SUNDAY
The First Missionary Journey Of Paul And Barnabas
The Lord called Saul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey to carry the gospel message. In Acts 13:9 Saul is also called Paul and that is how he is known throughout the rest of the New Testament. In Antioch Paul relayed the history of the Jewish people and told how God fulfilled the prophecies through Jesus. Many of the Jews followed Paul and Barnabas, which caused those filled with envy to speak out against the preaching of Paul.
“46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 13:46-52)
In chapter 14 they went from Iconium to Lystra and Derbe. When a crippled man was healed, the people called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, and started to sacrifice with the people. Paul stopped them. I never understood how these people who thought they were gods, could be persuaded to stone Paul.
“19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:19-23)
Paul didn’t quit. They continued on their missionary journey ordaining elders in the churches and told the disciples how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
MONDAY
The Second Missionary Journey
In chapter 15 some wanted to put the Gentile Christians under the law of Moses but it was decided that they should not put them under the great burden of the law. Paul wanted to make another missionary journey and Barnabas wanted them to take John Mark. Paul didn’t want to let him go because he left them in Pamphylia before and didn’t complete the trip.
“39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” (Acts 15:39-41)
It is good to see that Paul saw the importance of the ministry of Mark later on. “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” (II Timothy 4:11) We are introduced to Timothy in chapter 16. “Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.” (Acts 16:1-2) (The chapter follows Paul and Silas. I believe that Barnabas and Mark also had an important journey.)
“6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.” (Acts 16:6-12)
When our youth group was having Cottage Prayer Meetings and Tent Meetings in the 70’s there were several young preachers. I can still remember hearing Preacher Tim White preach from this scripture. He told how the Holy Spirit wouldn’t let Paul and Silas go into the surrounding areas, but led them into Macedonia. Preacher White got so excited and said, “He went west! He went west!” He then explained that they carried the gospel in the direction that would save the people of our heritage. They met Lydia of the city of Thyatira who opened her house to them. People rose up against them and they were beaten and cast into prison, but the Lord released them.
“25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.” (Acts 16:25-40)
TUESDAY
THE UNKNOWN GOD
Do you remember Jason? I don’t think I have ever heard a sermon on Jason. But, he must have received Paul and Silas and was included in those that “turned the world upside down”.
“6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.” (Acts 17:6-9)
My favorite section in this chapter is Paul’s message from Mars’ hill.
“22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:22-31)
WEDNESDAY
Believers Who Helped Paul
The believers of the early church used opposition as an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. I am sharing my personal problems to praise my Lord. My wonderful Lord has been with me through every storm. God has given me peace that He will always be with me. I had cancer surgery last December and another surgery in February of this year. The last CT Scan shows that I have a nodule in my lung that has increased in size and the doctors think it is cancer. I am scheduled for surgery next Tuesday, November 10th. God has given me peace about this. I mention my trials hoping that someone may be encouraged to know that there are others going through storms like they may be experiencing. I also know that God hears and answers the prayers of His children. I appreciate your prayers.
Today let’s look at some of the believers who were a help to Paul. Chapter 18 opens with Aquila and Priscilla. They were tentmakers like Paul and he stayed with them. Later in the chapter they help Apollos have a better understanding of the “way of God.” Silas and Timotheus travelled from Macedonia, and Justus is also named as, “one that worshipped God.” Chapter 19 tells of some miracles by Paul. Even with the good that was accomplished, there were still those who caused problems for the believers.
“24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” (Acts 19:24-41)
THURSDAY
More Trouble At Jerusalem
We meet more of Paul’s companions in Acts 20:5. “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas.” Luke is also with Paul at this time, as he uses the pronouns, “us” and “we”. At Troas Paul was preaching until midnight and a man named Eutychus fell asleep while sitting in the window of the third loft. He fell from the window and died, and Paul raised him from the dead. Paul continued on his journey to go to Jerusalem and some warned him not to go. “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.” (Acts 21:4)
“8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:8-14)
Paul was seized in the temple by the Jews.
“27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place…
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.” (Acts 21:27-34)
In chapter 22 he stood from the stairs and gave his witness to all. He told how the Lord stopped him as he was on the road to Damascus. When Paul said that the Lord sent him to the Gentiles, the Jews got mad again and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.” (Acts 22:22) When the soldiers were about to punish Paul, he told them that he was a Roman, and they let him go the next day.
FRIDAY
God's Word Was Paul's Guarantee
Paul was being questioned and he saw that some were Pharisees and the others were Sadducees. He told them he was called in because of his belief in the resurrection. This caused a dissension between the two groups because the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees did. When both groups were pulling on Paul, the soldiers rescued him from the crowd. “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11) God’s Word was His guarantee to the faithful Apostle. More than forty Jews banded together and said they would not eat or drink until they killed Paul. Paul’s nephew heard it and told Paul, who told the Romans. “And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.” (Acts 23:23-24)
Pastor Rick Byerly recently spoke from this chapter in Acts.
1. The world is a place of Division, just as the religious leaders were divided.
2. The world is a place that is Devious, against God, against the church, and against Christianity.
3. The world is a place of Darkness, and many today are choosing darkness instead of light.
4. Our God is a God of Devotion.
5. Our God is a God of Deliverance! And His Word is our guarantee!
SATURDAY
The Unbelief Of Felix, Festus, And King Agrippa
This is where we meet Felix, King Agrippa and Festus. I have spoken of them often. “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:24-25) In chapter 25 Paul appealed to Caesar. Paul was taken before King Agrippa, and he witnessed to him of how he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.
“22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.” (Acts 26:22-32)
