Effie Darlene Barba

As we continue through the book of Acts, it becomes clearly apparent that we must make God first in all we do.  Paul and Barnabas, called by the Spirit, began their missionary journey.  Every step of that journey was met with hardships; yet, there were the joys along the way.  The great joy known by Paul and Barnabas was knowing that many came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  The mission, they knew was God’s mission, not their own.  Therefore, when people revolted against them, they did not plead or beg with them.  Instead, they would shake the dust off their feet and move on.  This was a symbol that they (Paul and Barnabas) were not responsible for them nor their salvation.  But the question then comes, “Are you ever Responsible for another’s salvation?”

You are called to tell them of the truth of the gospel. But if they walk away and even close the door of communication with you, you must know how to walk away yourself.  Oh, yes keep them in your prayers that the seed you left will flourish one day.  But that will be left in God’s hands and their choice.  In fact, Paul after preaching a beautiful sermon to the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, knew some were saved.  Yet, then there were those who denied Christ, particularly after Paul preached also to the Gentiles who eagerly accepted the gospel truth.

Acts 13: 45-48

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For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).  Whenever you step forward for God, Satan attacks. He uses whomever is in their own minds are easily manipulated by the lies whispered to them.    Paul knew this all too well.  Indeed, there was a time that he was used by Satan to persecute the early church.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins Colossians 1:13-14.

 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled. And be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven (Colossians 1: 19,21,22,23)

Paul understood that whenever he stepped forward to preach the truth of the gospel, attacks came.  Satan attacks through people and circumstances. Even some people whom Satan uses think themselves well meaning. They may even be part of the body who are carnal and weak in their knowledge of the truth.

When You Step Forward for God and Satan Attacks

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The church of God made up of all believers began in Jerusalem (Acts 2).  All who professed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord were baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Church (Acts 11:16), sealed for eternity as God’s Child. (Ephesians 1:13). The spreading of the Gospel from Jerusalem occurred through persecution forcing the people out of Jerusalem.  Ultimately it did spread to the Samaritans and ultimately about 10 years later to the Gentiles (although along the way a few Gentiles were saved).  The Church met with great opposition in Jerusalem as the Jewish leaders banned with the Roman Governors, desiring to destroy the church.  Meanwhile, an unlikely church grew in Antioch, a metropolitan multi-cultural city laden with sin. Antioch would become the epicenter of the church.  From there God called out Barnabas and Paul to begin His Missionary work of spreading the gospel to the nations.

What were the characteristics of this first Missionary Church? The church at Antioch was a very devoted, Spirit led church made up of a diverse, yet spiritually united group of people.  As chapter 13 begins, we truly get a flavor for their diversity.  It was made up of certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger (Black), Lucias of Cyrene (Africa), Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1).  Therefore, the leaders of this church were black, white, poor, wealthy, Jew and Gentile.  No discrimination of persons lay within this church.  Afterall, note how even the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, who beheaded John the Baptist.  Hence, he grew up in the household of Herod the Great who murdered the babies in Bethlehem and Herod his Grandson who had just murdered the Apostle James.     Then there was Saul.

Characteristics of the Missionary Church

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So, often we are told that miracles don’t happen because our “faith” is not strong enough. We pray earnest fervent prayers, particularly in desperate times of our lives.  Fervent prayers filled with hope, pleading that God might intervene in what seems a hopeless situation.  Pushing aside our doubt and fears, we proclaim our trust.  Yet, deep within remains the dread and the fear.  What if God’s answer is not the one, we so desperately prayed for?  Or how surprised are we when He miraculously does more than we could ever had hoped for?

Acts 12 tells us the story of just such a group of people.  As chapter 11 closes, there is a famine across the land of Judea.  The newer, mostly Gentile church in Antioch gathered up all the money they could spare and sent it via Paul and Barnabas to the elders in Judea.  Meanwhile, Herod (Agrippa I) desired great power.  He wanted to gain the favor of the Jews that he oversaw.  Therefore, to grow in his power, he determined to persecute the Christians.  He ordered the arrest and brutal murder of James the brother of John.  Having cut off the head of one “son of thunder”, the first apostle martyred, he next imprisoned Peter, “the rock”.  Herod so enjoyed the accolades of praise from the Jewish leaders for what he had done.  However, for maximum effect, he decided to wait until after the Passover to execute Peter.

