The Lord is awe-inspiring, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Acts 14:26-27,
“From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
Here we have the conclusion of the first mission Paul and Barnabas undertook. They were assigned to the task by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:2, committed to the work by the grace of God, 14:26 sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:4, and had their message of salvation confirmed by the Lord who enabled them to do “miraculous signs and wonders”, Acts 14:3.
Paul and Barnabas encountered opposition from a sorcerer on the island of Cyprus, Acts 13:8, they were abandoned by Mark, their helper, in Perga, Acts 13:13, they encountered opposition from the Jews in Pisidian Antioch who were jealous of them, Acts 13:45, they also encountered persecution from the “God-fearing women of high standing” in that same city and were expelled, Acts 13:50. They encountered opposition from the Jews in Iconium who poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas and developed a plot to mistreat and stone them, Acts 14:2-5. In Lystra Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and stoned Paul.
Also on this trip we find out that Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel where ever they went. On Cyprus, Acts 13:5, the proconsul believed their message, many Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism followed them in Pisidian Antioch, Acts 13:43, where Gentiles believed, Acts 13:48. The gospel message spread throughout the region of Pisidian and we are told the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:52. In Iconium a “great number” of Jews and Gentiles believed. In Derbe Paul and Barnabas “won a large number of disciples”, Acts 14:21, and when they returned to Antioch they were able to report all that God had done through them and how “he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, Acts 14:27.
From this account we find their trip was any thing but uneventful. God was with Paul and Barnabas and astonishing things happened. Both horrible as well as wonderful things happened. Their mission was productive and fruitful as well as painful. They told the folks in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”, Acts 14:22.
The account of this trip reflects so much of what I see about God as revealed throughout Scripture. When God moves, all kinds of things happen – incredible things. It seems as though there is never a dull moment.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your theme of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We’d love to hear from you!
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