Atos 14
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 14
Spurgeon - However much they are harassed, they keep to their life work: nothing can stop them, not even the fear of a cruel death. Do we in like manner speak of Jesus in every company? If not, we fall short of our duty. Let us amend, and in every place show forth the Saviour’s love. There they continued to preach the gospel - They were gospelizing the good news. Remember that "Gospelizing" in secular antiquity included proclaiming (preaching) the good tidings of victories. The missionaries were preaching that Jesus death on the Cross brought victories over sin's penalty and power, over Satan and over death. Luke's description of their continuing to preach the gospel clearly demonstrates that they did not flee Iconium from cowardice, for they continued to be willing to carry out the same activity which got them into trouble in Iconium! In short, opposition did not deter these Spirit filled missionaries but even spurred them on to continue to preach the Gospel over and over (see imperfect tense below) to all who would listen. While the Spirit is not mentioned specifically, it is very clear that their boldness in face of the recent threats was not natural but supernatural. These missionaries were filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Toussaint adds that "The verbal construction they continued to preach the good news emphasizes continuity of action over a period of time." (see The Bible Knowledge Commentary Acts and Epistles - Page 17) As we will discover in Acts 16:1-2 Timothy, one of Paul's favorite disciples, hailed from Lystra and one has to wonder if this is when Timothy was first exposed to Paul, who he would join some 2-3 years later on Paul's second missionary journey. Preach the Gospel (2097)(euaggelizo/euangelizo from eu = good, well + aggéllo = proclaim, tell; English = evangelize) means the missionaries kept on announcing (present tense + continued is the verb eimi in the imperfect tense) again and again, over and over, the good news concerning the truth that Christ died as a Substitute for sinners, was resurrected from the dead, and now provides His righteous standing before God to all who repent and turn to Him by faith. It is not surprising that euaggelizo is frequently used in Acts (Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4; Acts 8:12; Acts 8:25; Acts 8:35; Acts 8:40; Acts 10:36; Acts 11:20; Acts 13:32; Acts 14:7; Acts 14:15; Acts 14:21; Acts 15:35; Acts 16:10; Acts 17:18). One other point we often forget or minimize is that not only is preaching the Gospel to be carried out to win the lost, but it also includes sharing the entire Gospel message of living for Christ with those who are saved! You may need to read that again! It is a very important truth and below are a few resources to re-enforce the importance of learning to preach the Gospel to yourself! Related Resources: Preaching the Gospel to yourself - Tim Challies Preaching the Gospel to Yourself - Joe Thorn Preach the Gospel to Yourself (3' 42") Video - John Piper It is also worth noting the last NT use of this verb, when God gives the world one last chance (at midpoint of the 7 year "Tribulation") before He unleashes His final pouring out of wrath on the earth, John recording "I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; (Rev 14:6+). THOUGHT - Another pattern of evangelism is that God's true ministers never stop preaching the Gospel and they consider it a privilege to suffer for Christ. (Arnold - Patterns in Evangelism)
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Spurgeon - This (lame man) represents the impotency of all men in spiritual things till the grace of God puts strength into them. When we were yet without strength Christ died for the ungodly.
