Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 12

"Then Peter came to himself and said, 'Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.'" 

Acts 12:11

Revelation. A comprehension of God’s presence. A holy uncovering that removes the shroud of mystery and unveils a magnificent God. A recognition, both astounding and astonishing, that God has chosen to make Himself known.  

Revelations reflect God’s desire to draw close to His creation, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with us. The more cognizant we are to revelations, the less puzzling God’s ways or character seem. Although we will not be able to wholly appreciate the fullness of an infinite God within this lifetime, we can find deep contentment in knowing that the Lord reaches out to us so our fellowship with Him can be established and strengthened. 

For many years I associated revelations with majestic miracles and grand displays of God’s power. I confined them to dreamy glimpses of God’s heavenly splendor, assuming they were reserved for the privileged few, or the spiritually elite. But an incident several years ago helped me understand the primary component of a revelation is spiritual in nature, rather than physical. At the time, I was in the midst of an emotional crisis. Still reeling from the aftermath of my removal from a ministry position and thereby a church fellowship (mentioned before in my blog posting on Acts 7), I yearned to find meaning in the chaotic mess of adversity. Struggling to gain hope and understanding, I had many unanswered questions. Would my recent ministry wounds ever heal? Would I serve in ministry again? Would my family unite with another church body that presented us as much depth and connection as the one we had previously enjoyed? Such considerations plagued me daily.    

I came to a crossroads. Two paths stood before me: the path of resentment and the path of reliance. Resentment entailed self-dependence, which meant I could allow a host of self-destructive thoughts to hold sway over me. Reliance, on the other hand, meant I could yield control of my life to God and allow His priorities and values to take hold of me. I admitted to God that I honestly did not know how to let reliance reign over my distressed spirit. I wanted to experience victorious faith but I had never systematically or incrementally applied it to my life. When I exhausted all my excuses for why I was not as spiritually strong as I could be, I called out to God. My prayer was a candid confession of my shortcomings: I am not the man I want to be. I’m tired of living in the shadow of regrets. I’m tired of feeling like I am a failure. I worry so easily and doubt so quickly. I second guess myself. I second guess my role in Your plan. The criticism of others tears me up. I feel as though I do not possess the courage it takes to tarry on. Help me God. I’m ready to learn what it means to live by faith, not by sight. I’m ready to stop looking behind me. I’m ready to journey ahead. Will You lead me? May my eyes stay affixed to Your Word and my heart dedicated to honoring Your ways. Make every day a day I celebrate the joy of knowing You, both in Spirit and in truth. 

When my supplication concluded, I instantly felt a substantial sense of assurance. I did not fully grasp the process required to attain spiritual maturity, but I trusted God would show me. He made it clear that the first step on the path to regeneration was to commit time daily, without fail, to Scripture. If I wanted to know the heart of God then I had to know His Word, His moral compass for humanity. If I wanted His direction in my life then I had to abide by biblical principles. I devoted myself to studying Scripture every morning. What resulted was nothing short of a series of personal revelations. I saw God’s truth in a greater context. I felt His love in a greater way. My faith surged. My doubts diminished. My outlook brightened. I understood God had not abandoned me in my hardship. He was still very present with me. 

Revelations abounded in the days that surrounded my emotional storm. Every moment I surrendered to reading the Bible, I was immediately immersed in the nearness of God. Morning after morning, He affirmed His concern for me and exchanged my pain for His peace. I was so moved by His comforting company that I started documenting the divine encouragement that nourished my soul. Scriptural knowledge that had once so easily eluded me now lovingly overwhelmed me. Thanks to the power and revelation of God, reliance overcame resentment.

The apostle Peter had many personal revelations throughout his life, one of which is recorded in Acts 12. It provides ample inspiration. In Acts 8:1, the religious community in Jerusalem developed and sanctioned a great persecution campaign against Christianity. This effort was carried out in large part by Saul, who eventually embraced the gospel message through a dramatic introduction to Jesus on the road to Damascus. As a result of that encounter, Saul submitted belief in Christ as Lord and Savior. With Saul no longer spearheading the charge against believers, the religious establishment’s fervor against the faith eventually subsided and the church enjoyed a time of peace (Acts 9:31). But persecution later reemerged because of civil leadership in Jerusalem (rather than the religious leadership) according to Acts 12. 

At the time, King Herod Agrippa I ruled over the Judean region. Herod Agrippa I was the grandson of King Herod, the man who governed Palestine when Jesus was born. King Herod, also known as Herod I, or Herod the Great, was so enamored with power that he murdered young male children in Bethlehem when he learned of a prophecy that predicted a Bethlehem-born baby would rule Israel (Matthew 2). Little did Herod the Great know that the kingdom the text in Micah 5:2 was addressing was a heavenly reign, not an earthly one.  

King Herod Agrippa I inherited his grandfather’s proclivity for violence and intimidation as a mechanism to maintain control over his subjects. Acts 12:1 states he arrested people belonging to the church with the intention of persecuting, harming, and silencing them. He loathed their mission and their message. He poured the full wrath of his fury upon Christians by committing his military might and resources to crushing the evangelistic movement. King Herod Agrippa I began by maltreating lesser known disciples, but it did not appease his depraved appetite. As is often the case, sin unchecked begets more sin. Therefore, King Herod Agrippa I set his sights on more influential believers, specifically the apostles. He captured James, John’s brother, who occupied a unique place in Jesus’ ministry, along with Peter and John. Recall James, Peter, and John were asked to accompany Christ to a mountain where He was transfigured momentarily into His glory-filled form (Matthew. 17:1-2). It was James, Peter and John who were summoned to the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ needed encouragement and support in the final hours before Calvary (Matthew 26:36-37). Interestingly, Jesus nicknamed James and John the “sons of thunder” when He appointed them as apostles per Mark 3:17, which denotes James had a commanding voice, spirit, and role in the church. 

James was a person of seniority and importance. He likely possessed a powerful presentation as he preached throughout Jerusalem, but this also made him a prime target for King Herod Agrippa I’s rage. God’s greatest servants are often the greatest victims of malice by their fellow man. Shortly after James was imprisoned, he was executed. His trial and punishment were performed swiftly, and in a non-public manner. Eventually, the news of this spread throughout the Jewish community, receiving the approval of some within the Jewish society, which only further motivated King Herod Agrippa I to pursue the remaining apostles. 

King Herod Agrippa I later apprehended Peter, opting to hold him in custody until the end of a religious feast. This provided King Herod Agrippa I an opportunity to make a spectacle of Peter’s death to a large audience since people from surrounding regions journeyed into Jerusalem to partake in the sacred observance. King Herod Agrippa I assigned sixteen soldiers to secure Peter, going so far as to chain some of the soldiers directly to the apostle to help ensure his inability to escape. The decision to keep Peter in prison for the duration of the religious feast allowed the church in Jerusalem to fervently pray for his safety, which many believers did. 

The night before Peter’s trial, an angel of the Lord entered his jail cell. Waking the apostle from his slumber, God’s agent broke apart the chains that had bound him. Guiding Peter past a series of prison guards, who were either stricken with a deep sleep or too terrified to attempt to prevent the angel from carrying out his mission, the angel and Peter exited the jail. The pair passed through a gate blockading the entrance into Jerusalem, which opened as they neared it. They walked down a city street before the angel suddenly disappeared. 

Up until that point, Peter assumed he had been dreaming. Breathing in the open air of freedom, the truth quickly dawned on him: God had miraculously rescued him from King Herod Agrippa I’s impending death mandate. As Peter contemplated his most spectacular revelation in Acts 12:11, he declared, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.” Absorbed in amazement, Peter perceived the hand of God was in the sequence of events that brought about his liberty. His revelation provides three elements that bear exploration. One, revelations spur acceptance. Peter’s statement in Acts 12:11 opened with the word, “Now,” signaling there was a departure from one thought and the embracement of another. Peter could not ignore what had just taken place. His freedom was not the byproduct of wishful thinking or a desperate dream. It was a divine moment in which God interceded and changed Peter’s circumstances.

Humanity has a tendency to allow the boastful acts of man to intimidate us. If we are outnumbered or overpowered, we often assume there is no hope of avoiding a fateful end. But with God, there are no impossible obstacles. With God, there are no stronger foes. God’s will and power triumphed over Herod and shattered the wayward king’s devious plot. As ironclad and unstoppable as Herod’s scheme appeared it could not thwart the mightiness of the Almighty. Peter recognized and accepted the revelation of God’s heavenly aid.

