"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
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?
No comments:
Post a Comment