Acts 13:4-12 Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

This is the beginning of the first missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul. From Antioch they go to Seleucia which is on the coast of the Mediterranean and from there they sail to the island of Cyprus. Arriving at Salamis on the east coast, they travel across the island to the west, all the way to Paphos. Why did they choose this path? I am certain that the Holy Spirit was guiding them in their journey as they prayed to him for direction. Also, we can see the commitment to spread the Gospel systematically across the region as they make their way through. Am I committed to spread the Gospel?

It is worth noting that what we call missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul is really a trip to the surrounding regions of Antioch and not so much a voyage to the unknown places of the world where language and cultural training was required. The Church began its outreach to the areas that were at its reach first. The Church took responsibility for missions. Am I committed to share the Gospel in a systematic way in our region? Am I willing to view missions as going to the surrounding regions of the church and not just going "overseas?"

Barnabas and Saul began their missionary journey doing what they knew how to do. They proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to the Jews in their synagogues. How did they react to opposition? Here we have the example of Bar-Jesus or Elymas. He was a magician - remember that magicians are not illusionists; they are more like spiritists. He also opposed the preaching of Paul trying to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was seeking to hear the Gospel, away from the faith. Paul confronted the man and brought a curse upon him to be blinded for a time. He accused him of "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord." This confrontation brought Sergius Paulus to believe the Word of God.

As I attempt to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, I will encounter opposition to the spread of the Word of God. It is important to identify the things that hinder the preaching of the Gospel and address them head on. In Paul's case it was a confrontation of powers, the Gospel vs Elymas' magic. Paul brings a curse upon him to demonstrate that magic is no match for the power of the Gospel. What are the things that oppose the Gospel in my neighborhood? How can I confront and disarm them? Am I truly committed to see the Word of God spread no matter the cost?

Father, guide me to share the good news of the Gospel with those who need it. Fill me with your Spirit to confront the obstacles and false teachings that stand in my way to communicate the Gospel. Fill me with joy as I share the abundant life of the kingdom. Amen.

Acts 13:1-3 Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

The Church at Antioch had a great blessing to have prophets and teachers - at least five listed here! From that pool of workers, the Holy Spirit chose Saul and Barnabas for another work according to his calling. Throughout the New Testament, prophet and teacher are offices of great respect. Paul himself wrote later on that we should procure the best gifts, among them prophecy. Teaching and prophesying are highly regarded because through them the Word of God is explained for the conversion of souls and the edification of the church. A healthy church should institute ways to build up new prophets and teachers.

It is worth noting from the list of teachers and prophets that Antioch was a multi-ethnic church and not bound by partiality. Saul and Barnabas were Jews; Simeon and Lucius were black people from North Africa; and Manaen seemed to be well connected with the upper class in Rome. All of them worshiped together and worked together for the kingdom of God. The Church must be free from partiality and become an open community of Christ to make an impact in the world. Though there were many tendencies to separate Jew from Gentile and Greek from Roman due to socio-econo-political reasons, the Church fought against those tendencies to establish a Church that is united in its diversity.

Since the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, it makes only sense that the Church is constantly seeking him in worship, fasting, and prayer. These are the basic disciplines of the deeper life in Christ. If I am to grow as a Christian, I must learn to worship, fast and pray. Notice that it is not a personal spiritual practice in this context. The Church at Antioch was devoted to these spiritual disciplines as a congregation. I must learn to worship, fast, and pray with my brothers and sisters as a concerted effort to seek his direction for the whole church. The Holy Spirit speaks to his church in an environment of worship, fasting, and prayer. How devoted am I to these disciplines? Moreover, how committed am I to practice them in unity with my brothers and sisters in the church?

The sendoff of Saul and Barnabas was the result of a church committed to seek the guidance of the Spirit in worship, fasting, and prayer. The fact that there is an imposition of hands for this sendoff tells us that the elders of the church were behind it. It also tells us that there is a process by which workers are recognized to be sent out to the field; there is a hierarchy; there is order. The expansion of God's kingdom depends on our willingness to send workers out into the field. I have to shift from the "us four and no more" paradigm to an open-fisted one, willing to send workers to the field under the guidance and direction of the Spirit.

