The First Missionary Journey

Acts 13 & 14

Introduction

The next section of Acts takes us on the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. They are setting out from Antioch. This was a rough journey riddled with health issues, attacks, and personal danger in many locations for the missionaries before they found their way back home to Antioch. With John Mark going back in the middle of the journey, conflict and drama must have been part of the story as well.

What is part of the “drama” in our mission? As we are talking to people about the good news of Jesus and our faith, sometimes we are surprised by the response or question that comes from the discussion. These times are going to happen, so it is important not to lead people astray. Be strong and respond that you will find the answer and get back. Don't risk giving false words from the Bible when you are not sure.

How can we limit the drama and have a positive impact on our community?

Acts 13:1-3

Preparation led by the Spirit

Paul and Barnabas were set apart for the service of the Lord in general and for this first missionary journey. The Holy Spirit set them apart in the group at Antioch for the missionary journey. The decision of the Church at this point was to take the gospel to all of the world and start preaching in more locations under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Mission work was a huge step led by what God wanted. The Christians in the early church always did what God wanted them to do.

The prophets and teachers had different jobs in the early church. Prophets were basically wandering preachers who had given their whole lives to listening to the word of God then taking it to others. The teachers were local people who taught the converts the gospel and the word of God. Each of their activities served to strengthen the early church.

How is the church strengthened today?Think about this one. We will talk about this question in our next lesson.

What do Christians do today to retain members in our congregations? Jesus took a simple, easily duplicated approach to recruiting and retaining disciples. The message is simple – follow me.

Have a Great Week!

Brad

Give God the Glory

Acts 12:20-25

Herod Refuses God the Glory

What does this tell us about God? God wants us to give credit where it is due. We learn in the Old Testament that God is a jealous God. The people recognized that his speech was inspired or they were trying to flatter him. Herod didn't give God the credit or glory for the inspiration. He was struck down right then and God's message grew. His glory grew through the work of the early church led by the Holy Spirit.

Do you think God works to make his point with us today? When God answers our prayers, give him the credit so that His glory is seen through you.

Verses 24 and 25 takes us back to Acts 11:27-30. Saul and Barnabas are heading back to Antioch with John Mark from Jerusalem.

Acts 13 & 14

The next section of Acts takes us on the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. They are setting out from Antioch. This was a rough journey riddled with health issues and personal danger in many locations for the missionaries before they found their way back home to Antioch. With John Mark going back in the middle of the journey, conflict and drama must have been part of the story as well.

Stay tuned for the first missionary journey.

Have a Great Week!

Brad

Earnest or Constant Prayer

Acts 12:1-11

Peter and more persecution for the church and Peter's escape from prison

With the killing of James, John's brother, King Herod saw that the Jews were pleased. He attempted to find favor with the Jews by seeking out church leaders to persecute.
If you look at the family ancestors of King Herod Agrippa, he is a direct descendant of the Macabees through his mother. He was educated in Rome and was sympathetic to the Jews. When he arrested Peter during passover, he did not attempt to carry our his sentence during the Passover.

Christians met together and continually prayed for Peter and God sent an angel to free him from the intense security put in place to ensure that he would not escape. They did not know how their prayers would be answered, so when Rhoda said that Peter was at the door, they did not believe her. She had to insist. Is our mind open to all ways God answers our prayers?
The greatest tragedy of this whole situation was that he was not persecuting the church because of who the church stood for and principles, but purely for the satisfaction of the Jews that he wanted to gain favor with. It was all political.

Acts 12:12-19

Earnest Prayer turned to Joy

Peter was being guarded by 16 soldiers. The greatest of precautions was being taken to ensure that Peter did not get away. When he did get away, the guards were taken and executed. Those who were praying for him were astonished that he was there. They reasoned that it must be a ghost. In fact, it was not. It was Peter and they rejoiced.

During Jesus' lifetime, his brothers did not believe in him. They thought he was mad. It was only after his death with a special appearance to James that James committed to serve Jesus all of his life (1 Corinthians 15:7).

Sometimes the seeds we plant are not realized during our work or even our lifetimes. This is true with James.

Be sure to check out Mark's lessons at http://www.putnamchurchofchrist.com .

Have a Great Week!
Brad

Growing the Church

Acts 11:19-21

Growing the Church

Great things are happening in Antioch. For the first time in history, the gospel is being taught to the gentiles. This is the third step to opening the message of salvation to the gentiles. First, Phillip preached to the Samaritans. The Samaritans were half Jewish providing a bridge to the Gentiles. Next, Peter accepted the hospitality from Cornelius and taught he and his household. The Holy Spirit fell upon them in the presence of the brethren from Joppa. And now, the Christians in Antioch are deliberately teaching the Gentiles there.

Antioch was the third greatest city at this time next to Rome and Alexandria. Antioch was a progressive, cosmopolitan city. They were known for their pagan worship of Daphne. When they talked about someone living the morals of Daphne, they were talking about someone who was engaged in loose living. The city was ripe for the message of the gospel. They were first called Christians here. The term was intended to be derogatory, but they took advantage of the label and made it work for them.

Acts 11:22-26

The church in Jerusalem were hearing about the gospel being offered to Gentiles in Antioch, so they sent someone to check it out. They sent Barnabas with the big heart and continuous encouragement to see what was happening. This turns out to be a very good thing because he assesses the situation and thinks of Saul in Tarsus.

Saul has not been heard from in about nine years. He has been living and working in Tarsus and witnessing during this time. The stage was set for launching his ministry. Barnabas brings him to Antioch and puts Saul in charge of the work there. They spend the next year working with the church in Antioch where disciples were first called Christians.

Barnabas immediately understood that the Christians in Antioch were going to need help by someone who would continually teach the truth of the gospel and stay on track in a very luxuriously immoral city.

What talents do the Christians need in your area?

Acts 11:27-30

Helping those in trouble

The prophets in the early church arrive on the scene. They arrive several places through what was recorded about the early church in Acts 13:1, 15:32, and 21:9-10.

Three types of leaders in the early church were apostles, elders, and the prophets. The apostles authority extended to all of the church, not confined to an area or congregation. The elders were the local leaders of the church with authority confined to the congregation where they are members.

The word prophet means foreteller or fourth-teller. They foretold the future. They were highly revered in the church and important to keep unity in the church. Christians realized the need to be unified even in the beginning. They helped each other when they were in trouble.

Next week, more trouble for the church from Acts 12.

Have a Great Week!
Brad