Two, revelations spur acknowledgment. Peter proclaimed he knew without a doubt that God had sent an angel to rescue him. If there was any reservation in Peter’s mind that God could, or would, save him from his dire predicament, it was quickly cast aside. The shackles that once chained Peter lay empty on a dark, prison floor, proving no person or plan is greater than God. Peter not only acknowledged the work of the Lord, he praised God for it.
Peter immediately went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark. John Mark was a fellow believer and relative of Barnabas (Colossians. 4:10), who would later become an assistant in Saul and Barnabas’s missionary efforts (Acts 13:5). One might expect to find Mary’s home quiet as Peter’s jail break occurred in the evening hours, but Peter arrived at Mary’s home and found people actively engaged in supplication for him. The believers cared more about praying for a dear friend and church family member than they did about entertaining sleep. The prayers of the righteous are not only upright, they are unfailing. Peter would come to write in his first epistle, dedicated to Christians scattered abroad, that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers (1 Peter 3:12), which cites Psalm 34:15.
Peter acknowledged God’s sovereignty, knowing it is able to foil the most destructive efforts of man, even kings. He told the believers in Mary’s house about his incredible release. It was a pronouncement that was probably told many times over. It is worth noting that Peter told the believers assembled in Mary’s house to tell James and the brothers about what happened. This James is obviously not the apostle James that was the brother of the apostle John for James the apostle was murdered by King Herod Agrippa I shortly before this account. The logical conclusion is that the James Peter was referring to was the half-brother of Jesus, who went on to occupy a prominent role in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13, Acts 20:18, and Galatians 1:19). 
Three, revelations spur adoration. Peter decreed the Lord broke him away from Herod’s grasp. “Lord” is a term which represents God’s awesome strength and majesty. It identifies God as the One Who established the parameters of this world and marvels at His ability to defy earth’s natural properties and boundaries. Furthermore, the word “Lord” observes God as a holy God, Who is clad with eminence and imparts wisdom upon mankind.
Peter adored God for what He did. What was once so disheartening, detention in a jail cell, became an amazing testimony. What was once so improbable, evading immediate death, was now a reality. Peter’s heart swelled with affection for the Lord Who is able to give life, as well as protect it. Eternity’s King acts directly in our lives and reveals Himself to us. What a profoundly wonderful consideration. It’s worthy of acceptance, acknowledgment, and adoration. 
What became of the wicked King Herod Agrippa I, the man who was bent on executing the apostles? Perhaps humiliated and ashamed that he was unable to deliver the public martyrdom of Peter, he left Jerusalem to stay in Caesarea. Soon after, a quarrel broke out between King Herod Agrippa I and the citizens of Tyre and Sidon. A truce was eventually called for, which culminated with an address by King Herod Agrippa I to people of Tyre and Sidon. As the king spoke, the audience claimed Herod was more than a mortal, he was a god. King Herod Agrippa I did not refute them, nor condemn them for their blasphemy. It would seem King Herod Agrippa I believed there was some element of truth in their false praise.
Contrast King Herod Agrippa I’s mentality to the disposition of Peter, who upon meeting Cornelius the centurion told Cornelius he was merely a man when Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet in reverence (Acts 10:26). King Herod Agrippa I did not exhibit such humility. He basked in the tribute of mankind. When likened to a divine authority, he believed the notion to be credible. God reckoned King Herod Agrippa I’s prideful state and sent an angel to slay him. The legacy King Herod Agrippa I had strained so hard to cement in history was forever marred by his lowly, shameful death. The lofty places pride drives people to ascend can be so easily demolished by God. 

After Herod’s demise, the word of God continued to increase and spread (Acts 12:24). Amazingly, the more the church was attacked and persecuted, the more it grew. Perhaps the real substance of belief is not as evident until it is tested in the fire of affliction for only then can some people outside the church accept the validity of faith, or see the genuineness of sacrificial living. Coincidentally, King Herod Agrippa I was the prisoner, not Peter. He was the one chained to a life of conceitedness, haughtiness, and self-centeredness, which thereby prevented him from beholding and responding to the revelations of God.       

When was the last time you accepted, acknowledged, or adored a revelation of God?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 11

"The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord."

Acts 11:21

         Providence. A manifestation of God’s governance. The confirmation of His authoritative control. The proof of His majestic existence. The evidence that He rules the world with a mighty hand and a loving heart.   
Providence is a theme repeated throughout the Bible. David claimed nature testifies to God’s providence when he wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). Nehemiah, mindful of God’s providence, declared, “And because the gracious hand of God was upon me, the king granted my requests” (Nehemiah 2:8). God continues to reveal His influence in our lives today, which I was first made aware of through a story my mother shared with me when I was younger, a story that exposed me to the awe-inspiring quality of God’s providence. 

When Mom was twenty-two she accepted a teaching position at a middle school in Kansas City, Missouri, which required her to relocate from Oklahoma to Missouri. The sole negative aspect of the move was that it put considerable distance between Mom and Grandmother. At the time, Grandmother resided in Clinton, a rural town in Western Oklahoma. Grandmother and Mom were very close. They had endured many hardships, including the passing of Grandfather when Mom was just six years old. One might expect that the numerous hardships would have produced cynical spirits, or weakened Mom and Grandmother’s relationship, but the opposite was true. The hardships strengthened their personal resolve to entrust life’s circumstances to God. It drew them nearer to God and thereby nearer to each other, which is what made my mother’s settling in Kansas City, a city some four hundred miles away from Clinton, that much harder to accept. 

Mom often drove to Clinton on weekends to visit Grandmother. It came about one Friday morning that Mom arrived at school intending to travel to Clinton as soon as her last class concluded that afternoon at 4:00 PM. As the school day was ending, Mom was informed that she would have to attend the school’s basketball game that evening. Every teacher was required to participate in a chaperoning rotation to help ensure students behaved appropriately at school-sponsored functions, including athletic events. This obligation meant Mom would have to leave five hours later than she had originally planned. Mom knew she might experience fatigue trekking to Clinton in the twilight hours, but she determined she could complete the trip without succumbing to exhaustion. After the basketball game concluded, Mom got in her car and began the seven hour road trip.

Around 12:00 AM, Mom was overwhelmed with drowsiness and slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. Her frequent attempts to jerk herself awake were futile. Eventually, she fell completely asleep. Her car drifted off the interstate highway into an adjacent field. As Mom sped through high grass, the car jostled because of the uneven surface, which startled her awake. She immediately corrected her course by easing the car back onto the highway. Infused with a renewed source of energy and fully cognizant, Mom made the trip home, some three more hours, without further incident. Embarrassed about falling asleep while driving, Mom planned to avoid telling Grandmother about it because she feared Grandmother would discourage her from making future weekend trips to Clinton. 

At 3 AM, Mom pulled into Grandmother’s driveway. Since it was not Grandmother’s custom to stay up late, Mom was surprised to see a light on in the house. When Mom stepped inside Grandmother’s house, Grandmother was sitting at the kitchen table reading her Bible. Grandmother asked Mom how she felt. Mom nonchalantly replied, “Fine”. Grandmother then inquired as to whether anything significant had transpired in the course of the trip. Convicted to abandon her predetermined scheme not to unveil what actually occurred, Mom told Grandmother about drifting into a field after falling asleep temporarily around 12:00 AM. Grandmother responded she felt she had been supernaturally aroused from her slumber at that exact hour. Because she sensed the Holy Spirit prompting her to urgently pray for Mom’s safety, Grandmother got out of bed, knelt down on the floor, and entered into a time of supplication. She beseeched God to protect her daughter and let no harm come to her. Because she was so concerned for Mom’s wellbeing, Grandmother stayed up the remainder of Mom’s trip in order to pray Mom home. That day Mom and Grandmother shed many joyful tears, attune to the fact that God’s providence had orchestrated an incredible work.

Acts 11 provides details of incredible works of God too, which underscore the Lord's providential hand. But before Luke recorded some events surrounding God’s potent nature, he wrote about a weakness that momentarily surfaced and caused much commotion. The news that Gentiles in Caesarea had received Christ’s wondrous salvation through the God-ordained meeting of the apostle Peter and a Roman centurion named Cornelius, as recorded in Acts 10, eventually made its way to Jerusalem. When Peter came back to Jerusalem some believers criticized him for entering Cornelius’s home. Because we often tend to overlook the shortcomings of the early church apostles and disciples in light of their effective efforts to usher in a great many believers, we sometimes forget that they were susceptible to faults. Thus we find one such failing listed here. The Hebrew-raised disciples had difficultly consenting to extending the offer of grace to people of Gentile backgrounds. In their minds, such pagans were unworthy of God’s redemptive blessing. This destructively discriminatory attitude therefore prohibited Gentiles, by and large, from hearing the gospel message.  

