Acts 17 “Seek Me”

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising." (vv.24-29)

In today’s passage, Paul is giving a speech in Athens, a city filled with idols (v.16). He got the attention of some local philosophers–Epicureans and Stoics, and stressed to them the distinction between being religious and knowing the true God. Paul recognized that these philosophers had to change their ideas about God. They had to move from their own personal opinions to an understanding of who God is according to what He tells us about Himself in the Bible. He detailed how the “Unknown God," which they built an altar too, was the one true God who created the heavens and the earth (vv. 23-24).

Paul told them we are all descended from Adam through Noah, and that there is one God who created us all and to whom we all are obligated. Since God created us all, we should seek the Lord… though He is not far from each one of us. Why? Because in Him we live and move and have our being…For we are also His offspring: These two quotations Paul used from Greek poets are attributed respectively to Epimenides the Cretan [600 B.C.] (who Paul quotes again in Titus 1:12) and Aratus [310 B.C.]. Paul did not quote these men because they were prophets or because all their teaching was of God. He quoted them because these specific words reflected a Biblical truth, and by using them he could build a bridge to his pagan audience.

This God, he continued, is not “served by human hands” (v.25). In other words, God does not need us in order to survive. He made us and made the world—what could He need? Yet, in this passage, Paul revealed what God desires. God made all of this “so that men would seek him” (v.27). God loves us but He does not manipulate our minds and hearts. He made us with the capacity of choice, and it is His desire that we would want to know Him, to find Him, and to have a relationship with Him of our own free will. 

Our heritage, from the beginning, is directly linked to the divine Creator. It is natural, then, that since we are God’s offspring, we will want to find our image in Him. Only in God, not in our own accomplishments, can we find the source of our true identity. For we are His children, His handiwork, His poem. “For in him we live and move and have our being” (v. 28). And, Since we are His offspring, we are responsible to have right ideas about God, and therefore must reject the wrong idea that gold or silver or stone could represent God (v.29). 

In building an alter to the unknown God, the Athenians were acknowledging their ignorance to God, and Paul here has been giving them evidence of their ignorance, and now he declares (in the next few verses) such ignorance to be culpable, and boldly confronted them with the reality of coming judgment and the resurrection (vv.30-31). 

As you can probably imagine the reaction was mixed, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” This is His desire that man would hear more of Him, and truly seek Him. For the cure for all mans troubles is found in His desire, "Seek Me."

The Truth: “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” (Psalm 14:2) 

Acts 16 “Salvation Is Simple”

Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v.30a)

The Philippian jailer asked one of the most significant questions in Scripture: “What must I do to be saved?” And Paul and Silas gave one of the most significant replies: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (vv. 30-31). 

It’s that simple!

The Truth: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10: 9-13)

Acts 15 “Resolve Conflict”

 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening of the churches. (vv.36-41).

In our passage today, we read about a disagreement that has lived on in history. This one was between two missionaries: Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15). Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on a trip to check on some churches they had helped previously (v.37). But Paul did not trust Mark because of an earlier incident (v.38). Now Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply on this that we read, they parted from one another (v.39).

Sadly, this kind of thing happens way too often in the church, and in many cases is never resolved (Proverbs 18:19), but thank God in this case it didn't leave permanent relationship scars. For Paul later came to minister with John Mark and to value his contributions to the work of God (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 4:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). 

We don’t know if it was Mark who changed or Paul who changed. More than likely, God had a work to do in both of their hearts. But the point is, the contention was resolved. And not just outwardly, or on some superficial level, they ministered together later in life with the same heart and for the same purpose.

Arguments happen, and pride can get in our way. But let's make sure they are resolved. Grudges are a burden too heavy to carry and we can labor under them for years. Therefore, put them down at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to carry the weight.  

The Truth: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

Acts 14 “Misguided Worship Rejected”

 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, 'The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.' And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes." (vv.11-13)

Paul and Barnabas performed one miracle (the healing of a man lame from birth), and the people are calling them gods. In Greek mythology, it was common for the gods to come to earth in human form, though they did not always do so for the good of man. The people of Lystra had a legend that once Zeus and Hermes visited their land disguised as mortals, and no one gave them any hospitality except for one older couple. In their anger at the people, Zeus and Hermes wiped out the whole population, except for the old couple. This may help explain why the Lystrians were so quick to honor Paul and Barnabas.

We also see in the later portion of our text (v.13) those same people went so far as to attempt a sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas. Yet, when Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of man, and did many miracles, men were far from wanting to sacrifice to Him. On the contrary, they made Him a sacrifice, claiming His miracles were done by the power of Satan.

