Have you felt disappointed in your church? Perhaps attendance is low or the preaching feels repetitive. Maybe there’s division in your church over political or doctrinal differences. Or perhaps everything seems okay on the surface, but there’s just something lacking.
While the early church in the book of Acts struggled with many of the issues we still have today, through their faithfulness to Jesus and commitment to gathering, they were able to survive and even enjoy times of peace and joy.
As we read through today’s passage, I want you to consider two questions:
- What act(s) of faith did the early Christians take in this passage?
- How were they blessed by their faithfulness?
Read:
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
– Acts 9:19-31 (NIV)
We often forget what Saul (otherwise known as Paul) was like before he surrendered to Jesus and became the apostle who wrote most of the New Testament. The early believers had every reason to be afraid of him. He participated in the killing of their fellow believers, who were their friends and family.
Their first act of faith in this passage, taken first by Barnabas, was believing in the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. In order to be a Christian, you must believe that God is supernatural. Just as Jesus died and rose again, when we are saved, we go through the process of becoming a new creation.
But easier said than done when it means believing that another person, especially a person who has hurt us, has changed.
While Paul was was clearly zealous for the Lord, given that he put his life at risk to share the gospel, I’m sure the believers weren’t thrilled by the prospect of inviting him into their sacred spaces. They were putting their lives at risk.
Though once Barnabas shared Paul’s testimony, the believers were willing to accept that God’s powerful work had changed Paul’s heart. This act of faith revealed their deep trust in God with their lives.
Once they helped Paul, they experienced a time of peace and strength from the Holy Spirit. I believe that this peace and strength came out of their act of faith. They were confirmed in their trust in God, and they were strengthened by the testing of their faith.
Today, we aren’t often willing to go out of our comfort zone, especially to put ourselves at risk for others. What if we were not only more trusting in God, but we were also willing to sacrifice our own comfort or resources to help others, especially other believers? Imagine how bonded church communities would be if we were willing to sacrifice for each other.
Unfortunately, churches often make it their primary goal to increase the number of their congregants rather than focus on strengthening the relationships within their current congregation. While one of the blessings the early church received in this passage was an increase in believers, that only came after they were intentionally glorifying God and listening to the Holy Spirit.
What if we made it our mission to honor God, follow the leading of the Spirit, and love each other as Jesus loves us? I believe the numbers would follow, only because of our supernatural example of faithfulness.
Though it will take time, patience, and perseverance to see changes in our faith communities, and even in ourselves, with the help of the Spirit, all things are possible.
Reflection:
You may not be in a position to change your church’s mission, and that’s okay! Change starts with us individually when we align our hearts to Jesus.
- How might God be calling you to act on your faith today?
- How have you been influenced by someone’s selfless generosity before?
- Who has God placed on your heart to intentionally show love toward today?
Prayer:
Thank God for specific ways He’s been faithful to you. Ask Him to help you discern how you might live out this passage today.
The Will to Wake Up 