Acts 11:19-30 The Church in Antioch

Antioch is an exciting church plant and a great model to follow. Most of the believers in those days were preaching to Jews only, but a few began to witness to the Hellenists (Greeks) and they began to trust in the Lord. The word about these conversions came to the ears of the Apostles in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to check out what was going on. It is important to note the interest that the Apostles have to ensure the integrity of the preaching of the Gospel. Organization is a very important part of the kingdom of God and we would do well to pay attention to it. The movement in Antioch was at the "grass roots," but nonetheless the Apostles intervened to "supervise it." The Church is built on authority and hierarchies and we can't do away with them. Doing away with them produces chaos at most and a lack of doctrinal integrity at the least.

Barnabas was the emissary of choice because he was a good man, full of the Spirit and of faith. He was able to discern what the Spirit was doing among the people ("saw the grace of God") and rejoiced with them. He was also able to exhort or encourage the brethren "to remain faithful with steadfast purpose." Barnabas is an encourager. The work of the kingdom requires people who are able to encourage others to follow Christ with steadfast purpose. I want to be a Barnabas, an encourager of God's people! A man full of the Spirit and faith able to discern God's work among his people and able to celebrate with them. What keeps me down when I know deep down that I am an encourager?

Interestingly enough, encouragement is not enough and Barnabas was well aware of it. The church needs encouragement, but it is not enough to get it through the trials and tribulations of the day. The church needs strong teaching and Barnabas set out to find it in Saul. Saul was gifted to teach and he taught for over a year at Antioch. The Word of God is very essential for the growth of a church. Encouragement combined with solid Teaching is the winning combination to create an environment conducive to growth. Am I encouraging my brothers and sisters? Am I teaching God's Word to them?

The people from Antioch were the first ones to be called Christians. Without a doubt, the name people gave the early believers is evidence that the community was Christ-centered. The encouragement was done in the name of Christ and the teaching was about the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and return of Christ. Is my life Christ-centered? Is my teaching Christ-centered? Is my encouragement done in the name of Christ?

We can't miss the supernatural work of the Spirit through Agabus - a prophet who foretold a famine in those days. And we can't miss the gracious response in giving to aid the believers in distress. Here is the other element that a healthy church needs: belief and practice of the gifts of the Spirit. A supernatural outlook on life through the eyes of the Spirit. The power of the church is in the operation of the spiritual gifts. Am I taking for granted the gifts of the Spirit? Am I using them to the max? Or am I hiding them in the closet? A healthy church will have the elements of encouragement and solid teaching as well as the operation of the gifts of the Spirit.

Father, may Faith Alliance be a church like Antioch, filled with encouragement, strong teaching, and the gifts of the Spirit. Help me be an encourager and teacher open to the supernatural work you desire to do. May our leadership team offer the gifts you have bestowed for the building of your church and the honor of your glory. Amen.

Acts 9:26-31 Saul in Jerusalem

When Saul came back to Jerusalem, he had a hard time joining the disciples there because of his reputation as a persecutor and murderer of Christians. The disciples were afraid of him. They did not believe he was a believer  and treated him with suspicion. Assimilation into the church body depends completely on my attitude towards new people in the church. Many newcomers find it difficult to join because my attitude towards them is suspicious or cold even critical. Some apprehension is understandable if a famous murderer shows at the door, but it is unacceptable to alienate that person for it. Didn't Christ die for him also? Worse, many people are alienated, not because they are murderers, but because they are not like me; they don't belong to my clique; they don't have a share in my history.

Thank God for Barnabas! He took time to get to know Saul and he introduced Saul to the apostles explaining his conversion experience and his ministry experience in Damascus. If it weren't for Barnabas, Saul probably would have given up on the church in Jerusalem and moved somewhere else! I want to be a Barnabas, a person who is interested in the newcomers of the church willing to listen to their personal stories and willing to introduce them to the leaders in the church. We need many Barnabas types in the church today. I have to realize that I am an ambassador of Christ to the newcomers and their assimilation into church life depends on my attitude and actions towards them.

