Tuesday 21st February - Acts 13

Today’s chapter is Acts 13

Tom writes:

The book of Acts can, at times, feel like a rapid train journey passing staggering scenes, each of which deserve a day’s visit on their own. So let’s hop off the train for a moment and linger on Lucius the Libyan and Manaen who grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth and Simeon called Niger, which means “the black man”. These three - together with Paul and Barnabas - are known as prophets and teachers in the church in Antioch. God had somehow taken the diverse tapestry of their lives and stitched them together, building through them a powerhouse leadership team of a multi-ethnic church. I’m sure it must have been intoxicating. We don’t know much more about the background of each of these men of the Mediterranean but one thing we do know is that they have learned to become, together, magnificent manifestations of the three foundation stones of the early church. Firstly they have realised that the exaltation of Jesus to Lord of Everything trumped every cultural inheritance they had from the earth. They could each have chosen to do church that was “easy” for them alongside people just like them. But they realised Jesus had been exalted to King of heaven, with Sovereign authority to unite in Him all peoples across the earth.

So they put in the work to forge a church with the fusion culture of heaven, becoming a living witness to Jesus uniting all people together under his universal lordship. Secondly they seem to have reinterpreted the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus. Most commentators think Saul and Barnabas regarded Isaiah 66:18-21 as a defining text for “the work that they were called to”; with the journeys they travel on mapping closely to that prophecy. And then, thirdly, we see them honouring the Holy Spirit. Oh this wonderful Spirit who speaks and helps and empowers through the laying on of hands. And so - with just a very brief stop in this scene - we realise what a beautiful, inspiring gem of a church God can build when just a few people choose to take him seriously. We see how living these 3 Kingdom principles, can turn diverse and ordinary people into a powerhouse for God’s purposes.

Question for reflection

What part could you play in bringing different cultures together to become a powerhouse for Jesus?