loved God and his Law. He perceived the Church, like most Jews of his time,  to be against God and his Law and for this reason, he went after them with all his might to try to eradicate them from the face of the earth. Stoning was the main method for execution. The Jews persecuted the Church out of zeal.

The Romans also persecuted the Church for totally different reasons. Religion, for the Romans, was polytheist and it promoted social unity. They were very tolerant of other religions and used it as a means to keep their empire together. When they conquered a people group, they would add their gods to their pantheon and give them Roman names. They could not tolerate Christianity because it made claims of exclusivity. To the Romans, this was a threat against society. If people believed in Christ exclusively, they would lose the "glue" of their society.

The first Roman persecution was under the reign of Nero (c.64-68 ad). Tacitus, a historian of the time, reported:
"Besides being put to death they [the Christians] were made to serve as objects of amusement; they were clad in the hides of beast and torn to death by dogs; others were crucified, others set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his grounds for the display, and was putting on a show in the circus, where he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or drove about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of pity, even toward men whose guilt merited the most exemplary punishment; for it was felt that they were being destroyed not for the public good but to satisfy the cruelty of an individual."


We can't forget that the persecution of the Church was predicted by Christ and it would be a sign of the end times. The Church is still under persecution - now more than ever. Much of the terrorism that we are experiencing today is somehow fueled by anti-Christian ideals. It is said that there have been more Christians martyred in the last century than in all the preceding centuries combined together. Here are some recent news concerning persecution: http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php


How will I react to persecution? I really don't know until I am there, but I pray that I will continue to stand strong in my faith and not crumble under its pressure. Persecution is a reminder that I don't belong to this world. It is an incentive to set my hope in Christ and look forward to his promise of a new kingdom upon the earth where peace and justice reign. Persecution, even reading about it, helps me put things in perspective very quickly. I am not going to pretend I understand persecution, but I most certainly pray that I be counted among the faithful if I have to face it.


Father, fill me with your Spirit to stand strong in my faith. May my hope always be in you and your promises of a new kingdom on earth. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are going through persecution right now. Please, strengthen them to remain faithful to you. Amen.