Activity   (Chapters 13-16)

In chapter 14 the missionary church is born. Missionaries are sent out from Antioch, the first place they are called “Christians.”  A church that only looks “in” is easily lured from the very thing that gives it life. Paul’s preaching is met with success and great tests of suffering. He is stoned.  All those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. If stones are not being thrown at us there must be a reason.  The early church was an active church.  The only way to really “keep the faith” is to give it away. If we try that in the ways of the New Testament Church, and we may be stoned with charges of “soliciting,” “littering,” “loitering,” or violating some lesser law of man. Few these days are willing to be labeled a “fool” for Christ.

When new peoples were rushing into the church, many of those already there were “offended.” Did not these new people have to follow Moses as well as Christ?  The question was settled at the famous Jerusalem council. But do we not sometimes do the same when we “tack” on the teaching of this or that great teacher and require many to follow a modern Moses? (if your group does not do this, then pardon the suggestion, and “continue in the things you have learned)” but if it does, why not go back to the simple and pure pattern of the New Testament Church?

Lastly, in the middle of all this active period, God shakes the very earth and the Philippian Jail crashes down around the head of a hardened jailer and one more sinner and his household come into God’s Kingdom. Perhaps God needs to “shake” things up in our own Macedonia. Perhaps, while not in any way wanting to be ungracious or unnecessarily offensive, we should dare to speak to that next person we meet- about their soul.

(PDFnotes)       (Back to Themes)