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Spurgeon - This is popularity—a god yesterday, and a criminal to-day; garlands first, stones afterwards. How fickle is man! (It reminds me that even the great Jonathan Edwards was fired by the very congregation he had preached the great sermon Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God, a message God's Spirit used to send revival.) They stoned Paul - Not only were they determined and persuasive, but they were also murderers! How interesting that the "religious" Jews now formed an alliance with the pagan, idol worshiping Gentiles. This unlikely alliance recalls the ancient proverb that "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Note that it was the Jews who inflamed the crowd and it would have most likely been the Jews who would have advocated for stoning even as Stephen had been stoned. Stoning was the punishment they would deem appropriate for a "blasphemer," a crime which they undoubtedly ascribed to Paul. From 2 Cor 11:25 we learn this is the only stoning that Paul experienced. One is enough for any lifetime! One wonders what kind of impact this had on young Timothy who lived in Lystra when this occurred. Obviously it did not deter him from being willing to follow Paul (cf 2 Ti 1:2, et al). And it probably helped Timothy learned what Jesus meant when He told us as His disciples to be willing to "Count the Cost!" Hackett notes that the Jews with two exceptions incited the persecutions which Paul endured. The exceptions were in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40) and Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). Herbert Lockyer rightly observes "How fickle were the plaudits of the mob as it turned so quickly from praise to persecution at the instigation of the angered Jews from Antioch and Iconium. So rapid was the transition from one extreme to another that those who had been stirred up were willing to stone as an impostor the one they had just worshiped as a god. There was only a step between the deification and destruction of Paul. In this respect, he was following the footsteps of his Master who received the hosannas of the multitudes but who, three days later, heard them cry, "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 21:9; 27:22). As we shall see, Paul encountered a like sudden change at Melita (Acts 28:6)....If Paul and Barnabas were not "gods in the likeness of men," then they must be sorcerers or evil demons. The Jews themselves attributed signs and wonders to Beelzebub, the prince of demons (Matthew 9:34; 12:24). As the blinding, stunning blows fell upon Paul—nothing is said about any persecution of Barnabas—the apostle must have thought of Stephen as he was stoned to death—a death Paul had had a share in. But now, "the martyr expiated the guilt of the persecutor." Paul's stoning was the one instance of such suffering (2 Corinthians 11:25). All he endured here at Lystra "stands out, at the close of his life in the vista of past years with a marvelous distinctness." (2 Timothy 3:11)." And dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead - These men were so evil that they did not even consider a burial for a man they thought dead. On the other hand, if he was not truly dead, failure to bury was a good thing!
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Spurgeon asked "How can I look to be at home in the enemy's country, joyful while in exile, or comfortable in a wilderness? This is not my rest. This is the place of the furnace and the forge and the hammer." Matthew
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Spurgeon - Continue in the faith."— Acts 14:22 Evening Thought Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me." So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior." He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times." Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end. Spurgeon - "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." — Acts 14:22 Morning Thought God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, he included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: he has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have his presence and sympathy to cheer them, his grace to support them, and his example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it. Charles Swindoll has an interesting thought on the strengthening the souls of the disciples and the three Stages of Christian Maturation - When Paul and Barnabas left an area, they gave the newly established assemblies over to the Lord. They, of course, did this for their own peace of mind. By formally giving the people over to God, they consciously acknowledged their own limitations. This habit accomplished something else just as important. It helped the developing Christians look to God rather than men for their support, comfort, encouragement, and wisdom. I have discovered that developing Christians go through three very definite stages: first, eyes on people; second, eyes on self; and finally, eyes on the Lord. The first stage, eyes on people, is dangerous. The