Acts Chapters 13- Ch18:22 Sent off…the mission of the church!

In Chapter 13 we find Saul (soon to become Paul) sent off with Barnabas (the encourager) off to Cyprus where Paul blinds Elymas the sorcerer. They continued their travels and they came to Perga, there Paul announced that salvation had also come to the Gentiles as well as the Jews through Jesus Christ. And so begins Paul’s missionary journey. The road would not be easy in fact in even after they healed a lame man— they would stone and left for dead outside of the city gates…but they got up and kept on preaching.

Some confusion over “right doctrine” surfaced and the issue was circumcision. Some were saying that men could only be saved if they were circumcised, so Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem for clarification. To us this may seem like a small issue but this was a defining moment for the church and it was decided that people are purified in their hearts by faith in Jesus Christ. No longer would circumcision be required (this was also important to the Galatians).

Paul then continues on another journey this time with Silas because he and Barnabas had a disagreement over John Mark. Funny—even back then people are still people. Paul has a vision that says he needs to abandon his original plan and move out of Asia into Macedonia (current day Europe). In Troas Lydia is the first person baptized in Macedonia.

So let’s just talk:

• What do you think about Saul/Paul?

Personally he is one of my favorite people in the bible—he was so changed by his encounter with Jesus Christ that he changed his whole life and was willing to endure beatings, stoning, shipwreck and more to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with the whole world.

• Who are the modern day Paul’s?

Billy Graham comes to mind—he has traveled endured criticism and remained faithful to the message for all these years. Who else do you think of?

• Has faith come to you this way or your household? One of the recurring themes in the Book of Acts is that when one person comes to faith in Christ the whole household comes to believe. I know it did for mine.