DEVOTION
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
SET APART
Acts 14:21-28
21 They preached the good news in
that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to
remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the
kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them
in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in
whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into
Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to
Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been
committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 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. 28
And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
NIV
This is almost like a travel log
or the travel agenda of Paul and Barnabas, but there is some truth we need to
ponder. First, they strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true
to the faith. We might see Paul and Barnabas as doing the work of missionaries
and so think that, as long as we support some of our modern-day missionaries,
we have fulfilled our responsibility to strengthen and encourage some believers
in a far-off land. Although Paul and Barnabas were set apart by the Holy Spirit,
and men prayed and laid hands on the two of them before sending them on their
way, there was no set of rules or denominational requirements they needed to
meet to be the men of God they were, and do the work of the Lord among the people.
They were set apart and filled, and led by the Holy Spirit, so they could boldly
speak of the good news about the kingdom of God, with the message of salvation
through Jesus Christ. Because we are all told to build each other up, to speak
words that build others up according to their needs, so that it might benefit
them. We are also told to spur one another to love and good deeds. This is not just the work of missionaries
but of all believers. Sure, Paul and Barbabas were set apart by the Holy
Spirit, but has not the Spirit set all of us apart from the ways of the world? The
Holy Spirit will lead us if we listen to his still, small voice within. Secondly,
God opened doors for them, even though they experienced opposition, even
stoning, and they told believers in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch that they must
go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. This could refer to the
fact that the Spirit of this world is opposed to the Spirit of Christ;
therefore, it is possible that believers will experience the same kind of opposition,
to the point of persecution or ridicule. However, that would mean we live
openly as believers, boldly expressing our faith, even in the face of ridicule.
We know the Spirit will open doors for us, so we are where we need to be, and
voice our faith in Jesus Christ so others might turn from their wicked ways and
turn to Jesus. Let us recognize our being set apart to do the work of the Lord.
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