Author: drthomasclothier

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1-3)

Acts 13:1-3 provides the reader with a further glimpse of the leadership within the early New Testament church. These leaders included prophets and teachers of God’s Word.

The prophets were preachers, or heralds, of the Scriptures. In the early years of the church, they were responsible for the instruction of local congregations. Sometimes, God gave them new revelation to share with the believing community (Acts 11:28; 21:10). Eventually, God appointed pastors, elders, teachers and evangelists in their place.

Teachers were also instructors of God’s Word.  (Matthew 10:24, 25; 23:8; John 1:38; 13:13, 14; 20:16; Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:28, 29; Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 5:12; James 3:1). Although not all teachers were pastors, all pastors were to be teachers of the Word of God (I Timothy 3:1-7; 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-2). In the church at Antioch, the prophets and teachers included Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Today’s text reveals that these individuals were worshipers of the One, True God. Worship involved the priestly service of prayer, oversight of the flock along with preaching and teaching.

They also practiced the discipline of spiritual and biblical fasting, which is also accompanied with vigilant and passionate prayer (Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:1-3; Matthew 17:21; Luke 2:37). It was while they were involved in these two practices that the Holy Spirit communicated to the church leadership to separate, or appoint, Barnabas and Saul for the work which He had sovereignly called them to do.

In obedient response, the church leadership laid hands on the two friends and colleagues, following their fasting and praying. As in Acts 6:1-6, the laying on of hands was a symbolic gesture affirming, supporting, and identifying with someone and their ministry (I Timothy 4:14; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6). The Antiochian church affirmed the new missionary ministry of Barnabas and Saul.

The LORD prepared these two for this moment. All of their experiences thus far, alone and together, contributed to their being the right people, at the right time, for God’s righteous purpose. Such remains the case with you and me.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

^27” Now in these days’ prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). ²⁹ So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. ³⁰ And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:27–30)

Whatever service you are presently giving to people, and before the Lord, may not be all which he intends for you to do. You may want to serve Him more, with the abilities, spiritual gifts, and talents which He gave you. However, you currently find yourself limited by circumstances from doing more for the Lord than you desire.

Don’t become frustrated. Don’t become angry, either at other people, your current situation, or even at God. He knows your heart and knows your qualifications and abilities. Remember, He gave you your capabilities to be used for His glory (I Peter 4:10-11).

Agabus was one of the Jerusalem prophets, who would later be involved in Paul’s ministry who years later played an important part in Paul’s ministry (21:10–11). He prophesied that a famine was going to occur. Several ancient historians such as Tacitus [Annals XI.43], Josephus [Antiquities 5], and Suetonius [Claudius 18]) affirm the occurrence of great famines in Israel around A.D. 45–46. The famine was so significant that it reached beyond just Israel. It also occurred during the reign of Claudius. Emperor of Rome (A.D. 41–54).

Luke summarizes the conclusion of this relief effort in Acts 12:24-25. The Gospel continues to spread. The Word of God continues to increase. At the same time, Barnabas and Saul completed their mission delivering much need famine relief to Israel. They returned from Jerusalem to Antioch. Along with them is a young man named John Mark.

Even though Saul would later be known as the Apostle Paul and establish many churches and lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, he was not unwilling to serve the Lord as a deliverer of much needed relief to the believers in Judea due to the famine.

You may not be serving the Lord where you would prefer, but you can serve the Lord where you are needed. Many times where you need to serve is more important than where you want to serve.

Soli deo Gloria!

  

 

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21)

 “Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road also represented his calling to serve as a missionary to the nations. The Lord made it clear when Paul was converted that he was “a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul’s role as a missionary is captured by the words Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus Road according to Acts 26:18: “…to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Paul was God’s chosen instrument to bring God’s saving message to the ends of the earth.” – Thomas R. Schreiner

In the midst of the flourishing activity which Luke reports in Acts 11:19-26 is this statement found in Acts 11:21: “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” What does Luke mean by this statement?

The word “hand” (χεὶρ; cheir) refers to power and control. It means to be in control of something by the ability which the individual inherently possesses. Hand is a metaphorical reference to the power which solely belongs to the Lord. We see this in the phrase, “And the hand of the Lord was with them.” The power and ability of God, which was with the disciples of Jesus in the early church, originated from and belonged solely to the Lord. The Lord alone was responsible for the work being done through the spread of the Gospel.

The result was that Luke recorded “a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” In the context, the objects of God’s power and ability to convert a soul from spiritual death to spiritual life were the Hellenists. What was true regarding the Hellenists at their conversion was not only true in Saul’s conversion but also in Saul’s sanctification.