person who led you to Christ easily becomes your idol, your model. That’s unfortunate. Many a pastor is somebody’s model or idol. In some cases, he’s virtually an object of worship. So, a pastor must remain faithful to help his admirers see that he is just one among a number of people who is being used by God. No one should ever allow others to focus their adoration or worship on any person. Second, eyes on self is what we might call a Christian adolescence, during which we know just enough to be dangerous. Everything is all about us. We’re impulsive, experimental, self-reliant, propelled through life with a sense of invincibility. As a result, we rely upon our own strength to overcome difficulties. It’s the minister’s job to move Christians safely along to the third stage, eyes on the Lord. I appreciate the fact that Paul and Barnabas said to these assemblies, in effect, “Ladies and gentlemen, we turn your ministry over to the Lord. You’re accountable to Him. Fix your hope and heart on Him, not on us.” If you are a spiritual leader serving in any kind of Christian ministry, do your very best to keep believers’ affection on Christ and their eyes heavenward. (Insights on Acts) Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. KJV Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. they had appointed Acts 1:22; Mark 3:14; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5 elders Acts 11:30; 15:4,6,23; 20:17; 1 Timothy 5:1,17-19; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 John 1:1; 3 John 1:1 they commended Acts 14:26; Acts 20:32; Lk 23:46; 1 Th 3:12,13; 2 Th 2:16,17; 2 Ti 1:12; 1 Pe 5:10 ELDERS APPOINTED TO CHURCHES AND COMMENDED TO GOD When they had appointed elders for them in every church - They refers to Paul and Barnabas who were the "selection committee" but they made their selection in dependence of God (prayed with fasting). Clearly the first church was led by elders. Prayer and fasting would indicate that their selection was led by Christ Who is the Head of the Church. And note that no congregation was left out, but every church had elders appointed. I have been in Bible believing churches where elders were not appointed and sadly it usually resulted in either a persuasive pastor taking control or a small cliche of "old timers" who wanted to control the church. The results were usually disastrous, but like fungal rot in the core of a tree, the decay and destruction usually took some time to come to rotten fruition. THOUGHT - Does your church have elders? How does your church select elders? Let me encourage you to follow "Acts 14 template" so that you would encourage the "selection committee" and even the body to consider some time of serious prayer and fasting so that you might hear from the Lord regarding His man or men for the position. I fear this is not always the practice when elders are selected and that some are chosen because of their charismatic personalities, their success in business, their prominence as donors, etc. Without going into detail, I can assure you that in 35 years I have seen the latter "method" of selection lead to literally tragic results for the church. As Wiersbe said "The local church is both an organism and an organization, for if an organism is not organized, it will die! Paul and Barnabas ordained spiritual leaders and gave them the responsibility of caring for the flock." (Bible Exposition Commentary)
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Spurgeon wrote "There are many who are barely Christians and have scarcely enough grace to float them into heaven, the keel of their vessel grating on the gravel all the way." Too many of us (yours truly included far too often!) are like the story of the poor European family who saved for years to buy tickets to sail to America. Once at sea, they carefully rationed the cheese and bread they had brought for the journey. After 3 days, the boy complained to his father, “I hate cheese sandwiches. If I don’t eat anything else before we get to America, I’m going to die.” Giving the boy his last nickel, the father told him to go to the ship’s galley and buy an ice-cream cone. When the boy returned a long time later with a wide smile, his worried dad asked, “Where were you?” “In the galley, eating three ice-cream cones and a steak dinner!” “All that for a nickel?” “Oh, no, the food is free,” the boy replied. “It comes with the ticket.” Indeed, Amazing Grace, not cheap, but free, sufficient to save a wretch like me, the first day, and then every day for the rest (pun intended) of my life! And so we need to amplify the simple definition of grace as unmerited favor by stating that grace is the unmerited favor of God shown to man primarily in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, Who is now the believer's new life (Via His indwelling, enabling Spirit) and new Source of strength for this supernatural life (cp 2Co 5:17-note). This truth about the "Christ life" (which I think is synonymous with the "grace life") is one many believers do not seem to grasp and so they live a bit like spiritual "yo-yo's", attempting to live