Affirming God's Call
The church is an amazing organism that God has orchestrated. Because of Jesus, a group of people come together knowing they have faults, which inspires us to give grace to other believers as well as non-believers. The life we all have been blessed still comes with bends and twists that must be negotiated. God promises all who believe that the death of Jesus is the payment for sin, will receive the Holy Spirit, and He will teach us all things and remind us of what Jesus has taught us. But what about those whom we worship and share life with? Their place in our life is not simply a gathering of people who agree, but there is encouragement and direction that is a byproduct of our engagement with them, because of the Lord.
Acts 13:1-3
The apostle Paul was a threat and menace to the church, producing great persecution of the church, but after he encountered the Lord, he experienced an affirmation of a call that God had placed on his life. Luke identifies church leadership and their effort to fast and worship the Lord. This action is not a mere formula to receive a call from the Lord. Their reasoning for fasting and worshiping is unknown, but we can at least assume it was to show gratitude and worship toward Jesus, and just to ask the Lord what they were supposed to do.
The term that was used for worship gives the notion of performing a sacred duty of service, and also represents a Greek word used to express someone serving at their own expense.1 Those whom we allow to speak into our lives should be able to be perceived as individuals who give to the Lord as well as for the cause of the Lord. On top of that, every Christian should be exuding the same character; it may not be at the same level, but it should still be known among Christians.
When it comes to the affirmation of the call of direction, it is extremely important to note that Luke does express that the affirmation came directly from Paul or Barnabas. It appears more that that came from someone else who was among the group. That’s not to say that God was not already pressing upon Paul and Barnabas in a particular direction, but there was surely an agreement amongst those who were there.
Paul speaks of a moment when he and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to speak to the apostles about the gospel coming to the Gentiles. The apostles were in agreement that they should continue ministering to the Gentiles, but asked that they would remember the poor, which was “the very thing they were eager to do” (Gal. 2:10 ESV).
When we take steps, we should take them with other believers who are involved with our lives. So we may experience the affirmation God gives us through the Holy Spirit moving through us, as well as other believers who are around us.
Acts 13:1-3
The apostle Paul was a threat and menace to the church, producing great persecution of the church, but after he encountered the Lord, he experienced an affirmation of a call that God had placed on his life. Luke identifies church leadership and their effort to fast and worship the Lord. This action is not a mere formula to receive a call from the Lord. Their reasoning for fasting and worshiping is unknown, but we can at least assume it was to show gratitude and worship toward Jesus, and just to ask the Lord what they were supposed to do.
The term that was used for worship gives the notion of performing a sacred duty of service, and also represents a Greek word used to express someone serving at their own expense.1 Those whom we allow to speak into our lives should be able to be perceived as individuals who give to the Lord as well as for the cause of the Lord. On top of that, every Christian should be exuding the same character; it may not be at the same level, but it should still be known among Christians.
When it comes to the affirmation of the call of direction, it is extremely important to note that Luke does express that the affirmation came directly from Paul or Barnabas. It appears more that that came from someone else who was among the group. That’s not to say that God was not already pressing upon Paul and Barnabas in a particular direction, but there was surely an agreement amongst those who were there.
Paul speaks of a moment when he and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to speak to the apostles about the gospel coming to the Gentiles. The apostles were in agreement that they should continue ministering to the Gentiles, but asked that they would remember the poor, which was “the very thing they were eager to do” (Gal. 2:10 ESV).
When we take steps, we should take them with other believers who are involved with our lives. So we may experience the affirmation God gives us through the Holy Spirit moving through us, as well as other believers who are around us.
- Marshall, I. Howard. Acts: An Introduction and Commentary. 1st ed. Vol. 5;5.;. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2008;2007;2014
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