It was at this time that Saul lived in Tarsus (Acts 9:30; 11:25). What was he doing during this undetermined amount of time? We cannot be sure. It’s probable that as he did in both Damascus and Jerusalem, he was preaching the Gospel to the residents of Tarsus. Perhaps he was reasoning in the synagogue there on the Sabbath.  Perhaps also he was supporting himself financially by plying his tent making trade (Acts 18:1-4).

Regardless of what Saul was doing, we can be assured that the hand of the Lord was with him. Barnabas would soon find Saul and bring him to Antioch where the two of them would minister for a year among the believers.

Whatever our life circumstances may be, the power and ability of the Lord is always with us. He never leaves or forsakes His children (Hebrews 13:5). We ever remain His witness for the Gospel (Acts 1:8).

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

^19 “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. ²⁰ But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. ²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:19–26)

The Scriptures remain silent regarding the years following Saul’s journey from Jerusalem back to Tarsus three years after his conversion (Galatians 1:18-24). Paul summarized his life at this time in Galatians 1:22-24: “²²And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.”

The Book of Acts resumes the biblical narrative regarding Saul in Acts 11:19-26. Jewish Christians were preaching the Gospel in Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. They were in those regions because of the Hellenistic persecution following the death of Stephen (Acts 6-7). Ironically, it was a persecution the now converted Saul had precipitated.

Some of these refugee believers were from the Island of Cyprus and the northern coastal African city of Cyrene. Luke noted that the power of the Lord was with these believers resulting in a great number of the Hellenists being converted (Acts 11:20-21).

Upon hearing of these turn of events, the church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to validate these conversions. Barnabas trusted God’s work in people (9:27; 15:37–39). Acts 11:23-24 says, “²³ When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, ²⁴ for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

It was also at this time that Barnabas traveled to Tarsus to find his friend Saul. This was approximately a 100 mile trip. When Barnabas located Saul, he brought him to Antioch. Perhaps Barnabas was overwhelmed and in need of assistance. For a whole year, these two godly men met with the believers in the city and taught them biblical truth.

Acts 11:26 says that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. This was a title of derision coined by the enemies of the church. The citizens of Antioch were known for making fun of people, but Christians in the second century decided to adopt the title with pride.  The word “Christian” is used here and two other times in the New Testament (Acts 26:28; I Peter 4:16).

God had not forgotten Saul. Neither has God forgotten you. He not only had plans for the future apostle, but the Lord also has plans for you.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¹⁸ “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.” (Galatians 1:18–24)

After three years of silence in Arabia (Galatians 1:17), and then an initial preaching ministry in Damascus (Acts 9:19-22), Saul then traveled to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles in general and Peter (Cephas) in particular. It was time for Saul to be in contact with the leaders of the church.

Saul sought to visit Peter, and then later on the Lord’s brother James, for information, counsel and instruction. While Saul did not receive the Gospel from a man (Galatians 1:12), he did sense the need for confirmation and insight from those who knew Jesus best.

It was at this time that while the church at large regarded Saul with fear and apprehension, he began preaching the Gospel following his meeting with the apostles (Acts 9:26-28), As was the case in Damascus, Saul boldly preached the Gospel in Jerusalem and contended with the Hellenists who wanted to kill him (Acts 9:29).

It was then that Saul’s brothers in Christ hurried him to Caesarea and then sent him to Tarsus for his own protection (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:20). Syria and Cilicia included Saul’s hometown of Tarsus. He remained in this region for a number of years (Galatians 1:22-24).

Dr. John MacArthur comments that, “He was preaching in that region for several years. When word of revival in that area reached Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas (see Acts 11:20–26). Paul stayed on in that region as a pastor in the church at Antioch. With Barnabas, they went from there on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–3), and afterward returned to Antioch (Acts 14:26) from where they were sent to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 14:26–15:4).”

Like Moses in the dessert of Midian (Exodus 3:1; Acts 7:30-34), so too did Saul remain in Syria and Cilicia while remaining relatively unknown to the church in Jerusalem. Not to worry. God knew what Saul was doing (Philippians 2:12-13). He also knows and has a purpose for you, even when you remain relatively unknown.  You’re not unknown to the Lord. Silent years do not have to be unproductive years.

Soli deo Gloria!   

 

^11 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:11-17)  

 There is a lot of debate and discussion among biblical scholars and pastors regarding the events in Saul’s life following his conversion and his first missionary journey with Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Paul provides some insight in his letter to the Galatians.

Today’s text not only affirms Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road but also his pre-converted life of persecuting the church of Jesus Christ. Paul was adamant that he single handedly tried to destroy the church. His reason for attempting to do so was because of zealousness for the traditions of his fore-fathers.