Peter relayed the sequence of events that led to his Caesarean journey and how God had made it abundantly clear that salvation was equally necessary and merited for Gentile audiences. Perhaps Peter’s testimony bore more credibility than most as he was likeliest one of the strongest proponents of isolating grace to the Jewish community. If Peter was guided to preach to a Gentile household then surely God had approved and sanctioned a widespread, global gospel mission, which entailed a Gentile evangelism crusade. At the conclusion of Peter’s remarks, the disciples in Jerusalem had no further objections. They recognized the hand of God and praised Him by proclaiming, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18).           

Acts 11 then documents how the word of truth made additional expeditions into Gentile hearts, principally in the city of Antioch. Located some twenty miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea in ancient Syria, Antioch was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. It contained a very sizeable Gentile population. Acts 11:19 states disciples traveled as far as Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch to tell others of Christ. They originally witnessed to Jewish people in those regions, but thanks to the spiritual labor of Christians from Cyrene and Cyprus, the legacy of Jesus Christ was shared with Greek individuals in Antioch, which ignited a great spiritual awakening. Antioch would later become the launching point for each of Saul’s three missionary journeys.       

When the church in Jerusalem learned that many Gentile salvation experiences had taken place in Antioch, the disciples sent one of their foremost leaders, Barnabas, to investigate the report and establish a correspondence with the young church. Barnabas was a commendable representative to minister in Antioch for his primary attribute, and spiritual gift it would seem, was encouragement, which explains why the apostles called him Barnabas (meaning “son of encouragement”) instead of his birth name: Joseph (meaning “adding”). Already in Acts, Barnabas was identified as having a propensity to encourage the church fellowship. He sold a field and donated the proceeds to the church for ministry use (Acts 4:36) and he vouched for Saul when the believers in Jerusalem refused to meet with the infamous persecutor because they assumed Saul’s salvation was a ploy to infiltrate the church and further disrupt it (Acts 9:26-27). Barnabas’s heartening disposition was therefore aptly suited to spur and advance the work that was underway in Antioch.     

When Barnabas reached Antioch he quickly found God’s liberating change abounded with the people. He implored the believers there to remain loyal and faithful to the Lord. He encouraged them to hold fast to God with all their heart. Barnabas’s words and actions, with the providence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, ushered in even more believers. In yet another confirmation of Barnabas’s desire to promote the goodness of God, he left Antioch to find Saul who was presently living in Tarsus, Saul’s hometown. He had come to reside there after some disciples in Jerusalem transferred him out of the city of David for his own protection according to Acts 9. This event caused Saul to temporarily fade from the scene for a substantial period, which might have tarried indefinitely had Barnabas not retrieved Saul and reestablished him in a prominent ministry role. 

That Barnabas would seek out Saul and invite him to come to Antioch speaks volumes about Barnabas’s character. He did this likely knowing Saul’s ability to preach would soon overshadow his ability to encourage. Barnabas recognized Saul’s giftedness of wisdom, knowledge, and evangelism. He sought to put it to use, even if it meant his scope of impact would diminish in comparison to Saul’s. In fact, from this point forward, Saul became the foremost agent in their missionary partnership (Acts 14:12).     

Saul accepted Barnabas’s beckoning and went with him to Antioch. For over a year, they taught the believers there. Luke records that disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26). The word “Christian”, which means “little Christ”, was likely an insulting designation non-believers ascribed to a people whose teachings they could not understand. But the title became one that the disciples in Antioch embraced for it affiliated them with Jesus, the Messiah. Regardless of the circumstances that introduced the Christian label into societal dialogue, the term is a banner that has proudly lasted for some two thousand years.      

In Acts 11:21, Luke conveyed the Lord’s hand was upon the missionaries who shared their faith in Antioch. God helped them successfully communicate the limitless worth of Christ’s love. In essence, divine providence was critical for people to readily hear and receive the message of faith. Through this narrative, we find three key characteristics of God’s providence. One, God’s providence confirms God’s power. The hand was frequently referenced in the Bible to figuratively illustrate God’s supremacy. Moses testified of God’s dominion when he told the Israelites, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand” (Exodus 13:3). David praised God for His supremacy when he wrote, “My times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Even Jesus brought attention to God’s unyielding clutch when He cried from the cross, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). 

To say that the Lord’s hand was involved in bringing the people of Antioch into a saving relationship with Christ reinforces the essentiality of God’s participation in human affairs. Although we often try to ignore our desperate natural condition, mankind is devoid of hope without God’s intercession. We are weak without Him, but strong in Him. In other words, we serve a God Who comes to the aid of His people and makes available His great power, and can help us in our time of distress. 

Two, God’s providence confirms God’s presence. There is a pervasive connection to God’s intervention in Acts 11:21. God was not passively watching the toil of His disciples being carried out; He was right alongside them. Overseeing them. Guiding them. Assisting them. Blessing them. Clearly, God fostered the spiritual climate in Antioch so that the people would be amenable to the Christ-centered messages being presented to them. But God also engaged Himself in the disciples’ work by way of the Holy Spirit.

As tempting as it may be to dismiss God’s presence, especially in challenging circumstances, God intimately cares for us and seeks to be actively immersed in the events of our lives. He does not tire of intimate fellowship with us. He does not grow weary of us, despite our many transgressions. He longs to be near to us and to extend us mercy in order to restore us to a right standing with Him. 

The notion that God does not concern Himself with us nor desires to intercede on our behalf is not supported by biblical passages such as this. People sometimes argue that God allows tragedies to occur without any trace of concern or action, thereby abandoning mankind in our darkest hours. Such thinking is grossly incorrect. God loves us immensely and is ever concerned with hardships that befall us. In fact, Psalm 56:8 says God counts and records every tear that we shed. This Old Testament verse does not reflect an emotionally detached, coldhearted God, but rather a sensitive, embracing God, a God Who yearns to have His presence known and enjoyed by His people.    

Three, God’s providence confirms God’s purpose. Not only was God’s hand upon the disciples witnessing, His hand was upon the people listening for many turned to the Lord. God’s purpose is that humanity will find salvation though His Son. The apostle John wrote, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). God’s providence includes the intention for mankind to find forgiveness for our sins through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice at Calvary. 

Antioch became one of the most important cities responsible for the spread of Christianity in the first century, second only to Jerusalem perhaps. This did not happen by chance; it happened because it was God’s will. The Lord changed the spiritual landscape of the world so that many would arise and pronounce Jesus is their Savior. God’s providence gives us precisely what we require for life’s journey. In His care we find the strength to carry on. The courage to not give in to doubt or disappointment. The faith to entrust every day to God. The motivation to believe God is able to do abundantly more than we ever could do on our own.

Acts 11 closes with a prophecy that was delivered in Antioch, yet another confirmation of God’s providence. Some disciples from Jerusalem went to Antioch after Paul and Barnabas had ministered in the Syrian city for over a year. One of those disciples, a man named Agabus, foresaw that a severe famine would spread across the Roman Empire, a prediction that was rendered through the power of the Holy Spirit. Moved to provide for the needs that would soon be appearing in the Judean region, believers in Antioch gave according to their ability. Their benevolence was likely focused on Jerusalem because it was the epicenter of the Christian movement, and was therefore primarily responsible for the gospel’s pilgrimage to Antioch. The gratitude for salvation produced a generosity that would serve and satisfy many upcoming needs. Committing their donations to Paul and Barnabas for transport to the elders in Jerusalem, the disciples in Antioch responded to God’s providential foresight in a transparent, timeless fashion.    

When was the last time you praised God for His providence?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 10

"He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly."

-Acts 10:2

     Generosity. A philanthropic spirit. A charitable heart. A needs-based vision. A motivation that not only identifies the burdensome load of others, but seeks to lighten it.    

     The human temperament is a self-centered one. It takes, steals, and restricts others from sharing in the material blessings bestowed upon it. Contrast this egocentrism with the nature of God, which is benevolent, charitable, and generous. In relinquishing control of our lives to God through faith and accepting God’s value system, we receive access to the Holy Spirit’s giving disposition. We discover the pursuit to enlarge personal holdings, or obstinately fence in what is currently in one’s possession, becomes less and less appealing. The stronger and more active our relationship with God becomes the more our character is divinely influenced. When we draw near to God and let His precepts govern us we become tenderhearted people, rather than tightfisted people. 

