Today’s passage: Acts 9:23-31
Helpful thoughts:
- “Many days” equals about three years. (Galatians 1:17-18)
- Verse 22 ended by telling us that Paul proved Jesus was the Christ.
- We can prove that Jesus is the Christ. That is our responsibility and calling. We cannot bring people to repentance. Only God has that power.
- Without Saul of Tarsus spearheading the persecution of the church, and with historical evidence of a push from Rome to further limit the Jews’ ability to govern themselves, the church enjoyed a time of peace.
- The church multiplied in a time of peace…and the church also multiplied in times of unrest and persecution. There is no off-switch. Christ builds His church.
Questions to consider:
- What is our responsibility in taking the Gospel to others and in making disciples? (Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:11) What is God’s “responsibility” and promise? (Romans 8:29-30)
- What role did Barnabas have in relation to the newcomer Saul, and to the established church members/leaders in Jerusalem? Who has been a “Barnabas” to you? For whom could you be a “Barnabas?”
- In times of civil unrest, in the midst of all these changes in government, on what does the book of Acts continue to focus our attention? How should our view of the world help us to stay above the fray and stay on mission during difficult times?