After getting to know Saul, the Jerusalem church allowed him to minister among and along side them. The church gained a worker for the kingdom! Unfortunately, the Hellenist Jews wanted to kill him. When the church learned of the plot to kill Saul, they worked together to protect him taking him to Caesarea (on foot) and sending him to Tarsus (a boat ride). The church went from suspicion to protection; from mistrust to love; from coldness to kindness. I should be kind to newcomers because I never know who is going to be the next devoted worker to the kingdom - the next apostle Paul! I should be kind to newcomers because ultimately, they are part of the family of God - or potential candidates. I must treat newcomers as prospects and not suspects. And once they are a part of the family, I should do everything possible to protect them from harm.

The church multiplied! How? They had peace. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding and comes through prayer. They were being built up through the preaching and teaching of the Word. They were walking in the fear of the Lord. Not a fear of judgment, but a reverent awe and devotion to God with great care to please him in all their ways. They were also walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. There was still persecution going on and suffering was part of the daily lives of the believers there, but they were not alone. They walked seeking the Holy Spirit's power to sustain them in the midst of their trials and tribulations. If I want to see the church multiply today, I must also seek God's peace through prayer; I must look into the Word to be built up; I must walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Spirit.

Father, help me see the importance of newcomers in the church. May I open my heart to them to get to know them and help connect them with the church body. I want to see your church multiply! Fill me with your peace, build me up with your Word, and teach me to walk in your fear and the comfort of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Acts 9:19b-25 Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues

After the amazing encounter that Saul had with the resurrected Christ, he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues. Jesus impacted his life so powerfully that he could not hold back from proclaiming him. He went directly to the synagogues to share Jesus. What has been the impact of Jesus upon my life? Am I willing to proclaim his name? or am I still hiding in the shadows afraid of what people may think of me? Paul did not care one bit what his own fellow Jews would think of him. All that mattered was to proclaim Jesus and it was a priority, not just an accident. Am I making the proclamation of Jesus a priority in my life?

His message was simple: "He is the Son of God." Referring to Jesus as the Christ, the promised one, the Messiah. Paul set out to prove that Jesus was the one the Jews were waiting for and he used the Scriptures to do so. He even confounded the Jews with his message, he amazed many with the power of his argument. It is not enough for me to believe that Jesus existed. It is not enough to believe that he was a good man, a healer who was concerned for the sick. It is not enough to believe that Jesus was a prophet with a powerful message and wisdom that no one could oppose. It is necessary that I believe and proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, God among us, the Christ who died for my sins, resurrected from the dead, and now at the right hand of the Father.

Saul's conversion and message is one of the most powerful evidences of our Christian faith even today.  How do you explain the change of heart of a man who was learned in the Law and was set against the Church willing to kill Christians to defend his beliefs and spare the world from such heresies? How do explain the behavior of a man willing to risk his status and reputation among his fellow Jews to the point of risking his own life? The transformation of a man like this is due to the power of the Gospel, the reality of an encounter with Christ himself. There is no other way to explain it.  Jesus Christ touched Saul's life and changed it forever!

The Jews were amazed and confounded by Saul's conversion and preaching, but still they plotted against his life. The man who went to Damascus with authority to capture and drag Christians back to Jerusalem to be judged, became a believer himself and his life was in danger. The hunter became the hunted, not because the original prey became the hunter; he abandoned the other hunters to join the prey. Saul was lowered in a basket through a hole in the wall to avoid a certain death in the hands of the Jews. Am I willing to take such risks for the sake of my beliefs? Am I willing to accept the fact that while in this world, Christians will always be hated and hunted given the opportunity? Christians are like sheep in the midst of wolves. Would I rather be a wolf?

Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to the world. Help me understand clearly his work on my behalf on the cross so that I may proclaim him without fear or reservation. Fill me with boldness and courage to proclaim his name. Help me stand firm in my faith until the end. Amen.

Acts 9:10-19 The Conversion of Saul - Part II

For Saul to become the Paul we know today, it was necessary to have an Ananias. He was a disciple and he lived in Damascus. He was at the right place at the right time. Nonetheless, it was necessary for him to hear God and obey him.  The Lord spoke to him and gave him the address where he could find Saul to lay hands and pray for him to receive his sight. Ananias was afraid because Saul's reputation as one who persecuted believers was wide spread, but the Lord convinced him by revealing his purposes with Saul. Ananias obeyed and played a very significant role in the integration of Saul in the Christian community. I want to be like Ananias - a true disciple who is always at the right place at the right time, ready to hear from God, ready to obey, ready to serve, and willing to take risks for sake of the kingdom.