     Several months ago my family underwent a rough stretch financially. Although our family had long employed sound fiscal planning, including a disciplined budget and the incorporation of an emergency fund, we could not seem to avoid some financial hemorrhaging. The accumulation of numerous medical bills temporarily derailed our money management system and took a considerable portion out of our emergency fund. For a season, it seemed as though every week someone in our family needed to see a specialist or have a prescription refilled. It got to the point that my wife, Dawn, and I dreaded opening the mailbox, lest we find another payment invoice from a doctor’s office. 

     Dawn and I were apprehensive as to how we would pull ourselves out of the financial pit. Caught up in the barrage of medical bills, we momentarily forgot that God is our great Deliverer and neglected to place our faith in the God Who knows no impossibilities. One morning, I awoke and entered into a time of biblical study and prayer. Although this was, and is, my daily habit, I approached this particular study with a sense of desperation, a longing to know God’s comfort. The emotional ache caused by the financial hardship demanded relief in God’s Word and produced a need for intense worship, which I experienced that day. Searching for reassurance, God showered me with it. The Holy Spirit convicted me to quit worrying and exercise trust instead. My fretfulness was overshadowed by the calming, supernatural belief that God would provide for my family. 

     Later that morning, I told Dawn about the encouragement and insight the Holy Spirit had given me. We both had been in a stressful state as a result of the medical bills, but it was time to let the stress go. We needed to stop looking at numbers and start looking to God. I sensed a peace about the matter and felt sure that we would find a way to a level financial footing. That very afternoon, one of Dawn’s friends came by our house and dropped off an envelope. Inside the envelope was $500. Unbeknownst to us, Dawn’s friend and her husband felt burdened for our family. They knew we had amassed several medical bills and had been praying about how they could help us, which led to their incredible act of generosity.    

     That event was one of the most powerful movements of God’s hand I have ever experienced. My family had a need and God responded to that need by moving in the heart of another family, a family who assisted us in my family’s dark hour. The generosity we received not only provided us a timely financial blessing, it provided us a spiritual blessing, powerfully signifying that generosity is superior to greed and giving is greater than receiving. 

     Serving God generates a generous spirit and yields a supreme satisfaction, a satisfaction than cannot be found by conceitedly serving ourselves. The Holy Spirit-inspired desire to give characterized many of the first century Christians. As was previously reviewed in Acts 4, some believers went so far as to sell their homes and property in order to present all of the proceeds to the apostles, entrusting God’s messengers to distribute it appropriately. Modern-day Christians can glean much from the example of generosity that characterized the early church. In Acts 10, Luke introduces us to a man who resided in Caesarea named Cornelius, a man, consequently, who was renowned for his generosity. 

     Luke’s commentary is very complimentary of Cornelius. According to Acts 10:1, Cornelius and his family diligently served God. Cornelius gave generously to those in need, and he prayed to God regularly. He was a man who exercised spiritual discipline and consistently sought to honor God in his conduct. Luke also records that Cornelius was a Roman centurion, which meant that he was a career soldier, and a senior officer. Such military responsibility was not handed out liberally in the Roman government; it was reserved for the courageous, skillful, disciplined, and proven warriors. If Gentiles were viewed with disdain by Jewish community, then Roman military were disliked even more so. After all, their presence constantly reminded the Israelites that they were a conquered people, living under the framework and demands of the Roman government. In essence, the Roman military represented Israel’s oppression. And yet somehow Cornelius had become a devout follower of God.

     Although Philip went to Caesarea and preached the gospel there for many years (Acts 8:40 and Acts 21:8), it did not appear Cornelius had received the entirety of Jesus’ story from Philip or any other Christians. What Cornelius knew of Jesus ended in Christ’s death and was therefore incomplete, as would be revealed in his exchange with the apostle Peter later in Acts 10. It would seem that Cornelius was a proselyte of the Jewish faith, which would explain his God-fearing designation and devotion to orderly prayer (observed daily during precise times).    

     Before delving into the rest of the account in Acts 10, Cornelius’s spirit of generosity presents three aspects that bear examination. One, generosity is evident in its activity. Cornelius intentionally and humbly set aside some of his income in order to offer it to those who were starving, downtrodden, hard-pressed, and broken. This account does not indicate Cornelius’s generosity was a one-time charitable act; it implies his giving was an ongoing, systematic display of God’s love. It was proof that he possessed a spirit of thanksgiving.

     Cornelius had a healthy fear and respect of God. It dominated his heart. Rather than pass by or turn a blind eye to those suffering, Cornelius did something about it. He became a charitable vessel, extending the needy assistance and hope. Mankind does not naturally exercise a giving spirit. We tend to view this life as a means to a selfish end. We have expectations and demand entitlements. Truth be told, we are not owed anything. Everything we have comes from God. Our Maker graciously entrusts us with life so that we will come to know Him, enjoy Him, be fulfilled in Him, and honor him. Cornelius grasped this better than most. He mirrored the generous nature of God through his wholehearted activity. 

     Two, generosity is evident in its abundance. Cornelius not only gave to those in need, but he gave generously to them. Although he could have donated the bare minimum offering (tithe), Cornelius chose to exceed the bare minimum contribution because the joy God had lavished on him was not a bare minimum gift. As a result, he did not ignore opportunities to relieve the burdens of others; he embraced them. Cornelius was so enamored with God’s all-encompassing love that he felt compelled to offer an all-encompassing response.

     Cornelius was a man of distinction, who did not seek distinction. He gave generously because he recognized his personal fortune was not his to begin with; it was God’s. He did not exhibit a desire for public recognition or have a self-serving through the distribution of his gifts. He gave regardless of whether or not anyone was watching. His legacy speaks to a caring work done for God’s glory, not his own. Much like love, God’s generosity is plentiful and longs to not only be appreciated by believers, but replicated by believers. 

     Three, generosity is evident in its attentiveness. No doubt Cornelius’s faithfulness to prayer provided him a sensitivity and consciousness of those who were poverty-stricken. As a result, he did not neglect their dire condition; he purposefully met them where they were and assisted them. He was attentive to the struggles and pain that plagued the world around him and endeavored, in some small part, to remedy it through his generosity. Clearly, a heart that beseeches God generates hands that are benevolent towards others. Because he knew God, Cornelius was compelled to serve God. He refused to be a spectator. Encouraged and equipped to make a difference in the lives of the destitute and impoverished, Cornelius strove to help the hurting, save the dying, and love the despised. Is this undertaking no less vital today?

     Returning to the narrative in Acts 10, Cornelius was engaged in one of his daily prayer sessions when he was interrupted by the appearance of an angel. The angel of God called Cornelius by name, informing him that his prayers and generous gifts had gone up to heaven as a memorial offering before the Lord. The angel told Cornelius that he needed to send men to Joppa to retrieve the apostle Peter, who was staying in the home of a tanner named Simon. Immediately after the angel of God left Cornelius, Cornelius asked two of his servants, as well as a trustworthy soldier in his regiment, to inquire of Peter and bring him back to Caesarea. The men quickly departed for Joppa. 

     As Cornelius’s messengers neared Joppa, Peter went on top of Simon the Tanner’s house to pray. As Peter entered into prayer he became famished. As a meal was being prepared inside the house below him, Peter fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened up and something like a sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. Peter was shown various animals and asked by an unidentified voice to kill and eat. Peter refused the command because he would not eat anything that had been deemed unclean by Scripture (Old Testament). The divine request was repeated two more times, but Peter would not partake of eating ceremonially unclean animals. Thereafter, the sheet was lifted back to heaven. 

     Unlike Cornelius’s vision of an angel, which yielded direct, literal correspondence, Peter’s vision possessed a figurative application, which required his heart and mind to deeply ponder what he had witnessed. Acts 10:17 reveals Peter was still trying to interpret the meaning of his vision when Cornelius’s messengers arrived at Simon’s house. The Holy Spirit told Peter three men were looking for him and that he did not need to fear going with them for they had been sent by God. Peter went downstairs and met Cornelius’s men. After Cornelius’s couriers explained how Cornelius had come to call upon Peter, Peter invited the men into Simon’s house as guests. 