Paul then affirmed the sovereignty of God in his salvation when he wrote, “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,” (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not referring to his physical birth but rather his spiritual birth. God had chosen Paul not only before he was born, but prior to creation or the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4). God sets his servants apart unto salvation even before birth. This is clear from Jeremiah 1:5 (see also Genesis 25:23; Psalm 71:6; Isaiah 44:2; 49:1); Paul presented his own conversion in light of the Old Testament prophets.

Additionally, God’s effectual call in the salvation of Saul on the Damascus Road was not based upon any prior merit or effort on the part of the future apostle. It was totally based upon God’s grace alone, through God given faith alone, and in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

Following his conversion, Paul did not immediately travel to Jerusalem, or remain in Damascus for that matter. Rather, he traveled to Arabia before returning to Damascus and beginning his preaching ministry (Acts 9:20-22).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Rather than immediately travel to Jerusalem to be instructed by the apostles, Paul instead went to Nabatean Arabia, a wilderness desert that stretched east of Damascus down to the Sinai Peninsula. After being prepared for ministry by the Lord, he returned to minister in nearby Damascus.”

The events in Saul’s life were sovereignly orchestrated by the Lord. The events in your life are also sovereignly orchestrated by the Lord. God is in sovereign control of our lives.

Soli deo Gloria!

   

 

 

 

^“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31)

As he was prone to do throughout the Book of Acts, the author Luke summarized the condition of the church. As previously noted in Acts 9:28-30, Saul preached in Jerusalem and encountered strong opposition from the Hellenistic Jews who were responsible for the death of Stephen (Acts 6-7). What they did to Stephen, the Hellenists now wanted to do to Saul. They wanted to kill him. They wanted him dead because of his conversion to Christ.

The Jerusalem church discovered the Hellenists intentions. Therefore, they secretly brought Saul to Caesarea and then sent him home to Tarsus. This was for his own protection. It would also provide Saul some much needed peace and rest following his dramatic conversion (Acts 9:1-1-9) and the resulting hatred toward him by the Jews in Damascus and Jerusalem.

It was during this time that the church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and was growing in their faith. The peace came from not only Saul’s conversion but also from a new and stricter Roman governor, Marcellus (36-37 AD), who had succeeded Pontius Pilate.

The church was not only at peace and growing in their faith, but was also living in the fear and reverence of the Lord. This was accompanied by the Holy Spirit’s comfort.

While this time of tranquility was enjoyable, it would not last. The Book of Acts chronicles not only the growth of the church, but also the growth of the persecution against the church. Soon there would be more martyrs (Acts 12:1-3) and imprisonments (Acts 12:4-5). Yet, the Gospel could not be killed or imprisoned: then or now.

Take comfort today in the peace and rest God provides, even in the most trying of circumstances.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

²⁸ “So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. ³⁰ And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus” (Acts 9:28–30)

“What was the root of Paul’s deep love for the churches? It grew out of his profound understanding of God’s love for him. Paul was so deeply aware of Christ’s love for him that in a sense he was forced to live for Christ and to love as Christ loved. He loved the Corinthians and the Galatians because Christ loved him. So we see again that character grows out of one’s theology. Because Paul’s theology was firmly rooted in the love of Christ, his character reflected it, and he could love others as Christ loved him.” – Jerry Bridges

We do not witness any bitterness by Saul when the disciples of Jesus in Jerusalem initially rejected him due to their fear of him. Following Barnabas’ validation of Saul’s sincere conversion to Christ, the future apostle to the Gentiles went in and out among the disciples and apostles in Jerusalem.

We must also take note that Saul was not just looking for Christian fellowship, as important as that was and is for the church. He also began preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. In other words, Saul continued to preach the Gospel in Jerusalem, as he had in Damascus.

It was during this time that Saul began disputing with the Hellenists. Hellenists were Jews who adopted certain aspects of Greek culture. These were the opponents who disputed with Stephen in Acts 6 -7. It was when they executed Stephen that we first learned of a young man named Saul of Tarsus. Saul’s former colleagues against Christianity became his fierce foes. As they succeeded in killing Stephen for his preaching of the Gospel, so they intended to kill Saul for the same reason.

However, when Saul’s brothers in Christ learned of this plot by the Hellenists, they brought him to Caesarea and sent him off, presumably by ship, to Tarsus. It was at this time that Saul disappeared from public ministry for several years. Exactly what he was doing during this time we will examine in the days to come.

It is certain that Saul/Paul loved his fellow believers in Christ, and they him. It is equally certain that he had many enemies who sought to silence the Gospel by silencing him. However, neither Saul, nor the Gospel, could, or can, be silenced: then or now.

