Acts 14:6-20 Paul Stoned At Lystra

At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.  This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,  said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.  When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”  And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.  The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out  and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;  and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”  Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derby.

Paul's calling by the Lord Jesus was to make His name known by the gentiles and their kings.  Jesus' warning of Paul, he will suffer much for My name's sake.  Paul's equipping, the presence of Lord Jesus and the ennoblement to work signs and wonders.  Paul's work at Lystra, convincing many there by restoring a cripple from birth.  The Jews reaction -  They stoned him and accused him of blasphemy, all rooted in their own pride.   Paul needed to persevere through his persecution because the calling from Jesus was great and to him, his sacrifice was small in comparison to the glory of Jesus.

Daily Prayer:  Lord, let present day Christians come to know Your glory as Paul did.  Let us come to understand Your everlasting riches and profound wisdom and make it know to the people of my time.
Give us boldness to proclaim Your Name.  Amen.

Acts 13: 44-52 The Jews Oppose Paul Who Turns To The Gentiles

The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.  But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.  Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us,

‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.  And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.  But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.  But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.  And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus's first mission in His earthly life was to come to the Lost Sheep of Israel so that they may be brought into the fold and be saved.  But when He came to Him, they rejected Him clinging to the traditions of the Law.  However when Moses came to them with the Law, they rejected him also.  Now, many generations later the Jews return to the Law and Jesus emerges with the Now Covenant, but they could not accept it.
After Jesus ascension, the the Word of the Holy Ghost, Paul and Barnabas emerge as missionaries to the Gentiles who are Jesus' other flock.  Multitudes of them accepted the grace that was freely given them and now the Judaizers  become jealous, wanting them to convert to Judaism in order to be saved.  Paul rejects this, as it gives the Jews a monopoly on God's forgiving grace and he proceeds to lead the way into the Church Era, and era that continues today which is also known as the Era of Grace.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your grace is freely given and by us freely given as well.  It is Your desire and ours that all persons become saved, yet until they set aside their desire to earn Your forgiveness, they will be trapped in their sin.  Help people to overcome this self-sufficiency and put their trust in You alone.  Amen.

Acts 13: 38-43 Need Forgiveness? Justification By Faith Alone

“Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.  The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.  Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.  When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.  But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.  Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.  Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’”

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.  When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

The bedrock of the Christian faith is that our sins can be forgiven us and that by this, we may inherit eternal life.  This is the essence of the message Paul and Barnabas were preaching and it is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It lives on today and more powerful than ever.  Today, about 6 billion people profess faith in Jesus Christ and depend upon His saving grace for everlasting life and reconciliation with God.  So if you need forgiveness and everyone does, then turn to Jesus who is the way, the truth and the light.  Amen.

Daily Prayer.  Lord Jesus, grow faith in those who still cannot see.  People are void of faith, even when the evidence of Your work is before us.  So let the scales that preventing us from seeing be removed so that the family of Christ may be grown.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.

Acts 13:1-13 The Spirit Chooses Paul & Barnabas & They Are Sent Out, But Face Satanic Opposition

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there,prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.  When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus,  who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.  But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.  But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him,  and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?  Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.  Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.

The purpose of the founding of the Church is for proclamation of the Word of God and to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known.  The Holy Spirit filled the chosen evangelists and gave them power and words to equip them.  Fearlessly they went out and immediately were opposed by Satanic men, even Jews to lead others away.  But Paul speaking and acting with authority given him by the Holy Spirit quieted these men and forces and straightened the path that they enemy had made crooked and made a way for men and women to believe in the Risen Jesus Christ.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I truly do speak of You and in no way am ever ashamed for doing so.  Break down the strongholds of opposition and let the church speak out to the world so that Your name is known in my day and in my culture.  Together let's reach them  In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Acts 12:20-25 God Will Not Share His Glory

 Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, and having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was fed by the king’s country.  On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”  And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.

King Agrippa in today's lesson is in front of the people of Tyre and Sidon.  These subject's were glorifying God, but King Agrippa tried to share in God's glory, but God does not share His glory with anyone and therefore smote King Agrippa and left him to be eaten by the worms.  Now, when people do not have a humble walk before God they can remember King Agrippa and learn that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, always have me be mindful to remember I am the creation and not the Creator.  I am humble and not exalted.  I am dependent and You are worthy.  This is most certainly true.  Amen.

Acts 12:1-19 Peter’s Arrest and Deliverance

Now about that time ^[a]Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.  And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now ^[b]it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.  When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four ^[c]squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.  So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

 On ^[d]the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.  And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.  And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and ^[e]put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”  And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.  When Peter came ^[f]to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all ^[g]that the Jewish people were expecting.”  And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.  When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.  They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.”  But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to ^[h]James and the brethren.” Then he left and went to another place.Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to ^[i]what could have become of Peter.  When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.

If you have given yourself to God, you will not be taken before your time.  In today's lesson we see that James, the brother of John was executed by the House of Herod.  As he felt empowered by such a thing he tries to compound his persecution to include Peter, the lead disciple of Jesus Christ.  Even though he was put in prison and heavily guarded, an Angel of the Lord delivered him.  Herod was so angry he put the guards to death, even though they couldn't have prevented Peter's escape. Peter's victory came through trust in the Living Lord Jesus Christ who is the Good Shepherd to those who love Him.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I need Your care 24/7.  Evil is always lurking to injury  me, but I need not worry because You care for me and are much greater than my enemies.  Then when my life is full, or in such a time when You are ready for me, You will take me to be with You and all will be well.  In Your name I pray Amen.

Acts 11:19-30 In Antioch, The Church Became Known As "Christians"

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.  The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.  And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.  And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Isn't it interesting that the name Christian did not emerge in Jerusalem, instead in Antioch - a gentile territory.
It started with the evangelism of Barnabas, choosing to make Christ's name known outside of Jerusalem.
He traveled first to Tarsus to invite Saul, now known as Paul to go with him which was Paul's commission by Jesus Christ.  Christ told him to go to the gentiles, and their kings to make His name and His gospel known.
Paul had been waiting on word from Jerusalem for years, so when He was included in this missionary promise, He was more than happy to accept.  Part of the business of Barnabas and Paul was to raise money for the church in Jerusalem because their was famine in the land.  In the course of these events, followers of Jesus became known by the name they are called today which is Christians - partakers in Christ.

Daily Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I as one of those who are in the church and in You carry on Your work even today.  The greatest convert is your neighbor, because you told us to love our neighbor as our self and this is how we make you known even today.  In Your holy name I pray Amen.