     The day after Cornelius’s messengers arrived in Joppa, Peter, some fellow disciples, and Cornelius’s men set out for Caesarea. When they reached Cornelius’s home a day later, Peter was greeted with a significant gathering of Cornelius’s extended family and dear friends. Cornelius rightfully expected what Peter was going to say was important and he wanted anyone close to him to hear it. The centurion was so excited and appreciative about Peter’s appearance that he fell at the apostle’s feet in gratitude and reverence, which revealed something about the state of Cornelius’s heart. He was a decorated soldier who was accustomed to the respect and admiration of others, but he relinquished all form of pretentiousness when he encountered one of God’s esteemed witnesses. Peter asked Cornelius to stand and deferred any praise, citing that he was but a man himself. 

     Calling attention to the Jewish regulation that convening and dining inside a Gentile home was unpermitted in Jewish belief, Peter asked Cornelius why he sent for him. Cornelius recounted his holy vision of an angel, concluding his testimony with an earnest desire to listen to everything the Lord was going to say through Peter. Peter instantly understood the significance of his vision a few days prior. He confessed to Cornelius that God’s grace was acceptable for all people, Jewish or Gentile. Peter’s worldview was powerfully altered through the work of the Holy Spirit. God wanted to show Peter that the relational barrier the Jewish people had for so long abided by, in regard to Gentile people, needed to be torn down. It was time for God’s covenantal people to share Christ with other races and other nations. Peter then proceeded to teach about Jesus Christ. 

     Acts 10 intimates Cornelius was somewhat familiar with Jesus’ ministry for Peter twice said the phrase “you know” in his correspondence with him. But what Cornelius lacked was the comprehensive knowledge that Jesus had been raised from the dead and had appeared to several witnesses, including Peter, over a forty day period after His resurrection. This truth confirmed Christ is the Messiah Who can take away the sins of people. As Peter conveyed a life-changing message, the Holy Spirit came upon all those hearing him. 

     Apparently, the belief and confession that Jesus was the Son of God was an unspoken one on the part of Cornelius and his family for they had not yet outwardly uttered a response to Peter’s message when the Holy Spirit filled them. Acts 10:45 says Peter’s traveling companions were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been granted to the Gentiles. The Gentiles began speaking in foreign languages, an event mirroring what transpired at Pentecost in Acts 2 when tongues of fire fell upon the believers in Jerusalem. Cornelius, his family, and his friends were promptly baptized in Jesus’ name. 

     Acts 10 marks a pivotal moment in church history: God’s reaffirmation of His desire for all people, Jewish and Gentile, to hear the gospel message. Jesus expressed this sentiment before He ascended to heaven. He instructed the apostles to go into all nations and tell them about Him (Matthew 28:19). But Christ’s redemptive message had not yet been conveyed, for the most part, to Gentiles by the early church. Although there were likely a few Gentiles who either had attended temple worship in Jerusalem where the apostles preached, or were present in synagogue services in Judea or Samaria where the believers proclaimed Christ, Gentiles, by and large, were outside the evangelistic scope until Cornelius and his family burst forth onto the scene in Acts 10.

     All prior missionary work prior was directed to people of Jewish nationality (even though the Samaritans intermarried with people of foreign nations over time, their bloodline still possessed some trace of Jewish ancestry). The gospel message was given primarily in the Jewish temple and synagogues throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Christianity was, therefore, Jewish-centric initially. The apostles and disciples first reached out to their kinsmen, those who shared in Abraham’s covenant, a covenant that marked its men through circumcision (Genesis 17:11). In the eyes of many Jewish people, the Gentiles were not a covenantal people for they were not circumcised. Therefore, Gentiles were viewed as unworthy of God’s blessing.   

     The evangelistic work to Gentiles started in a most unexpected, but glorious, way in the home of Cornelius the centurion, a man who was noted for his philanthropic nature. Truly, it is remarkable who God can employ in His service. The primary apostles Jesus led and guided during His ministry, James, John, and Peter, were fishermen, hardly a profession known historically for producing giants of faith or world-changers. Then to consider that the illuminating light of Jesus, a light which calls people out of spiritual darkness, began its mission to the Gentile people under the roof of a Roman centurion is quite extraordinary. God has consistently proven His ability to do exceedingly great things through people of assorted backgrounds and trades. All God requires is a godly spirit, and a generous heart. 

Do you exercise a generous heart?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 9

"Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord."

Acts 9:31

     Peace. A still soul. A tranquil spirit. Freedom from disruptive or damaging thoughts. Absolute fulfillment. 

     So often we define peace as the absence of conflict. But in actuality, peace is a spiritual attribute that can be found and exercised in all situations, whether promising or troubling, because it comes from God, the unshakable Maker of heaven and earth. God yields true peace. He gives believers an internal spiritual rest that does not succumb to the weighty pressures of life. Peace does not necessarily mean that broken human relationships will be mended, but it does mean that an individual who chooses to abide with God can experience respite in his or her heart through the blessed touch of God. A symbolic example of God’s abundant and powerful peace occurred just after my son, Jayden, entered this world.    

     Watching Jayden’s delivery unfold was an incredible process. He is my firstborn child. Everything I experienced with his birth was unchartered territory for me, which made it all that much more memorable and meaningful. I remember my wife, Dawn, and I got so caught up in staring at and holding Jayden that over an hour elapsed before we remembered to invite our immediate family members into the hospital room from the waiting area. 

     Jayden was practically motionless in Dawn’s grasp. He was incredibly content to be in his mother’s arms. It was a beautiful sight. A few hours after Jayden’s birth, the medical staff informed us that they needed to review Jayden’s vital signs. A nurse carefully removed Jayden from Dawn’s loving clutch, at which point he became extremely agitated and whiny. After being placed underneath a heat-lamp and stripped naked, he unleashed a series of heart-wrenching guttural sounds. In a fit of confused rage, he started furiously writhing his arms and legs. 

     I walked over to Jayden’s changing station to try and calm him down. Leaning over him, I gently stroked his head and whispered in his ear, “It’s ok Jayden. It’s me, daddy. I know you’re scared but you’re safe. I’m here with you. I love you.” Instantly, Jayden’s thrashing stopped, as did his wailing. Turning his head to face me, Jayden looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and comfort. Realizing Jayden knew my voice, and that it provided him immense reassurance, almost brought me to tears. It was an amazing moment.  

     Not too long after Jayden’s birth, I was reading my Bible when I came across a passage that became so much more significant to me. In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The application this verse had in light of what happened with Jayden floored me. Like a parent soothing the spirit of a terrified child, God has the ability to still my distressed spirit. How many times do I resemble a lost sheep, who has wandered away from the flock? And yet God searches for me when I stray from Him. He, like a shepherd, calls out to me in order to console me and lead me to safety. Will I, like my newborn son, choose to be still and listen to the comforting sound of the voice speaking to me? Or will I choose to ignore the voice of peace, go my own way, and suffer from a constant state of unrest?  
     At a time very few would have expected to see it, God bestowed peace upon the first century believers. In Acts 9:31, God brought about a season of rest from the persecution that had been unleashed on Christians. Acts 9 opens by spotlighting Saul, the man who was the chief antagonist of Christianity, save Satan himself. Commissioned and approved by the Jewish religious leaders to uphold the ancient Hebrew customs and the Mosaic law at all costs, Saul imprisoned men and women of the Christian faith without hesitation or remorse, going so far as to recommend some of them be put to death for their refusal to renounce their beliefs. Acts 9:1 says Saul breathed out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. The desire to suppress and destroy Christianity, even if it meant killing people in cold blood, consumed Saul. Not only did he diligently busy himself with such matters, but it would seem he feasted on it.
     Who was Saul? According to Acts 22, Saul hailed from Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia. Although his birthplace granted him the privilege of Roman citizenry, Saul was raised in a Jewish home. His family lineage traced its heritage to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the two southern tribes that stayed faithful to King David’s royal line when Israel split apart under King Rehoboam’s reign. Throughout the New Testament, Saul revealed an aptitude and hunger for knowledge. In Tarsus, he was educated in both Greek and Hebrew literature. His familiarity of Greek writing was later displayed when he quoted excerpts from Greek poetry in a public debate in Athens (Ac. 17:28). At some point, Saul left Tarsus for Jerusalem in order to study Mosaic law in the Pharisee sect under the esteemed tutelage of Gamaliel, who was briefly introduced earlier in Acts 5:33. Per Acts 7 and 8, Saul was not only present in Jerusalem when the persecution broke out against the church, but he assumed a prominent role in the fierce charge against the Christian faith. 