Soli deo Gloria!

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).

Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “He (Paul) was a man who didn’t feel the need to pound his chest and defend himself as the great apostle Paul; rather, he buffeted his body to gain an invisible crown so that he could present it to the Lord (1 Cor. 9:26). He was a man willing to be considered a fool for Christ (1 Cor. 1:27), and he was a man who wanted to be identified, first and foremost, as one graciously called to be an apostle who was a bondservant of Christ. Just as he boldly proclaimed the doctrine of justification by faith alone because of the imputed righteousness of Christ alone, so he lived and breathed the simple phrase that he wrote on nearly every page of every epistle: “in Christ.” Paul was a real man, and one of the greatest men of all time, not because he lived for his own greatness and glory but because he lived humbly before the face of God, coram Deo, for the glory of God.”

Barnabas, who was also known as Joseph, was one of the early converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement, probably earned his new name through his effective preaching and teaching. It may also have been earned by his encouragement to those who were initially rejected by the early church. Such an individual was Saul.

A native of Cyprus, Barnabas was a Jew of the Diaspora. His priestly family background gave him a special interest in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36). He probably came to live in the Holy City. It is possible that he may even have become acquainted with Jesus in Jerusalem, but his conversion to Christianity probably resulted from the apostles’ preaching soon after the resurrection of Christ.

Barnabas first appeared as a property owner named Joseph in the book of Acts. He sold a field and gave the money to the Christian community (Acts 4:36–37). When persecution of Hellenistic Christians broke out in Jerusalem, Barnabas remained in the city though others of similar background fled (8:1–8; 11:19–22). His good reputation in Jerusalem may have influenced the apostles to select him as Paul’s companion for missionary work. Luke, the writer of Acts said of Barnabas, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).

Barnabas’ displayed his goodness, fullness of the Holy Spirit and his faith in bringing Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem. Barnabas knew of Saul’s experience encountering the Lord Jesus on the Damascus Road. He shared the truth of Saul’s conversion to the apostles. He also relayed to them how Saul boldly preached the Gospel while in Damascus.

Barnabas affirmed the validity of Saul’s conversion. He did so when no one else would. What an encouragement that must have been for Saul.

Who do you know who is a son or daughter of encouragement to those who are within the church and who could easily fall through the cracks? Encourage these encouragers today by letting them know how much you appreciated their ministry.

Soli deo Gloria!

 ^“And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26).

Pastor Burk Parsons writes, “The apostle Paul was indeed a man of strength, bravery, boldness, and confidence, and he was a man who cared deeply about the world, about others, and about all things religious. He was a man who very much concerned himself with servant-hood, humility, prayer, faith, and love. He was a man of such spiritual fortitude that he understood that he was strongest in Christ when he was weakest in himself (2 Cor. 12:10). He was a man who knew that his only confidence was in Christ, not in his own natural abilities (Phil. 3:3). He was a man who cared so much for the people of God that he was willing to suffer the persecutions of men rather than be at home with Christ (Phil. 1:21).”

When I first was converted by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I became a member of not only the church of the living God, but also a local church. It was in this local congregation that I began to grow in the Lord, worship God in spirit and in truth, minister to and be ministered by fellow believers, learn how to share the Gospel, and fellowship with people who would become lifelong and dear friends.

I was not rejected, but accepted. I was not shunned but embraced. I was not rebuked but gently instructed and nurtured. Was I rough around the edges? Certainly! Did I have a lot to learn regarding personal holiness? Absolutely! However, I became part of the family of God, represented by a local congregation and its pastor.

It strikes me as troubling that while Saul was accepted by the saints in Damascus, such was not the case with the church in Jerusalem. Much like Ananias, who initially balked at God’s directive to minister to Saul, the disciples in Jerusalem did not readily receive Saul into their fellowship. The reason was because they were afraid of him. The reason they were afraid of him was because they did not believe he was truly converted. They did not believe he was truly a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Apparently, the disciples’ negative reaction towards Saul was widespread. It would take more than just a personal testimony to convince the believers in Jerusalem that the one time persecutor of the faithful was now a member of the faithful. Skepticism remained high and acceptance was seemingly very low, it not non-existent for Saul.

However, we shall soon see that there was one man who was willing to step out in faith, and perhaps also out of his comfort zone, in order to take a chance on Saul. The man’s name was Barnabas.

I trust that you also found acceptance, along with the sweet communion of becoming a part of an evangelical church, when you were converted by the Gospel. I also trust that acceptance and sweet communion remains to this day.

Soli deo Gloria!