The god of this world (satan) is the author of confusion and can so close the carnal mind of man to be blinded to the truth, but be willing to accept a lie. While some servants of God might have easily obtain these undue honors, Paul and Barnabas did not. They were more concerned with God's honor than their own. When the people spoke of worshiping them they could not bear it; "they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, Sirs, why do you these things" (v.15), rebuking the people for their misguided worship.

The longer I live, the more evidence I see of how satan is the author of confusion. One only has to watch the evening news to see that. The lines of right and wrong have become so blurred that they fad into the policies of humanism with no absolutes. Simply “doing what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25), and believing a lie rather than the truth because it benefits them.  

But be of good cheer, for with God all things are possible. He is the answer to all that troubles us if we would recognize our sin, repent from it, and turn to Him as King to heal our land.   

The Truth: But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) 

Acts 13 “Blessing And Conflict”

“For so the LORD has commanded us: “I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.” (v.47)

Here Paul is reminding the Jews in Antioch of their responsibility to the gentiles. Quoting from the book of Isaiah, Paul declares, “God made you a light to the gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” This immediately causes both blessing and conflict.

For those who believed in God, this clearly defined their destiny. When they embraced that destiny, “the word of the LORD spread throughout the entire region” (v.49). However, some Jews were stirred up at this same word. They raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region (v.50).

Today we see these same divisions when it comes to sharing the gospel. Those who receive it are glad and those who reject it are stirred up. However, knowing our responsibility as believers, may we look for those appointments to speak the truth in love. The destiny of many people depends on it!

The Truth: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

Acts 12 "A Miraculous Deliverance

 “Constant prayer was offered to God for [Peter] by the church. (v.5) 

Chapter 12 describes a situation in which Peter's odds of survival were slim and none. He was, "bound with two chains between two soldiers" while others guarded the door of a prison (v.6). King Herod had already executed James, one of Jesus' closest followers, and he had the same fate in mind for Peter (v.1-3). Yet God's plan for Peter included a miraculous deliverance, one that even those who were interceding for him found hard to believe (v.11-13)

God can and does operate outside of human understanding. How? Through His omnipotent power. The One who loves us and gave Himself for us is in charge of our lives. In both ordinary circumstances and impossible situations, God can reveal His power. Whether we are showered with success or sustained in sorrow, He is with us. 

I have both seen and experienced the miraculous power of prayer both in my life and the lives of others. Prayer is powerful and we are told in scripture that, "The Lord is near to all who call upon His name, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). Therefore, when we pray, let us be confident that God hears us, and  "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Then give the glory to God when it occurs.

The Truth: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16)

Acts 11 “The Church In Antioch”

 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord." (vv.19-21)

At first, Christians scattered over the Roman Empire preached only to Jews. But they eventually began to preach Jesus Christ to Gentiles as well. 

Here in our text we read of some unnamed spiritual pioneers (v.20). These unnamed disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene began the first mentioned “mission to the Gentiles” (here called Hellenists) in Antioch.

Antioch was about 300 miles (480 kilometers) north of Jerusalem and about 20 miles (32 kilometers) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. So not exactly a short walk. Many considered Syrian Antioch the third greatest city in the Roman Empire, behind Rome and Alexandria. Antioch was known for its business and commerce, for its sophistication and culture, but also for its immorality. And it was here that these unnamed disciples began their mission.

Our text tells us that, "the hand of the LORD was with them." And because God was with these guys, their ministry was blessed and multiplied, resulting in a great number believing and turning to the Lord. 

This phrase, “believed and turned to the Lord” is a good description of the work of both faith and repentance. So much so that the news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem (some 300 miles away), and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch (v.22). 

At the church in Antioch, when Barnabas saw the grace of God (Gentiles turning to the LORD), he was glad. And, there was something in the work and atmosphere among the followers of Jesus in Antioch that made Barnabas able to see “the grace of God” present there.

Oh, that others would  be able to see the grace of God at work among us wherever we gather. That others would not see an emphasis on self, on man-made rules, on human performance – but on the glorious grace of God. 

The Truth: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 3:7) 

Acts 10 “LORD of All”

"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." (v.1-2)

Cornelius was a first-century Roman military official. He was assigned the task of maintaining order in the turbulent area of Judea. Most Romans of that time believed in many gods but, not Cornelius. He feared the one true God, gave generously to the needy, and prayed regularly (v.2). Even though the Jewish people didn't accept him as one of their own, God recognized him as one of His.

Because of Cornelius' faith, God chose him for a special assignment and sent an angel to tell him what to do. The angel didn't explain why, and he didn't say what the outcome would be, but Cornelius followed the instructions. Because he obeyed, he and his household became the first Gentile believers to receive the Holy Spirit (v.45). 

The example of Cornelius shows us that God has no partiality (v.34), He is not just the God of the Jews, but of the gentiles as well. His promises of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit are for all who believe. 

He truly is “The LORD of all.” (v.36)

The Truth: “Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13)