Waters of Life

Biblical Studies in Multiple Languages

Search in "English":
Home -- English -- Acts - 071 (Return to Antioch in Syria and Presenting an Account of the Ministry)
This page in: -- Albanian -- Arabic -- Armenian -- Azeri -- Bulgarian -- Cebuano -- Chinese -- ENGLISH -- French -- Georgian -- Greek -- Hausa -- Igbo -- Indonesian -- Portuguese -- Russian -- Serbian -- Somali -- Spanish -- Tamil -- Telugu -- Turkish -- Urdu? -- Uzbek -- Yiddish -- Yoruba

Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson

ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
A - The First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1 - 14:28)

7. The Return to Antioch in Syria and Presenting an Account of the Ministry to the Brothers there (Acts 14:24-28)


ACTS 14:24-28
24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. 28 They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after a long journey. Along the way they had gone down to the seashore, and preached in the city of Perga, in southern Anatolia. We do not read anything about the founding of a church there, for the Holy Spirit had not sent the apostles to the coast, but to the mountains and the hot internal plains. Thus they left the city and sailed towards the east, back to Antioch in Syria and to the beloved church from which the Holy Spirit had chosen them for a work, a work which at that time had still seemed obscure. When, however, they returned from this first missionary journey, it became clear to them what the work of the Holy Spirit was. They recognized that it was a work that was intended from all time and eternity, that is: the foundation of churches formed of Gentile, and Jewish converts. This miracle, which began in Antioch of Syria, continued on, for the Holy Spirit was bearing similar fruit in each country they passed through.

It became clear that the door was opened wide to the Gentiles. Those who were called out of the Gentiles passed through this open door and entered into the community of Christ. Not only Jews are chosen to covenant relationship with God. All those who believe in Christ experience that the door to the holy God is open to them. The blood of Christ purifies them, and the Holy Spirit regenerates them. He who believes will be saved.

With great joy Paul and Barnabas called the church to together, whose members had prayed night and day for them throughout their long journey, asking that they might be guided and kept by God. The apostles gratefully told what Christ had worked and accomplished through their common service. As a result they all rejoiced and glorified God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The account of this missionary journey called forth a great wave of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord Jesus, for preaching, in its essence, is thankfulness to God for Golgotha.

Paul and Barnabas rested amidst the spiritual communion of mature brethren. They experienced anew the rich gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ had given to the church at this capital. Together they magnified divine grace, which is given to those who believe in Christ to enable them to serve the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, we magnify You, for You have invited all men to enter Your kingdom. You also spoke to us, confirmed to us Your salvation, raised us from deadness in sin, purified us by Your blood, and sent us to preach to our friends. Help us to walk in humility, and abstinence, in the joy of Your Spirit, obeying His guidance every day.

QUESTION:

  1. What was the new realization the two apostles experienced as a result of their preaching during their first missionary journey?

www.Waters-of-Life.net

Page last modified on March 19, 2015, at 09:46 AM | powered by PmWiki (pmwiki-2.3.3)