Last time, we delved into the second half of the book of James. (See Christianity Out in the World).
Now, we are going to continue with a chronological presentation of the apostles Peter and Paul’s continuing thrusts to spread the Gospel.
We’ll first return to Peter, just after he baptized the Roman Centurion and his household. (See https://godcherishesyou.com/christs-greatest-enemy-was-directly-converted-by-jesus-himself/).
Peter returned to Jerusalem, whereupon he was subjected to a hostile reception from some Jewish brothers in Christ, because he had ministered to Gentiles. However, once Peter told them how the Holy Spirit had filled the Gentiles, the critics changed their tune:
When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” Ac.11:18 NLT
During this same timeframe, (after the stoning of the disciple Stephen), many of Christ’s followers fled to other regions to preach, due to increased persecution from the non-believing Jews. One of these places was the city of Antioch, located in what was a Syrian territory, now, part of modern-day Turkey.
There, a church was planted in Antioch, which became the ‘fountainhead’ of Gentile followers of Christ.
The church in Jerusalem was very impressed with the reports that they received about the Antioch church. So, the sent a disciple, named Barnabas, to bestow their seal of approval on it, as well as to strengthen the congregants in their doctrine.
Barnabas was so inspired by this church that he traveled to Tarsus to enlist the assistance of the apostle Saul for his mission. Together, they returned to Antioch to teach in the church:
Both of them stayed there with the church a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Ac. 11:26 NLT
In this same time, Herod Agrippa 1, grandson of Herod the Great, of Jesus’ time, was governor of Judea. He was also close to one of Rome’s most infamous Caesars, Caligula – who must have made quite an impression on Herod, because he was equally evil.
Herod had ordered the execution of the apostle James (brother of John). The Jews has lauded Herod for his deed. Emboldened, he had the apostle Peter arrested and sentenced to be executed as well.
The night prior to the execution, Peter was in prison, bound with chains, sleeping between 2 soldiers, and guarded by sentries. In the middle of that night, God sent an angel to free him and help him to escape to Caesarea. Herod never found Peter again…
Herod continued his ungodly behavior – even to the point of believing that he was a god. However, as soon as he tried to own that thought, Jehovah sent an angel to strike him down for his blasphemy[1]
At the approximate time of Herod’s death (47 A.D.), a prophet from Jerusalem journeyed to the church in Antioch, warning them of an imminent famine that would strike Judea.
In response, the church sent aid to the church elders in Jerusalem through the hands of Barnabas and Saul, who were also accompanied by a Gentile disciple, named Titus.
After delivering the aid, Barnabas, and Saul, (this time traveling with the apostle Mark), returned to Antioch. When they arrived, the Holy Spirit fell upon the church elders – urging then to send Barnabas and Saul on what would become Saul’s first missionary journey. Mark came along to assist.
Their first stop was the island of Cyprus, home to Barnabas, where they preached in the synagogues and to the Gentiles as well. Because of the presence of the Gentiles, Saul decided to use his Roman name, Paul. (He was a Roman citizen – more on that later). For the rest of his life, he remained apostle Paul.
When they finished preaching in Cyprus, they set sail for the Roman province of Galatia (located in modern-day Turkey). When they made landfall, the apostle Mark left for Jerusalem (the Bible doesn’t tell us why).
“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.” Ac. 13:32, 33. NLT
Paul and Barnabas stayed to preach in several Galatian cities, establishing new churches as they did so. Let’s listen in as Paul preaches the Gospel in one of these cities, also called Antioch – speaking of Christ’s lineage:
“…the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul…But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’
“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!” Ac.13:21 – 23. NLT
“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus.” Ac. 13:32, 33. NLT
“So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and free of guilt through the Law of Moses.” Ac. 13:38, 39. AMP
Therein lies a short synopsis of the message of the cross…
The Jews were amazed at Paul’s Gospel preaching, inviting him to return on the following Sabbath, so that they could hear more. When Paul showed up, the entire city was present – mostly populated by Gentiles.
The Jews that were present, were jealous of the presence of the Gentiles. They began to harass Paul and Barnabas, accusing them of bringing the Gentiles a false gospel that could not save them. Yet Paul and Barnabas boldly stood their ground against the Jews, and they spelled out what awaits the Jews because of their disbelief:
“It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command, when he said,
‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. Ac. 13:46 – 48. NLT
The Jews had their chance. But they blew it because of their unbelief – just as in Christ’s time.
Later, the Jews ran Paul and Barnabas out of town. They traveled to the city of Iconium, where Jews and Gentiles alike, embraced their salvation. Still, there was a faction of un-believing Jews who tried to turn the Gentiles against the apostles. But God had different plans:
But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:3 NLT
The unbelievers hardened their hearts against Paul and Barnabas, and they planned to kill them. But the apostles got wind of their plan and moved on to a city called Lystra. There, Paul healed a crippled man for God’s glory. Yet the unbelievers followed the apostles to Lystra, saying that it was their ‘god,’ who did the healing. Then they stoned Paul and left him for dead.
The next day, Paul arose, and he and Barnabas preached in one more city. Then, they retraced their steps back to the Gentile church in Antioch, revisiting all the churches that they had planted – telling them to endure to receive their promise:
…they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Acts 14:22 NLT
Indeed, we have an open invitation to God; but the devil will never give up his hateful attempts of trying to get you to reject the invite, or try to convince you to renounce it once you’ve accepted it.
Thus, we must be ever-vigilant, always keeping our eyes on the prize…
Goodnight and God bless.
[1] Ac 12:23