February 24th, Tuesday: Acts chap. 14 & 15

Acts 14

Paul was a man on the move, but not a man easily moved because of difficulties.

“But none of these things moved me.” was his testimony of faith.

And he lived it.

When he and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch, well they just shook off the dust from their feet, and went to Iconium.

When the people there tried to stone them, they went to Lystra, where they were treated like gods.

That was a greater danger than the persecution, when you think about it!

The crowds are very fickle.

They change their minds and stone Paul.

But he just got up and went to another place, this time to Derbe.

That was not all, Paul and Barnabas had the courage to retrace their steps, so that they could help and encourage the new Christians.

And when they returned home, they told the church what the Lord had done, not what they had suffered

Paul and Barnabas put Christ first, others second and themselves last.

They had a job to do, and they were determined by God's grace to do it.

How much does it take to move you out of the will of God?

It was David Sarnoff that wrote, “The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.”

Acts 15

When God opens a door, the enemy had someone handy to try to close it.

In this case, the legalist from Judea visited the Antioch church and taught that Gentiles must become Jews before they can be Christians.

When sincere Christians disagree, they must get together and find out what the Word has to say about it.

Peter, Paul and Barnabas told what God was doing among the Gentiles, and James related it to the Word.

In the decision, there was no compromise doctrinally, but there was consideration practically.