     Saul was endowed with great intellectual prowess, and yet somehow he had come to believe that the maltreatment and slaughter of Christians was sanctioned by God. He hounded Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem relentlessly. Because of Saul’s vicious actions against the church, the disciples, save the apostles, fled Jerusalem, which allowed the gospel message to be shared in neighboring regions. Saul’s rage and hatred of the disciples’ message were so intense that he was willing to journey to the ends of the earth to snuff out people who proclaimed Jesus is the Messiah. When Saul received word that Christianity had been introduced and accepted in the Syrian city of Damascus, Saul went to the high priest seeking consent to investigate the validity of the report. Saul intended to arrest any who belonged to the faith and haul them back to Jerusalem for trial, and execution if need be. What the high priest specifically said is not recorded but he apparently approved Saul’s shameful request for we read in Acts 9:3 that Saul set out for Damascus.      

      As Saul and some companions neared the outskirts of Damascus, a light from heaven flashed around them. Perhaps humbled by the overwhelming sight of such holy glory, which apparently encased them, Saul fell to the ground, at which point Christ called out to him. Jesus began by pronouncing Saul’s name twice. This technique was frequently employed by Christ when He passionately spoke to those who were seemingly unaware of the perilous state of their hearts during his ministry on earth (see Luke 10:41 and Luke 22:31). Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. The question cut to the heart of matter, as so many of Jesus’ inquiries did in the gospel accounts, and forced Saul to explain his gross misconduct. It is intriguing how Jesus worded the question. Jesus did not ask Saul why he was persecuting believers; Christ asked Saul why he was persecuting Him. Jesus, in essence, stated that Saul’s attack and resistance was not aimed at the disciples, as Saul assumed; it was aimed directly at Christ, and thereby God.  
     Saul, likely in a state of conviction, one which prevented him from being able to justify his violent behavior, asked who was speaking to him. Jesus identified Himself and stated He was the One Saul was persecuting. Christ proceeded to tell Saul that he must go into Damascus and await further instructions. The other men traveling with Saul were dumbfounded and speechless. It would seem that they did not fall to the ground as Saul had for the text reveals they were standing when Saul got off the ground. One wonders if anyone else in Saul’s party felt the guilt or remorse Saul did, even though they were exposed to the same miraculously divine encounter. We read that Saul’s companions helped Saul, who was temporarily blinded, find his way into Damascus, but we do not read that they remained in Damascus with Saul. 
     The claim that Christ was the God-Man, Who was resurrected from death, which once sounded so absurd to Saul, was crushed under the weight of Christ’s glory that fateful day on the road to Damascus. Blind and anxious, Saul refused to eat or drink anything until he obtained the instructions Jesus had promised him would come. The Lord called out to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, asking him to go to where Saul was staying. Ananias was understandably reluctant. He reminded Jesus that Saul had brazenly exhibited a disdain for Christians. Jesus overruled Ananias’ hesitations and reaffirmed that Ananias was God’s chosen vessel to restore Saul’s sight and usher in Saul’s welcoming of the Holy Spirit.
     Ananias met Saul and identified him as a spiritual brother. As Ananias relayed what God had told him to tell Saul, he laid his hands on Saul. The laying on of hands is a continual practice throughout Acts. Already we have seen it exercised in Acts 6, when the apostles laid their hands on the seven financial overseers in Jerusalem and Acts 8, when Peter and John laid their hands on Samaritan believers. The moment Ananias laid his hands on Saul and shared a testimony in Acts 9, Saul’s sight was restored and the Holy Spirit came upon him. Immediately thereafter, Saul was baptized. 
     Saul wasted no time fellowshipping with the believers in Damascus. The man who once loathed Christ’s disciples now loved them. In short order, Saul began declaring that Jesus is the Son of God in the synagogues. The great persecutor was now a great preacher. Saul’s extensive knowledge of the law, which was only strengthened by his studies with Gamaliel in Jerusalem, coupled with his newfound recognition and appreciation of Christ’s lordship, provided a most compelling testimony. Much like Stephen’s aforementioned God-given ability to passionately and effectively reason the truths of Christ, Saul baffled many Jewish residents in Damascus with his persuasive arguments for faith in Christ.  

     Saul spent some three years ministering throughout Arabia and Damascus. Eventually, a conspiracy in Damascus was formed to kill Saul, but through God’s providence the plan was discovered and Saul was able to escape from Damascus in dramatic fashion. Saul decided to go back to Jerusalem, the very place where he once vehemently rallied others against Christianity. But this time Saul did not go to Jerusalem to join up with the religious leaders, who once held so much influence over him. Instead, Saul sought out the apostles so that he could work alongside them. Not surprisingly, the believers were hesitant about accepting Saul’s intentions as pure and noble. But Barnabas, a man introduced earlier in Acts 4:36-37, who would later become a vital asset in Saul’s missionary work, personally vouched for the authenticity of Saul’s conversion.

     Acts 9:27 states Barnabas took Saul to the apostles for investigation and confirmation. This introduction apparently was confined to one apostle for Saul later wrote to the churches in the province of Galatia that he only met the apostle Peter, along with James, the half brother of Jesus, on this visit (Galatians 1:18-19). It is very probable that the remaining apostles were not in Jerusalem at the time because they were out strengthening the churches in various cities throughout Judea and Samaria. Regardless, Peter, James, and perhaps other leading disciples in Jerusalem recognized Saul’s salvation as authentic and put him to good use in Jerusalem immediately thereafter.  

     Saul was adamant about sharing his newfound faith. Through a changed heart, he preached in Jerusalem. One would expect that the Hebraic Jews would have taken issue with this, but it was the Grecian Jews, or Hellenist Jews (Acts 6), that stubbornly opposed Saul’s sermons. Because of Saul’s convincing, passionate testimony, the Grecian Jews began plotting a way to kill him. For the second time, Saul’s life was in great danger. In order to spare Saul’s life, the believers in Jerusalem sent him to his hometown, Tarsus. After this we read that God supplied the church with a time of peace per Acts 9:31.

     Just when we would expect the Christian movement to tear apart because of the persecution being levied against it, God saved the most recognizable enemy of Christianity and transformed him into one of its most powerful evangelists. The emerging mission to rip the fabric of the church was confused and foiled by God. And thus, for a time, at a critical juncture in the history of Christianity, the believers enjoyed a time of peace. When the odds are stacked against us, God can offer peace, even in the seemingly bleakest of circumstances. 

     Acts 9:31 contains three aspects of peace that deserve additional contemplation. One, peace is emboldening. The Bible says that the time of peace strengthened the believers. As the people began to absorb the impact of Jesus’ legacy, they were revived. Even as doubters tried to silence their message, Christians continued presenting the gospel. Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, they did not lose sight of the example Christ had set for them. Jesus served even when others refused Him. He loved even when others rejected Him. He gave even when others rebuffed Him. 

     Jesus’ example requires dauntless sacrifice and courage, which was exemplified by His path to Calvary. The cross provided an image that continually motivated the believers. How could they forsake others when they themselves knew the wonderful joy that came from appreciating what Christ did for humanity? If we think we have done enough, we haven’t. There is always another person to reach out to. Another mouth to feed. Another aching heart to try to mend. Another life to lead. Another lost soul in need of salvation. The only way we as the church can ever tarry on with the mission of love is to access the emboldening power of God’s peace. 

