Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“And as I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave them the same gift as also to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” And when they heard these things, they became silent and praised God, saying, “Then God has granted the repentance leading to life to the Gentiles also!”” (Acts 11:15-18)

In chapter 11, word was spreading about what happened in Caesarea. When Peter got back to Jerusalem, the church demanded to know what he had been up to? How DARE he go into a Gentile home! Peter explained everything that happened. How God had led him there. And how God moved among the Gentiles, giving them Holy Spirit and salvation. The believers who went with Peter backed up everything he said. The church was AMAZED. And they got behind it. If that was what God wanted, so be it. The gospel would be preached to EVERYONE and not just the Jews. This was great timing because those who had been scattered in the persecution had spread as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. They had begun spreading the message everywhere and God was moving everywhere. Many were believing. The church sent Barnabas to check it out and he verified it. Many people were added to the church. Barnabas knew they would need good, solid teaching. So he went to Tarsus and collected Saul, bringing him back to Antioch and they spent a year there teaching that church. Interestingly, it was in that city – Antioch – that the believers in Jesus were first called Christians – it was meant as a mocking title, seeing as they were walking around and acting just like Jesus, saying and doing the same things He had done.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of chapter twelve, King Herod was agitated. He didn’t like this whole movement. So He killed James, the brother of John. The religious elite liked this. And Herod saw that they liked this. So he imprisoned Peter with the intent to do the same to him. While Peter was sleeping in prison – chained to two soldiers, one on either side – an angel appeared to him. Peter was at total peace in spite of what he was facing. When he saw the angel, he thought it was a dream or vision. The angel led him out of the prison and left him on the street. That’s when Peter realised it was really happening. He rushed to the home of the believers and told them everything that was going on. Peter didn’t stay there. He went elsewhere to remain hidden and the next day travelled to Caesarea. Herod, who had tried to stop the gospel message, died. But the Word was spreading.

Chapter thirteen opens in Antioch. Holy Spirit told the church – as they were fasting and worshipping – that He wanted Barnabas and Saul set apart for a mission, sent as apostles from the Antioch church. The elders obeyed. They continued to fast and pray. They laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, appointing them to go out on a missionary journey. Off they went and with them (among others) went John Mark (later author of the gospel of Mark). Through Seleucia, to Cyprus, to Salamis, and then through the whole island of Paphos. It was there that they had a run in with a false prophet who had the ear of the proconsul. The proconsul wanted to hear what Saul (now called Paul) and Barnabas were all about. Although they came, the false prophet interfered, diverting the attention of the proconsul. Paul was filled with Holy Spirit and condemned the false prophet’s actions, declaring he was to be blind for a time. Which IMMEDIATELY happened. It was great evidence that Saul and Barnabas spoke with authority and God backed them up with His power.

Next, the two men and their companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark left them there to return to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas left Perga and travelled to Pisidia, which also had a city named Antioch. There they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and listened to all that was read. The Jews there gave them an opportunity to speak. Paul stood and gave a great speech. He proclaimed the gospel message, taking them through the scriptures and pointing out the role and identity of Jesus as Saviour of humanity. It is very reminiscent of the speech Stephen gave during his trial. When they left the synagogue, the Gentiles wanted the message preached to them the next Sabbath. That next week almost the whole city turned out to hear Paul and Barnabas. The Jews who ran the synagogue were jealous. They contradicted what Paul said, standing against him and his interpretation of the scriptures. They totally denied Jesus in every way. Paul and Barnabas told them that it was right and good to preach the message to Jews first. But since they were rejecting the message, they would preach it to the Gentiles. And they did. Many were saved. Word spread, the message was preached, and the whole region (Jews and Gentiles) was thrilled. Except the religious Jews who rejected the message. They stirred up the officials of the towns against Paul and Barnabas, starting persecution of them and their ministry. They forced them out of the region, so they left Antioch of Pisidia and went rejoicing to Iconium.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Apostles, Saul, Ananias, Peter, Cornelius, Jews

Key Verse(s): Acts 11:22-30; 12:13-19; 13:32-39