God had chosen Saul to be an instrument in his hands and he chose to intertwine the lives of Ananias and Saul at this juncture in their lives. The interdependence of believers to achieve God's purposes is so evident. God could have healed Saul's blindness through an angel. He could have given him all he needed without human intervention, but he made the paths of these people collide for his glory. I praise the Lord for the people in my life. I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the people God has placed in my path to prepare me, and work with me in the kingdom. I can't live the Gospel alone, God wants me to be in interdependence with brothers and sisters to have a synergy that helps me accomplish so much more in a team than by myself.

Now, here is a shocking statement out of God's mouth: "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." God has revealed to Ananias that Saul will suffer greatly as a servant of the kingdom. No one likes to suffer, but suffering is not evil. Through suffering our salvation was worked out. Suffering has a redeeming effect upon those who experience it. It is a schooling appreciated only in hindsight and never while living it. I think it is ironic that Saul, who made many Christians suffer, would be allowed to suffer more than most by Christ himself. My view of suffering should not be gloom and doom. I should view it as a learning experience that helps me understand things I could not understand before suffering.

God chose Saul to carry the name of Jesus before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. His suffering in the kingdom would be for the sake of Jesus' name. All for Jesus. No one else and nothing else. Saul was to be sold out to Jesus to serve him and suffer while doing so with joy. It is easy to forget why I serve in the kingdom. It is not for myself. It is not to gain fame or money - certainly not money! It is not to serve my ego and please my fancy. It is to carry the name of Jesus everywhere! It is to be willing to suffer for that purpose and enjoy the journey.

Father, I am your servant. Make me a instrument in your hands like Ananias and Saul. May I be ready to hear your voice, ready to obey it, willing to suffer if necessary to serve you. May suffering never deter me from giving my all to serve you. Amen.

Acts 9:1-9 The Conversion of Saul

Saul of Tarsus, later the apostle Paul, was determined to take down Christians "breathing threats and murder" against them. He went to the high priest to ask for letters to capture them in the surrounding towns and bring them back to Jerusalem. It is not certain what the nature of the letters were, but it could have been   some sort of a license to capture and transport Christians. There are many people like Saul in the world today. I have to admit the reality that the Sauls of this life will persecute believers around the world.  Am I ready if it becomes my turn? I pray that I will be ready.

Paul's target was the city of Damascus, a very important city in his day. It was a center of Greco-Roman culture and trade in the Near East. Christians were thought of as people belonging to the Way. This word refers literally to a road, but metaphorically to a path, way of life, a lifestyle. In the midst of a very pagan culture at the time, Christians stood out as people who had a very different lifestyle. Their ways were not the world's ways. Is my lifestyle different than the world in which I live today? Could someone watch my lifestyle and say that I am different than the world in which I live? If my lifestyle is not any different than the world's, what kind of Christian am I then? Nominal? One who gives lip service to Christ, but whose lifestyle is not a reflection of his teachings, but the world's.

Saul was going his own way persecuting people belonging to the Way when a light from heaven flashed around him. This was a very bright light and he was knocked to the ground and he heard a voice that asked: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?" Our Lord Jesus Christ's identification with his church, his body is so intimate that to persecute a Christian is to persecute Christ himself. Anyone who comes after me to persecute me is actually persecuting Jesus. When I am persecuted, ridiculed, or simply left out in this world, I must remember that they are doing it unto him and not just me. I am not alone!

From other accounts we know that Paul not only heard Jesus' voice, but saw him as the resurrected Christ and received instructions from him to wait. By his compliance to the voice is clear that Saul was disarmed and completely surrendered to Christ. The man that was breathing threats and murder was tamed by the power of the presence of the Lord. The self-sufficient and self-righteous Saul was brought to his knees and blinded to the point of needing others to guide him by the hand. When Christ steps into somebody's path, he changes its course forever. I must not forget that it does not matter how difficult someone may seem for Gospel, my Lord is capable of transforming hearts with his powerful presence.

Father, prepare my heart to stand strong against those who persecute you. Help me to evaluate my lifestyle and transform it to be different from the world and pleasing to you. May I never give up on anyone who rejects you no matter how difficult they may be. 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.