     Two, peace is encouraging. The church was encouraged by the Holy Spirit. This passage in Acts, like so many other New Testament references, confirms that the Holy Spirit is a vital presence Who works in believers’ lives. He is actively engaged in our affairs and diligently strives to help us draw closer to God. He unflinchingly stays near to us and refuses to let us nonchalantly accept or embrace behavior that contradicts God’s holy nature. He is the mighty Enforcer of God’s truth. 
     Many generations before this Scriptural text, an unnamed psalmist once wrote that the Lord hears the desire of the afflicted, encourages them, and listens to their cries (Psalm 10:17). Verses such as this underscore the richly encouraging disposition of God. He is a God Who is with us. He is a God Who yearns to connect with us and guide us. He is a God Who is near to the brokenhearted and longs to comfort those in distress. Above all, God is a God Who desires spiritual intimacy with us, an intimacy which has the power to yield wondrous, peaceful encouragement. The profoundly gratifying message in all of this is that we are not alone in this world. We journey this life, a life in which we seek to honor God, with divine help. The Holy Spirit is with us and assists us in our daily endeavors, reassuring and encouraging us every step of the way. 
     Three, peace is enduring. Because of peace, the church grew in numbers, living in fear of the Lord. It is critical to note what is not said, that being that the believers were in fear of men. As Acts confirms many times over, persecution was inflicted with great fury upon the first century church. Incarcerations and executions were practiced without abandon. And yet the believers concerned themselves not with the schemes of man; they concerned themselves with the ways of God. 
     God’s peace does not bend when the waging winds of suffering sweep in. It does not crumble under the weight of pain. It does not retreat when the arrows of hatred are shot at it. God’s peace is resilient. It is unwavering. It is enduring. This time of peace in Acts 9:31 was ordained by God and used as an opportunity to strengthen the hearts of those who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ. All the believers, including the unlikeliest of all believers, Saul, were infused with the Holy Spirit’s power. 
     Before Acts 9 closes, the expansion of Christianity is further corroborated. A church in Lydda, a town between Joppa and Jerusalem, contained several disciples, so-much-so that Peter visited there in order to strengthen and instruct the church. In Lydda, Peter noticed a paralytic named Aeneas who had become bedridden for eight years. Peter boldly commanded Aeneas to stand up for Jesus Christ had healed him. Aeneas stood up in thanks to the divine power of God. When the residents of Lydda saw the evidence of God’s hand, they turned to the Lord.
     When the disciples in Joppa heard Peter was in Lydda they sent two men to bring Peter at once to Joppa because one of their leading disciples, a woman named Tabitha, had died. Peter went with them and was taken to the upstairs room where Tabitha’s body lay. There were several widows in the room crying. They showed Peter examples of Tabitha’s generosity as they produced several articles of clothing Tabitha had made for them. Peter asked everyone to clear the room. Getting on his knees, the apostle prayed. After some time, he looked at Tabitha and told her to arise. She immediately opened her eyes and sat up. Peter grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. When this miracle, a miracle very similar to one performed by Jesus in Matthew 9, was shared throughout Joppa, many more people came to faith. 

     The global reach of the gospel that was first highlighted in Acts 8 was underscored by the acknowledgement of additional conversions in Lydda and Joppa in Acts 9. This spiritual season of growth was helped in large part by the Holy Spirit’s involvement. The Holy Spirit blessed the first century church with the gift of unbroken peace, a peace that ultimately comes from reconciliation with God by means of salvation. A peace, consequently, that can never be taken away because the redemptive gift it accompanies can never be taken away. From that perspective, God’s peace is both splendid and sustaining. It is enough for today. It is enough for tomorrow. It is enough forevermore. 

Do you exhibit a life that is filled with God’s glorious peace?

Evidence of Faith (Continued): Acts 8

"So there was great joy in that city."

Acts 8:8

Joy. A state of contentment. A soul overflowing with satisfaction. A spirit abounding with assurance.

     Joy yearns to manifest itself in some way. Whether it be a smile, a song, or a statement, joy longs to be expressed. Numerous biblical accounts speak to this. Through joy, a king shamelessly danced unto God through the capital city’s streets in the sight of numerous residential spectators (2 Sa. 6:14-15). Through joy, learned men left their homes in order to find what lay beneath a mysterious, glorious star (Matt. 2:1-10). Through joy, two weary, beaten men sang songs of praise from the shackled confines of a prison cell in the midnight hour (Acts 16:22-25). 

     Even today we find examples of joy all around us, as was the case when my daughter, Abby, provided a powerfully vivid and joyful illustration some time ago. Just sixteen months old at the time, Abby was rapidly enlarging her vocabulary. With great frequency she used and applied new words, seemingly daily. Observing her speech development was a fascinatingly marvelous adventure. One day, our family was driving across town. My wife, Dawn, and I were conversing while our two children were listening to a CD of modern-day worship songs. Dawn and I had been engaged in a discussion for awhile, until we were abruptly interrupted. Abby spontaneously started singing along to the song “How Great Is Our God”. She did not know or sing all the lyrics, but what she did know she belted out with enthusiasm, and with remarkably precise rhythm and timing. 

     I glanced back at Abby who was fully enraptured in the song, evidenced by an adorable shoulder sway motion she had incorporated into her impromptu performance. The whole scene was captivating. It felt as though I had a front row seat to the concert of a lifetime. Whatever emptiness my spiritual cup had that day was immediately filled, better yet overflowing, with praise. Did Abby fully understand what the importance of what she was singing or Who the song was dedicated to? No. But she exhibited a spirit and a spontaneity that reflects how moving and contagious joy should be. Furthermore, she displayed a fervent passion that, regrettably, often escapes me.

     Joy can be revealed at any given moment. Although we tend to associate joy with cheerful times and circumstances, joy should be manifested in all seasons for it is the byproduct of a thriving relationship with God, a relationship, consequently, which produces elated wholeness, as well as the ability to absorb even the toughest of life’s storms. If believers ardently engage in fellowship with God and faithfully abide by His Spirit, God can turn calamities into opportunities to rejoice. The joy that God provides does not diminish, which is clearly displayed by the narrative presented in Acts 8.

     The first three verses of Acts 8 begin by delivering some troubling news, which, at first glance, would suggest that the work of the church was going to be temporarily or permanently stifled. The Jewish religious leaders formally organized an effort to persecute the Christian movement, conferring upon Saul, the man who gave his consent to Stephen’s murder in Acts 7, authority to imprison and put to death Christ’s followers. Saul not only pursued Jesus’ followers in the temple courts, where they had been regularly convening, he barged into peoples’ homes and took captive men and women, fathers and mothers. The life that Saul and the Sanhedrin council took from Stephen, despite Stephen’s dying prayer of forgiveness for them, did not appease their anger towards Jesus and His disciples. As a result of the religious leaders’ sadistic campaign against Christianity, all the remaining believers, save the apostles, abandoned Jerusalem and resettled in the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. 

     And yet after Acts 8:3, the text yields a remarkably encouraging report, confirming the gospel ministry was not weakened because of the heinous actions of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. In fact, the priest-led opposition to Christianity prompted the Christians to take their families and the gospel message to neighboring areas. Akin to Joseph’s declaration to his brothers, what man intended for harm God was able to use for good (Gen. 50:20). The exodus of believers from Jerusalem at the hands of the persecutors was the exact means by which the Holy Spirit initiated the mission to make salvation known to the world. Clearly, God is able to turn tragedy into triumph and pain into praise.  

     We may be curious as to why the apostles remained in Jerusalem in spite of the religious firestorm sparked by Stephen’s murder. The answer is not given. Perhaps the Holy Spirit directed the apostles to stay, promising necessary protection or the courage to withstand the verbal and physical assault. Maybe the apostles were compelled to try and overturn the alarming, shameful reality that Jerusalem, the epicenter of the Hebrew faith, had become so spiritually antagonistic and apathetic. Regardless of such conjecture, we know that God used both the tarrying of the apostles in Jerusalem, as well as the scattering of the remaining believers, to advance His kingdom and mission. 

     In Acts 8:5, Luke begins to chronicle the church’s evangelistic exploits by focusing on Philip, one of seven men called to a specialized ministry in Acts 6. Fleeing Jerusalem, Philip was promptly promoted from the role of a financial overseer to the role of an evangelist, preaching the words and work of Jesus. According to Acts 8:6, Philip launched his ministry by going to Samaria, a place reviled by many Judeans in Philip’s time. The Judeans’ disdain and disrespect for the Samaritans had a lengthy history that warrants brief exploration. 

     Two generations after King David ruled Israel, the kingdom entered into civil war, which tore apart the unification the twelve tribes of Israel once enjoyed. Ten tribes, often referred to as the northern tribes, aligned themselves with a man named Jeroboam, while the two remaining tribes, or southern tribes, recognized King Rehoboam, the reigning king when the nation split apart, as their leader. The ten northern tribes thereafter became known as Israel, while the two southern tribes were identified as Judah. Jeroboam initially resided in and ruled from Shechem (later he would come to establish a dwelling in Tirzah) while Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem.    

     The Bible discloses that Jeroboam was not concerned with the spiritual state of Israel; he was concerned with establishing and solidifying his control over Israel. In order to discourage the ten northern tribes from going to Jerusalem’s temple for worship, Jeroboam set up idolatrous worship centers dedicated to golden calves in Bethel and Dan. He hoped this action would prevent the people of Israel from desiring to reunite with the two southern tribes, and thereby reestablish Rehoboam as their king (1 Kings 12:25-30). Sadly, the idolatry Jeroboam introduced became a stumbling block which plagued Israel for many generations.  

