Spreading the word
Day 506, Tuesday, Dec. 30
Acts 13:13-52
As Paul and Barnabas start their preaching journey a couple of patterns emerge that will be seen again and again.
First, notice that they begin their preaching at the synagogue, preaching to “fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles” (13:26). It is only after they are rejected by many of the Jews that they begin preaching to the gentiles. It will only be after the traveling preachers begin to go to cities with already established Christian communities that we will seen them abandon the practice of starting their preaching among the Jewish community.
Second, the content of the preaching emphasizes the continuity between the message of the Old Testament and the message of Jesus and his followers.
Another important point that’s easy to miss is found in verse 43, where we read, “When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.”
I have always believed that we gain more knowledge and wisdom in faith by way of conversation that by just listening to someone teach or speak.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Tuesday meditation
Psalms 51:1-9
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Prayer focus
Lord, lead us into relationships where we can talk of you with others so that all may grow.