Acts 13
February 10, 2010 by: aquillofGod
Once again, in today’s chapter, we see the amazing works of the Holy Spirit that accompanied the apostles.
Let’s read the chapter and see if you agree with me.
Bible Passage: Acts 13
Were you wondering why I said I saw the amazing works of the Holy Spirit in the chapter even though there was only one record of a miracle happening?
The reason is very simple; the work of the Holy Spirit, over and above allowing man to speak in tongues and perform miracles, signs and wonders is to guide man into all truth so that they can be set free and ultimately be saved through the truth.
Therefore, His work is not just a flashy show of miracles or a fluent speaking of unknown tongues. His work is seen in the change of man upon coming into contact with Him as well as the constant guidance of those who are sensitive to His direction.
Therefore, let us look deeper into the chapter, look at the little pieces we may have missed out and see what we can learn from them.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)
We often mention how the Holy Spirit chose Paul (Saul) and Barnabas to preach the gospel on their missionary trips and focus on what they did on these trips. While this is true, we should also not neglect how the two of them, together with other co-workers, were already serving God and preparing themselves before the Holy Spirit sent them out to work.
Today, when we work for God, we should also have their spirit of being ready to be sent at anytime as well as their understanding for the need of preparation before starting any work. Be it teaching in RE classes, interpreting, evangelising or any of the other numerous duties we have in church, preparation, both skills-wise and spirituality-wise, is of utmost importance.
Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [...] Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. (Acts 13:6-12)
Besides the example above, the later part of the chapter also records how the Jews rejected Paul and Barnabas but the gentiles rejoiced at what they preached. To be very fair, not all the Jews rejected them but we can see quite clearly it is not who we are but what we choose that determines our end.
The Jews were meant for salvation but they chose to reject their Saviour. The gentiles, on the other hand, chose to gladly accept this Saviour.
Today, while we have chosen to accept this Saviour, will we continue to make choices that draw us nearer to Him or will our choices cause us to lose Him eventually?
February 11th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them,”These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Luke 24:46-49 Then He said to them,”Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”
Barnabas and Paul bore witness of these things.
The words spoken by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch in Acts 13:16-41 were similar to the words of Lord Jesus in Luke 24:44, 46-49.
When we preach the gospel of salvation, we just need to speak the salvation we ourselves obtained through Lord Jesus plainly. Lord Jesus Himself will give life to the word by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who speaking to them, persuaded them to contiune in the grace of God.
Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
When Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the region (Acts 13:50), did the Jews, devout proselytes and Gentiles fell away too? Surely they did, they were new believers, weren’t they?
No, they stood steadfast in their faith in Lord Jesus and continued in the grace of God. By the help of Holy Spirit, these believers became disciples : Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.