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Paul's Second Journey (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Acts 15:36-16:13

Paul's second missionary journey reflects several key New Testament principles of serving God through ministry: 1) timing; 2) contextualization; 3) centering ministry around discipleship; and 4) being led and empowered in the work by the Holy Spirit. From Paul's example, we see someone who, from the moment he received Jesus Christ into his heart, began immediately serving God. Paul made extensive efforts to ensure there weren't barriers for communicating with people from different cultures. He also centered his work around training and equipping others in discipleship to go and do God's work and wasn't human-centered, but depended on God's guidance through the Holy Spirit in the work God had placed before him.

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The Critical Divide

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 2:11-16

The early church has to settle the critical issue about circumcision. Paul and Barnabas were sharply disputing that circumcision isn't needed for salvation, something men of Judea were preaching. Peter declares that people are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The conclusion from this dispute was to not have heavy burdens on the Gentiles and to reject legalism and circumcision, but to abstain from sexual immorality, food polluted by idols, and meat of strangled animals. This would allow for contextualization and not put further barriers for the gospel between Jews and Gentiles. The focus of Christianity should be on the life-transforming power of God's grace, as opposed to man-made legalism. Radical grace should continue to be the focus of our lives as Christians.

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Paul's First Journey (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum

Acts 13:1-49

Paul begins his first missionary journey, starting with the church at Antioch. Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set out to tell others areas about Jesus, including locations such as Cyprus, Salamis, Paphos, Perga and more. This is the first recorded missionary journey, and flies in the face of the postmodern thought that the account of the history and truth are arbitrary as God divinely orchestrated His plan to send broken people to tell others about the love of Jesus Christ. Throughout all of Paul and Barnabas' journey, they were led by the Holy Spirit and encountered much resistance and even flagrant persecution. The same principles for Christians today should stand. As we go and tell others about the love of Christ, we should depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and expect resistance in a world that is resistant to God's revealed truth through His Word.

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Lessons on Prayer

Dennis McCallum

Acts 12:1-23

Peter is thrown into jail by King Herod, where he encounters the Angel of the Lord. The Angel of the Lord aids Peter in his escape from prison, allows Peter to return the house of Mary, where many had gathered and were praying earnestly to God about Peter's situation. From this miraculous event, there are five key lessons that can be learned about prayer: 1) there is no promise to answer any and all prayers; 2) it's important to be persistent in prayer; 3) corporate prayer is vital; 4) It's not the quantity of their faith that is important to God; and 5) remembering when God answers prayers.

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The Gentile Pentecost

Dennis McCallum

Acts 10:1-48

Cornelius, a centurion and God-fearing man, has a vision from God telling him to find Peter. Peter himself falls into a trance, as God shows him the new way of relating to those previously seen as "unclean" now that Christ has come. Through the conversation between Peter and Cornelius, it becomes clear that the vision and trance were meant to communicate that all people are able to access God now through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The principle of this encounter is that God has orchestrated His new plan, that through the church, the gospel of Jesus Christ can break through prejudices, traditions, and arbitrary absolutes.

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Paul: God's Radical

Dennis McCallum

Acts 9:1-19

While on the road to Damascus, the Pharisee Saul encounters Jesus Christ. Saul was a very zealous and wealthy citizen that studied under Gamaliel and was a member of the Sanhedrin. Jesus asks Paul why he continues to persecute his church and tells him to go to Damascus to await further instructions. From Damascus, it's revealed that God has selected Paul to be His witness to the Gentiles with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From this encounter with Jesus, Paul realized his own belief system had been wrong, and that real purpose came through Jesus Christ, along with personal salvation. As a result, Paul wasn't afraid to lose everything for the sake of God's work progressing.

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Breaching Culture

Dennis McCallum

Acts 8:1-38

The message of Jesus Christ is continuing to spread in the early church, as God uses Philip to bring a sorcerer named Simon to faith in Jesus. However, there is a delay in Simon receiving the Holy Spirit until the arrival of Peter and John, in order that the issues of racism and prejudice would be silenced. Later, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch and tells him about the good news of Jesus Christ. Both of these stories show the miraculous reality of Christ's love as the Gospel penetrates and breaks through cross-cultural barriers. As Christians, we should reject racism and look to see how the loving message of the Gospel can be reached to all types of people, which accurately reflects God's deep heart for all people.

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Persecution and Division

Dennis McCallum

Acts 5:12-6:7

Despite many miracles and signs of God, the apostles encounter more persecution from the Sanhedrin and are thrown into jail. The high priest confronts Peter about preaching about the message of Jesus Christ. Some encounter flogging for their faith, only to continue to spread the message of Christ. However, they start encountering division because of cultural differences that threatens the dynamic Christian community. As a result of a dispute on how to assist widows, the Apostles ask the disciples to choose seven spiritual leaders to solve the problem, those of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and who are wise. These instances show that Satan will use persecution and division to try and minimize the effectiveness of God's work, but that preservation of unity within the Body of Christ can be sustained by quality leaders.

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The Most Deadly Bacillus

Dennis McCallum

Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira fall guilty of hypocrisy when they hold back money and place the rest at the apostles feet, and God strikes both of them dead. This account is particularly important concerning the damaging effects hypocrisy can have on the church if left unchecked. When not corrected, self-righteous hypocrisy can: quench the power of the Holy Spirit, inhibit spiritual growth and interpersonal closeness with others, and become more about self-improvement and quick fixes rather than telling others about Jesus. The key to avoiding hypocrisy is having a grace-oriented attitude, where we rest on God's security and are freed up to admit our faults before others.

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