the supernatural Christian life in their own natural strength instead of in Christ's rich, boundless supply of grace (cp Jn 1:14, 16, 17, 2Cor 8:9). Christian - take "a" and place it at the beginning of the word = "A Christ in"! Does you life reflect this truth, beloved? May the Lord grant us this most precious grace and may we be every one of us led of the Spirit of God to seek Him Who alone can open "the well-stored granaries of grace" [CHS]. Commended (perfect tense - lasting effect)(3860)(paradidomi from para = alongside, to side of, over to + didomi = to give) conveys the basic meaning of to give over from one's hand to someone or something, especially to give over to the power of another (in a bad sense - Matt. 10:4; Matt. 10:17; Matt. 10:19; Matt. 10:21; Matt. 11:27; Matt. 17:22, etc) or in a good sense as in the present passage (cf Mt 11:27, 1 Pe 2:23). THOUGHT - The sense in this passage is that Paul and Barnabas were given over to the power of the grace of God! Could one be entrusted to anything better in this fallen world? I do not think so. This would make a good prayer for parents to "entrust their spouse and children to the grace of God." Amen! Larkin - As Everett F. Harrison observes, the missionaries have carried out their task to the "full limits of possibility" (1986:238; compare Ro 15:19; Col 4:17). What they report to the gathered church is all that God had done through them—better, "for them" (see Acts 15:4). The phrasing emphasizes their awareness of God's presence and His saving work throughout the mission (Acts 11:21; Acts 15:4; cp 1 Cor 3:9). (See Acts - Page 218) For the work that they had accomplished - Could it be any clearer how they were able to accomplish the work for which they were sent out? This is truly amazing grace! God's Spirit sent them out and God's grace enabled them to complete the work to which they had been called! Recall that at the beginning of this missionary journey Luke recorded that "while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2+). THOUGHT - If you are blood bought and heaven bound, the Spirit of the Living God has set you apart for the good works in Christ Jesus which He has prepared for you since eternity past ("beforehand") to walk in in eternity present (Eph 2:10+). Perhaps you need to fast and pray about what these good works are in your (one) life, so that when your "missionary journey" is completed you too can confidently, joyfully say that by the grace of God (enabling you to abide in the Vine - John 15:5) you have fully accomplished the works for which God's Spirit "set you apart" and "sent you out!" And on that final judgment day, when you come to appear face to face which the Righteous Judge Christ Jesus at the Bema Seat (2 Cor 5:10+), you will hear "Well done, good and faithful servant, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'." (Mt 25:23). They had accomplished (completed, fulfilled) (4137)(pleroo) in some context refers to being filled with the Spirit (Acts 13:52, Eph 5:18), but in the present context means that the missionaries had successfully brought to completion that which they had sent out from Antioch Syria to do (Acts 13:3). We see a similar idea of fully completing the ministry God had given Paul and Archippus (see below). Romans 15:19+ in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached (pleroo) the gospel of Christ. Colossians 4:17+ Say to Archippus, “Take heed (present imperative) to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill (pleroo) it.” THOUGHT - This sense of pleroo with the idea of accomplishing, completing or fulfilling one's ministry begs the question, beloved, when all is said and done, will it be written of you that you accomplished the ministry (good works - cf Eph 2:10+) which you received from the Lord. No guilt intended. Only grace. But it does bear sober reflection, for our lives are short compared to eternity! Meditate on these passages that deal with the length of our days on earth - Job 7:6, 7 Job 9:25, 26 Job 14:1, 2 Ps 37:2 Ps 39:5, 6 Ps 90:4-6, 9, 10 Ps 102:3, 11, Ps 103:15,16 Ps 144:4 Isa 38:12,13 Isa 40:6,7 Jas 1:10, 11, 4:14, 1Pe 1:24, 2 Ki 19:26 and finally Eph 5:16+ Play this video Redeem the Time and that one doesn't pluck at the strings of your heart listen to Robin Mark's When It's All Been Said and Done And if you are still not convicted watch Francis Chan's rope illustration which will boggle your mind if you've never seen it! And if need a little extra motivation read Redeem the Time. Acts 14:27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. KJV Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. When they had arrived Acts 15:4-6; 21:20-22; 1 Corinthians 5:4; 11:18; 14:23 They began to report Acts 15:4,12; 21:19; Romans 15:18; 1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 15:10 He had opened a door of faith Acts 11:18; John 9:10; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:7,8 FIRST MISSIONARY CONFERENCE ON THE THINGS GOD HAD DONE When they had arrived and gathered the church together - The first missionary meeting of the new church. Today we often say