The Other Six Days

Paul and Barnabas perform miracles, and are called Zeus and Hermes. They were considered to be gods in human form. Paul and Barnabus were so attuned to God’s glory and God’s work, they visibly demonstrated their shock and fear by ripping their clothes. They then declared that the powers were God’s not theirs.

The temptation can be hard to resist. Celebrity is about being put on a pedestal, given privileges others don’t have, and excepted from rules and regulations. Celebrity pushes people to believe their press clippings.

Paul and Barnabas head to Iconium where people are split in how they receive the word. When they are nearly killed for their message, they move on to Lystra. There’s a man there who Paul heals. That did it. No matter what Paul and Barnabas did, the people kept wanting to sacrifice to them as if they were gods. Crazy turn of events, tho; the Jews from the previous cities show up and convince the crowd instead to stone them. They mistake Paul for dead, but he revives and continues on to Derbe

“Normalize changing your mind’ is the positive version of “blown like grass in the wind.” The people are amazed by a healing, so their faith is shallow. Consequently they are easily moved: the people want to sacrifice to Paul. Then they want to kill him

That we would be steadfast and remember the reason for the hope that we have. That v15 would be an active reality moment by moment in our day. That we would turn from worthless things to the living God

Saul is also called “Paul.” when he, Barnabas,and John Mark, were on the island of Cyprus. We don’t know for certain why, but I suspect Paul was a more mission sensitive name.

Saul turned his attention to Greek speaking people, and his name became an unfortunate one. Saul in Greek (saulos) can describe the way a prostitute walks. No wonder he changed his name. Where and how we begin gospel ministry matters. It shifts and changes, depending on the location, people and culture. This requires sensitivity to the Spirit to discern

Herod is looking to kill Peter who had escaped prison. The people want to appease Herod so he will share food during the famine. They praise him as a god and he dies suddenly.

Another suddenly stricken story, in chapter 13, Saul is sent to Cyprus where the leader there is sympathetic to the Gospel. Magician tries to block the way, and Saul/Paul curses (?) him to be blind. Reminiscent of Paul’s own conversion

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. Acra 9:27

Barnabas means son of encouragement, and we all need those in our lives. He built a bridge between Saul and the apostles. Barnabas understood why the early Christians didn’t trust the persecutor of the early church. He also knew the former persecutor of the early church, so he was perfectly positioned to bring the 2 parties together. An early example of how the Gospel is about crossing barriers.

You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” Acts 12:15.

Persecution of the church resulted in spreading the Gospel. Peter is imprisoned, but with the help of an angel escapes.When he shows up where the believers are praying, they don’t believe he’s really there at first.

What is funny is the believers were presumably praying at least in part for Peter’s safety. It’s answered also presumably in their best imaginable way and their response is not to believe it. God can open iron doors. God can make a way when it’s blocked. God can work in our nitty gritty reality. I need to expect it.

“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Acts 10:35-36

I love this sermon by Peter. It’s an honest admission. He now realizes God is non-prejudiced, non-favoritistic, and welcomes any who do what is right. After hearing the story, his critics are able to accept these Gentiles. Up until that point, they were excluded from Gods covenant with Israel. Anyone who ever struggles with religious prejudice and pride should read Peter’s sermon through that lens. 

I’m curious about Cornelius: How did the Gospel affect his military career?

So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection” (Acts 10:29).

Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house where he’s gathered a lot of people. Despite the law, Peter understands from his vision that this Gentile/Jew association is right. But why is he here? Cornelius tells him please share what the Lord has told you to tell us. He reviews the facts: Jesus preached peace to the people of Israel. He did good and healed people. Then they crucified him and he rose again. Now everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness thru his name. The Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles then, and they were baptized.

What stands out to me is Peter’s readiness. If I was called into a stranger’s family reunion, would I be so prepared and confident in what to share? The world is looking for meaning. Let us be ready to share where our hope comes from!

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” – Acts 9:15

The church needed Greek speaking servants to help Greek-speaking widows, God had already prepared them (Acts 6:1–6). The Samaritans were ready for the gospel, so God sent Philip. A eunuch needed someone to explain Isaiah’s words, so God sent Philip (Acts 8:4–40). The gentile world needed a Jewish-trained, Greek-speaking person, God provided Saul (Acts 9:1–31). God prepares Peter, a Christian still following Jewish law, to speak to a Roman centurion.

This isn’t divine micromanagement, we still make choices: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps (Proverbs 16:9).”

Peter is staying with a tanner. I’ve heard that uncleanliness might be foreshadowing this next event with Cornelius; Cornelius is a Gentile so is also unclean.


God shakes up expectations and sends Peter to chat with Cornelius. God clarifies the direction for Peter with the vision of the sheet of unclean animals. God intends the Good News not just for his chosen people, and the spread is beginning. God uses attentive people who do what He asks.