Day 45 - Acts 13-14

So often, as we read in the book of Acts, we see the apostles imitating the ministry of Jesus Christ. There is similarity in works - healing, etc. There is similarity in words - preaching repentance, etc. Here in Acts 13 we see the similarity in dealing with false religious leaders. Just as Jesus was very direct and harsh against the Pharisees who were leading people astray, so Paul, here, is extremely harsh in his reaction to the false teaching of Elymas (vs8-11). False teachers are not people to be soft and accommodating towards, but rather, they are people to be singled out and exposed for who they are and soundly denounced publicly.

Paul's sermon in Antioch in Pisidia is powerful! What a wonderful recounting of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the midst of this sermon in the synagogue, Paul makes an ironic statement (13:27). He says that the Jews and their rulers, since they did not understand the Scriptures (of which Jesus was the fulfillment), ended up fulfilling other Scriptures regarding the Messiah by condemning Jesus. In other words, the ones who were denying that Jesus was the Christ, ended up confirming that He indeed was the Messiah by their rejection of Him and subsequent crucifixion. This is the amazing sovereignty of God on display that He could take the very actions that were intended to disprove that Jesus was the Messiah and use them to confirm Jesus' identification as that very Messiah!

A couple of other brief observations in this chapter: 13:39 - the gospel is better than the law - the law condemns us as sinners, the gospel frees us from sin! 13:52 - a Holy-Spirit-filled person is a joyful person!

Chapter 14 is a good reminder that there are two extremes to be ready for in the gospel ministry. The first is opposition. Paul and Barnabas were the focus of much opposition in this chapter, even to the point of Paul's being stoned - vs19 (he probably actually did die, yet God raised him up - just my opinion). Any time you try to do something in the service of God, you will face opposition. If you never are opposed by anyone, then you might want to examine what you are doing to make sure that it truly is Gospel ministry! The second thing to be aware of is over-exaltation. The people in Lystra wanted to elevate Paul and Barnabas to the status of "gods." They were ready even to offer sacrifices to them (vs13). Paul and Barnabas rightly restrained this inappropriate "worship." We too, whenever we are met with success in our ministries, must deflect the praise and credit to God. We must warn the people to whom we minister not to put us on a "pedestal" as it were, and remind them that "we also are men, of like nature with you" (vs15).

Soli Deo Gloria - To God alone be the glory!