So, Peter was shackled, handcuffed to two guards and placed in the most secure prison.  There were locked gates and guards three layers deep with the outermost gate being one of iron.  A group of Christians gathered at the home of John Mark.  Their fervent prayers continued night and day for Peter.

Fervent Prayers with Doubt

They were all gathered together in one accord as they fervently prayed for Peter.  Afterall, they knew of how Peter had been set free from prison before.  However, they had also watched the persecution of Christians.  They were well aware of the stoning of Stephen and now the brutal slaying of the apostle James.  The famine had touched all of Judea.  All too well, they realized the stark reality that this world was filled with sorrows and trials; but, their true hope was in Jesus Christ.  With great anticipation, they awaited His return.

Is that true of our own fervent prayers?  Perhaps, we do not doubt God’s Sovereignty, although, at times we may feel the situation too dire and cannot see how He could ever fix it.  A relationship too broken, an illness too grave, or a heart too broken.  Our fervent prayers go forth on a river of tears while a torrid blend of faith, hope, doubt and fear pulls at our heart.  Amid this emotion, we may be filled also with shame for our own lack of faith.  Ah, but you see, God is there even in our darkest moments.  He was there as Stephen gazed into heaven, just as He was certainly there with James as he ascended into heaven that day.

Still, what would be the outcome of Peter?  Did these prayer warriors doubt God really or did they just doubt His performing such a grand miracle?  They had seen grand miracles; but was God going to answer their fervent prayer with one spectacular miracle?  Meanwhile, Peter slept.  His execution set for the next day, chained to two guards, Peter slept.

God’s Answer to Their Fervent Prayer

Acts 12: ⁷And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him,…a light shined in the prison.  (The Angel) smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. (Peter’s) chains fell off from his hands.

⁸ … the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. (The angel) saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

⁹ Peter went out and followed him.  (He was uncertain) that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord…they went out, and passed on through one street. …forthwith the angel departed from him.

¹¹ …when Peter was come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.’

As soon as Peter realized the reality of his miraculous prison escape, he ran to the house of John Mark.  He was certain a crowd of believers were there praying.  Yet, when he arrived, a young girl came to the door.  So, excited to hear his voice she ran back into the group and proclaimed that he stood at the door (but forgot to let him in).  This group of believers who were in fervent prayer declared her “crazy”.  Afterall, did they really believe God would answer their prayer with such grandeur or was there doubt?  Finally, they answered the door and there stood Peter to their amazement and joy.  Faith grew that day.

Concluding Thoughts

We may not know how God will answer our fervent prayer.  However, we need not doubt His overwhelming love for each of us.  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).  All things means His best, even when we don’t know what is best for us, He does know.  There will be sorrows, trials, doubt and fears that may press upon us from every side.  Furthermore, there may be times we cannot see the way forward; but God in His great and mighty Grace does have a plan for us.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

I do not know the fervent prayer that you are praying for today.  Nor do I know what fears or doubts you may face.  But this I do know; God loves you and His Power is greater than anything you might face today.  You can trust Him, even with your doubt.

I encourage you to go read God is Faithful Even in a Dungeon

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Why with Purpose of Heart, Cleave unto The Lord?

God Does All Things in His Perfect Timing

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Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

When the early Christians scattered following the persecution of Stephen, they traveled “as far as Phoenician, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only” (Acts 11:19).  That is until some men from Cyprus and Cyrene who in “Antioch spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:20-21). When the church in Jerusalem heard, they sent Barnabas to minister to this new congregation most likely made up of Jews and Gentiles.  “Who when he came and had seen the Grace of God was glad. (He) exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” (Acts 11:23).  Then, he went to Tarsus to get Paul.  Returning, they both taught the church in Antioch, where the disciples were first called “Christians”.

            Antioch was a very corrupt society, filled with the worship of “pleasure”.  The city was known for its lascivious living, brothels, and indulgent “pleasures”.  People were very concerned with themselves, each believing their own pleasure more important than that of anyone else.  Even in whatever good they might do; it was all about self-exaltation and self-indulgent pleasures.  It was amid such a society that the church grew and flourished.  No wonder, Barnabas felt overjoyed for the Grace of God to bring salvation to such a place.  Therefore, he exhorted the people “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord”.  For in such a place very similar to the one we live today, it does require purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord.

PURPOSE OF HEART

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