It’s The Holy Spirit’s Work

Acts 14:24-28

Turning leadership of the churches in Pisidia and Lycaonia over to local elders or pastors, Paul and Barnabas retraced their route, visiting each city they’d preached in. Having had the privilege of going back and visiting some of the churches I pastored, I can state it is sort of like going and visiting your adult children. It is wonderfully exciting to see those who are doing well and troubling to see those who are struggling.

Because they are adults, one cannot exercise the same level of authority he once did to correct things he deems as unsatisfactory. Even suggestions or advice must be couched in such a way as to not denigrate their position. Nevertheless, if a proper approach is used, he can greatly influence what is done there. He must make sure it is what the Holy Spirit directs, not just his own opinion.

“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. “ (Acts 14:24-26)

From Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas proceeded to Perga in Pamphylia where John Mark had returned to Antioch. They preached there and then went to the seaport of Attalia where they boarded a ship headed directly for Antioch. They did not stop in Paphos or Cyprus on the trip.

They had invested over a year in Antioch training the people and developing leaders, even though the church was already there when Barnabas first came. It was there that Barnabas mentored Paul and the Lord called them into fulltime missions work. That church, more than any other, knew what they were like, and sent them out. Since it was made up of mostly Gentiles, it was especially interested in missions.

“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27)

The complete name given to the book of Acts is the Acts of the Apostles. While in Bible college, our main study of Acts was the Life of Paul. We focused on the many churches Paul started, even carefully producing detailed maps. The entire focus was on what the apostles and early church did.

Paul and Barnabas did not report what they had done, but “…all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” What a difference in focus! While we give lip service to the concept, most of our reports, whether by missionaries, evangelistic teams, committees, or denominational leadership, focus on the human effort, rather than God’s power. Man gets the glory, rather than God.

We put so much stress on human attainments, from educational degrees and speaking prowess to athletic abilities and financial achievements. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (I Corinthians 1:27-29)

God has deliberately chosen not to use the famous, highly educated and powerful so the glory goes to him rather than to the people. What our flesh attains has no value to God and in fact, is contrary to the Spirit’s leading according to Galatians 5:17, and hinders our serving God. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” If we are really surrendered to Christ, the flesh no longer matters. Galatians 5:24 states, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,” in Galatians 6:14. We put far too musch stress on comparing men’s works and glorying in men’s accomplishments. II Corinthians 10:12 states, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” If Paul didn’t dare, how can we? Galatians 5:26 commands, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

“And there they abode long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:28)

Paul and Barnabas did not do modern deputation. When they were sent, they did not go to other churches raising support. When they returned, they did not go from church to church making reports and raising additional support. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, working and teaching in the church, and as we see in the next chapter, helping to resolve some problems that had developed. We don’t know how long they were there, but they stayed a long time. What a contrast to our modern missions programs.