the missionaries come home on furlough. David Jeremiah summed up writing “The first missionary journey is documented in Acts 13-14, a journey by ship and on foot that covered 1,400 miles on land and sea over the course of one year." (But see Toussaint's comment below) Stanley Toussaint says "Thus ends the first missionary journey which lasted between one and two years and in which Paul and Barnabas traversed more than 700 miles by land and 500 miles by sea. But more than that, it demolished the wall between Jews and Gentiles (cf. Eph. 2:14-16)....Probably Paul wrote the Book of Galatians from Antioch shortly after his first missionary journey and before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)." (See Bible Knowledge Commentary - Page 393) Gathered together (4863)(sunago from sun = with + ago = to lead) means literally to lead together. All of Luke's uses of sunago in Acts - Acts 4:5; Acts 4:26; Acts 4:27; Acts 4:31; Acts 11:26; Acts 13:44; Acts 14:27; Acts 15:6; Acts 15:30; Acts 20:7; Acts 20:8; John MacArthur on began to report - They kept all their accomplishments in the proper perspective, noting that God had done all those things through them and that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. They saw themselves as instruments through whom God had accomplished His purposes; and all the glory went to Him. That is an essential perspective for a servant of the Lord.” (See Acts 13-28 MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Page 56) John Phillips had a good word on the role of Barnabas writing “What Paul left out Barnabas filled in. Wiersbe said "The amazing thing is that Paul and his associates did all of this without the modern means of transportation and communication that we possess today. Dr. Bob Pierce used to say to us in Youth For Christ, “Others have done so much with so little, while we have done so little with so much!” The wasted wealth of American believers alone, if invested in world evangelization, might lead to the salvation of millions of lost people." (Bible Exposition Commentary) Commended to the grace of God for His work, Now communicating on how the grace of God worked! They began to report all things that God had done with them - Don't you love Luke's description! Not all the things Paul and Barnabas had done, but all that God's Spirit had done with them. Luke uses an interesting expression "with them," which implies it was a "joint effort" in one sense, but ultimately it was God initiated (Acts 13:2), God empowered (Acts 14:26) and God glorifying. God's sovereignty was working with their humanity. So we have the mysterious juxtaposition of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. They were 100% responsible for carrying out the work to which He had called them, but it was God Who provided the grace to carry out the work and it was this grace on which they were 100% dependent. See the "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible" (100/100). It is notable that when Jesus gave the "Great Commission" He promised "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Mt 28:20) The phrase with you is the same preposition (meta - with) which Luke uses to describe God "with (meta) them." (see also preceding comment on "with you") Jesus had been with the missionaries every step of the journey and His Spirit had continually enabled them! Supernatural work always requires reliance upon a supernatural Source! Spurgeon once said "O preacher, if you are about to stand up to see what you can do, it will be your wisdom to sit down speedily. But if you stand up to prove what your almighty Lord and Master can do through you, then infinite possibilities lie around you!" (The Soul Winner) Announce (imperfect tense - again and again - see note below)(312)(anaggello/anangello from aná = up to, again, back {like our English prefix "re-"= again thus "re-port" or "re-hearse" = to say again} + aggéllo = tell, declare related to ággelos = messenger) means to bring back word and later to announce, to report. Anaggello in this context means they carried back good tidings, providing information undoubtedly with considerable detail (see Acts 14:27, 15:4). As in this case most 14 NT uses of anaggello report or announce something that has to do with God, including His works and/or purposes. Williams explains Luke's use of the imperfect tense -“In saying that the missionaries reported these things, Luke has used the verb in the imperfect. This may mean that the report was repeated as the two met with different groups scattered throughout the city. But the word church is in the singular. There may have been a number of groups meeting separately, but there was only one church." Simon Kistemaker has another thought on the imperfect tense writing that “Luke employs the imperfect tense of the verb ‘reported’ to indicate that the story Paul and Barnabas had to tell was too lengthy for one sitting. Moreover, he adds that the apostles tell about all their work. Repeatedly, then, they meet with the believers and relate in detail the inroads that the gospel made among the Jews and Gentiles.”