     Several kings passed before King Omri assumed reign over Israel. Because of his desire to leave Tirzah and build a royal palace elsewhere, Omri bought hill country roughly forty miles north of Jerusalem, where he built a city and named it Samaria (1 Kings 16:24). Although Samaria was christened as Israel’s new royal city, in time Samaria became synonymous with the entire territory occupied by the ten northern tribes of Israel. Under King Omri, the personal and corporate sin Jeroboam established and endorsed did not relent. In fact, the Bible says Omri sinned more than all the kings had before him (1 Kings 16:25). After King Omri’s death, his son, Ahab, succeeded him and ushered in an even greater state of depravity for Israel, going so far as to construct a temple for Baal at his wife’s request in Samaria (1 Kings 16:33). Clearly, Samaria had become a haven for abominable behavior.  

     In the years that followed, Israel’s military strength was undermined by a barrage of attacks and battles. Eventually, Assyria conquered Israel altogether. Samaria soon became an area of deportation for exiles of other nations, which further allowed immoral cultural and religious influences to multiply (2 Kings 17:24-33). Despite God’s numerous warnings, the Samaritans refused to relinquish the acceptance and worship of false gods (2 Kings 17:40). This pattern repeated itself when the Greeks took control of Samaria many years later. As the result of the various assimilations, some Israelites married people of non-Jewish descent and faith. Taken as a whole, the Samaritans were, in the eyes of the Judeans, a people who decided to abandon their commitment to worship God and ignore their commitment to serve alongside their Jewish brethren, a betrayal that was not forgotten or forgiven by many of the Judean believers. 

     The view of Samaritans as outcasts and outsiders was still very present during Jesus’ ministry. When Jesus was nearing the time for His trial and execution, He sent messengers into a Samaritan village to make preparations for His arrival en route to Jerusalem. When the Samaritans discovered Jesus’ primary destination was Jerusalem, they refused to accommodate Him. The disciples James and John were so furious with this response that they asked Jesus if they could pray for fire to rain down from heaven and destroy the villagers. Jesus rebuked James and John for this statement (Luke 9:51-56). The Judean-Samaritan relationship, therefore, was a tense, quarrelsome one because it had intensified over the course of several decades. 

     Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He charged the apostles, which included James and John, to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria (Acts 1:8). This directive was not just for the apostles, but for all of the believers, including Philip. Philip obeyed Christ’s directive and witnessed to the Samaritans. During Philip’s ministry in Samaria, miraculous events transpired. Evil spirits, who had long tormented lost souls, were cast out of the bodies they afflicted. Acts 8:7 mentions that the evil spirits shrieked as they exited their victims, indicating the demons were removed by a great power and great force. Furthermore, paralytic and crippled Samaritans were healed. The miracles soon made way for the reception of Philip’s message, which many Samaritans embraced. Hearing led to understanding. Understanding led to conviction. Conviction led to salvation. Salvation led to joy. According to Acts 8:8, great joy abounded in Samaria.

     Philip’s crusade in Samaria identifies three actions that accompany joy. One, joy excites communication of Christ. A spiritual awakening took place in Samaria because Philip proclaimed Christ there. We do not know what he said specifically about Christ, but we do know that God’s Spirit was at work for the Samaritans gladly received his message. Philip was an instrument of God, who trumpeted the Lord’s truth. He communicated God’s Word, knowing the gospel possesses the power to bring spiritually dead people to life.  

     Two, joy excites consideration of Christ. As Philip spoke and performed miraculous signs, the Samaritans paid close attention to what he said. Philip’s message and the activity of God compelled the Samaritans to evaluate their lives in light of Jesus’ life. It obligated them to consider God’s ways. Something undeniably remarkable was taking place and it demanded a reckoning of the heart. 

     Philip was not responsible for the peoples’ acceptance of salvation; he was only responsible for preaching the truth of Jesus, ensuring that he did not withhold it, or water down the gospel presentation. In a world that prefers casual, superficially accommodating sentiments, Philip’s unyieldingly Christ-centered message reminds us that Jesus’ life should always be the central theme of our considerations, and thereby our communication.   

     Three, joy excites a commitment to Christ. When the Samaritans heard Philip’s redeeming message and accepted it as truth, they were baptized, which signified their commitment to honor God and enter into the church family. Baptism was not taken lightly by the first century church for it was a time-honored public profession of faith and repentance. 

     The impact of the Samaritan’s commitment to cherish Christ is further elaborated by community’s rejection of Simon, a man who had practiced sorcery in Samaria for a substantial period of time. Simon was well thought of by the Samaritans because of his skills in the magical arts. Through creative, and likely deceptive, acts, he was able to amaze the people. Driven by power, Simon arrogantly boasted of his greatness, causing many Samaritans to accept and promote his falsehoods. Some even claimed Simon possessed divine powers. But when Philip came to Samaria, performing real, supernatural miracles, Simon’s spell over the Samaritans was broken. The people immediately recognized that Simon was a fraud and a swindler, underscoring the point that the Holy Spirit not only perpetuates truth, the Holy Spirit exposes lies. So great was the Samaritans’ dismissal of Simon’s influence that Simon himself investigated and came to believe the words which Philip had spoken, being baptized shortly thereafter. 

     When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent the apostles Peter and John to investigate, and, perhaps, to build upon the foundation that was being established. Peter and John immediately realized that the Holy Spirit had not descended upon the Samaritan believers so they prayed that the people would receive the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John placed their hands on the people, they received the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, Simon’s lust for influence, which appeared to have been broken through faith, resurfaced. He tried to purchase the supernatural authority that the apostles possessed. Peter rebuked Simon, rightly sensing Simon’s impure motive. Simon did not seek to have supernatural for God’s glory, but for his own. The proclamation that Simon touted he was someone great in Acts 8:9 resembles his aspiration to procure divine gifts from Peter and John in Acts 8:19, which transpired after his pronounced conversion. Peter called out Simon and told him he was full of bitterness and shackled to sin. Simon asked that Peter pray for God’s mercy to reign in his life. Peter, John, and Philip returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many Samaritan villages along the way   

     The Samaritans, once considered outsiders to God’s favor, were ushered into God’s blessing through salvation. Redemption freed them from many vices, including the dependency upon sorcery and magic. They rightly chose to consider the majesty of God and acknowledge that He was moving in their midst. As a result, God produced in the Samaritans a joy that flooded the streets. Philip’s willingness to go to a territory so loathed and despised by many Jewish people underscores that God’s grace is not biased or prejudiced. 

     Before Acts 8 concludes, Luke records one more of Philip’s evangelistic campaigns. An angel told Philip to leave Jerusalem and head south to Gaza. As he journeyed along a desert road, Philip encountered a eunuch, a chief official in the Ethiopian government. Directed by the Holy Spirit, Philip approached the eunuch, who was seated inside a chariot. The eunuch was reading a copy of Isaiah 53, a section often referred to as the “suffering servant”, a passage that outlines Jesus’ death as being necessary to cover the transgressions of humanity. The eunuch was perplexed as to who the suffering servant was. 

     Philip approached the eunuch and asked him if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch expressed he was confused about the meaning of the text and invited Philip to join him in his carriage so that he could explain the passage to him. Philip utilized the opportunity to tell the eunuch about Jesus. Somewhere in the course of the conversation, the eunuch became a believer because he asked Philip to be baptized into faith. After they located a reservoir, Philip baptized the eunuch. Remarkably, as the eunuch was remerging from the water after his immersion, the Holy Spirit transported Philip to another place: Azotus.     

     Philip’s God-ordained encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch, a man who lived in a land on the southern edge of the ancient landscape, served to send the gospel far and wide. To consider that Acts 8 begins with a persecution-caused dispersion of believers but ends with a revelation that God's hand was at work in scattering the gospel message across the world is yet another confirmation of the Lord's greatness. It should encourage us to marvel at the mysteriously authentic ability of God to arrange circumstances, even harsh circumstances that are persecutory, in such a way that brings God glory, honor, and praise. This truth should also move believers to perceive and exude the joy that comes from knowing and serving God.         

     Joy exhibits several inspiring characteristics, but perhaps one of the most notable traits is its propensity to prevail. It can withstand hardships and still find a reason to rejoice. It can absorb man’s afflictions and still produce a desire to worship. How? Because joy stems from the enjoyment of God, an enjoyment that is imperishable. The inner turmoil and unrest of the human heart is a most resilient foe, but God’s love is greater. His grace is stronger. His joy is sufficient. 

Is joy being demonstrated in your life?