CENTRAL THOUGHT
Every believer has a duty to reach out to others with the gospel.
TEXT: ACTS 13:1-13, 34-41
INTRODUCTION:
The word missionary has been defined to mean someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program. In the context of this study, a missionary is anyone who converts people to the Christian faith; it is the effort made to convert others to Christ. Missionaries are in different categories. There are those in the mission field dedicated and committed to sharing the gospel, laboring day and night for the conversion of souls. Others who are not actively involved give financial support to the work and others pray. Hence in missionary terms, it is called the 3 “G’s”. those that go, give, and groan for the work. Jesus Christ commanded every believer in Mark 16:15 to “go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature”. Winning souls is mandatory for every believer, and it is a demonstration of our love and commitment to God. Missionary work requires one’s time, effort, energy, consistency, and commitment.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) HOW DID PAUL START HIS MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES? Acts 13:1-2
“While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”(NIV). It was during a fasting service, of brethren which included some prophets and teachers, that the Holy Spirit spoke that Barnabas and Saul was to be set apart for the work. It was a clear instruction they received. He was busy ministering to the Lord in the church at Antioch. Even when Paul had been ordained (from the encounter with the Lord), he did not rush to the mission field. It is necessary to be trained and wait on the Lord before proceeding to the mission field.
QUESTION 1B) IDENTIFY THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY WORK AND COMMENT ON THE ROLE OF EACH PARTY (Acts 13:2-5)
Christian missionary work is a spiritual work and should not be done carnally. Different parties are involved in Christian missionary work. They are:
- The Missionary: The first party involved in Christian missionary work is the missionary who has made his/ herself available to be sent by God and the Church. Such an individual must be willing to give up personal pleasures, choices, and be ready to yield totality to God and be willing to go as lead by the Lord.
- The Church: The local church is where the missionary takes off to the mission field. There are, however, lone missionaries who have no “mother” church, but work with different churches at different times. Where the missionary has a local assembly, their role is to fast, pray, lay hands on the missionary, and send them forth. Sending them forth will entail equipping spiritual and physical material and financial support. Where the missionary is a lone missionary, it is advisable he/she gets an affiliate to act as a part church/body where they can get both spiritual and physical support. The local assembly/body gives support in diverse ways to the missionary; beyond laying of hands and financial support, they also act as supervisory body. (Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 4:10, 15-16; 1:19).
- The Holy Ghost: The most important party in the Christian ministry work is the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost was the one that spoke in verse 2 and sent them forth in verse 4. All through Paul’s missionary journey, the Holy Ghost was mightily evidenced with accompanying signs and wonders (Act 14:3). Occasionally, the Holy Ghost restrained Paul from preaching in certain areas. Paul pioneered the preaching of the gospel in many new fields and planted many churches. Without the involvement of the Holy Ghost in missionary work; the laborers will labor in vain.
QUESTION 2) AN OVERVIEW OF PAUL’S MISSIONARY WORK
Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-14 to 14:26) Paul was a pioneer missionary and he never preached where the gospel had been preached before (Rom. 15:20). It is believed that Paul had three or four missionary journeys, as seen from Acts 13; 16; 19 and 20. It is believed that Paul’s missionary work started when he was commissioned with Barnabas. Paul’s life from his conversion and commissioning was one characterized with constant travels. After the commissioning by the local church at Antioch, they went to Cyprus, preached in Salamis and Paphos and John Mark was with him (Acts 13:5). At Paphos, Sergius Paulus believed in the Lord (Acts 13:7-12), from there to Perga and Pamphylis (Acts 13:13). It was at Pamphylis John Mark departed from them (Acts 15:36-41). From there to Antioch of Psidia (Acts 13:14) but when the Jews did not believe the gospel of Christ they turned to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-49). As a result of severe persecution, they left Antioch and went to Iconium (Acts 13:50-52). At Iconium, they preached to both Jews and Gentiles and a great multitude believed. But shortly after there was a division between the Jews and Gentiles and they attempted to stone them; they fled to Lystra and Derbe of Lycaonia (Acts 14:1-7). In Lystra they healed a man and the people attempted to make sacrifices unto them thinking they were gods but were restrained by Paul and Barnabas. Later certain Jews came from Antioch in Pisida, turned the people against Paul and Barnabas, and there Paul was stoned, drawn out of the city and left to die (Acts 14:19, 25). Paul rose from there and went to Derbe (Acts 14:20), from there went back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14:21-23) where they strengthened the brethren and ordained elders for them. From there to Perga and Attalia and back to Antioch where they reported to their local assembly what they Lord had done through them as they preached the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 14:24-28).
The Council at Jerusalem. There was so much dispute arising from the teachings of some who had come from Judea to Antioch. These persons were teaching the brethren that without circumcision one cannot be saved (Acts 15:1 NIV). Paul and Barnabas along with others were appointed to go to Jerusalem to see the Church elders and Apostles on the issue (Acts 15:2). They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria to Jerusalem. At Jerusalem the Pharisees opposed them. The council at Jerusalem is significant to Christianity because it was there it was decided that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace, and keeping mosaic laws of circumcision was immaterial. The brethren were admonished to abstain from idolatry and all forms of pollution (Acts 15:1-20). Letters and people were sent to the brethren in different towns conveying these words.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36- 18:21) Paul told Barnabas that they should go to strengthen the places they had initially preached, and Barnabas wanted John Mark to accompany them, but Paul disagreed, and they parted ways. Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas as recommended by the brethren. Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. It should be noted that Christians in the early church had differences, but it did not hinder the work of God. Unfortunately, not much was heard about Barnabas and John Mark thereafter. Paul continued with Silas to Derbe and Lystra where they met Timothy, and from there to Phrygia and Galatia, but they were restrained from Asia by the Holy Ghost (Acts 16:6). In all the places they went, the churches were strengthened in faith and the grew (Acts 15:1-5). Then to Myasia again and they were restrained by the Holy Ghost from entering Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). Then they moved to Troas, here Paul had a vision where he was called to go over to Macedonia (Acts 16:8-12). There, they met Lydia a woman who served the Lord, whom God opened her heart to listen to Paul. Lydia and her household were baptized and she entreated Paul and Silas to stay in her house (Acts 16:13-16). It was while there they met a girl possessed with demons who brought her master much gain and the demons was casted out. This infuriated her masters who stirred up the crowd against the apostles. As a result of the uproar than ensued, Paul and Silas were dragged to the magistrates and orders up be beaten and locked up in the prison. While in the prison there was a divine intervention as Paul and Silas praised God and they had opportunity to escape but did not, so that the jailer and his household got saved. Thereafter, Paul and Silas were released (Acts 16:17-40). From there, they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica and there a lot of converts were won to Christ but the Jews rose against Paul in a riot and again they were falsely accused. At night, Paul and Silas were sent by to brethren to Berea (Acts 17:1-10). The Berea church was a peculiar assembly in the Bible. At Berea, the word was received with much readiness and the Berean brethren searched the scriptures to see if Paul’s teachings was so (Acts 17:10-12). The Jews stirred the crowd against Paul and he was sent away by the brethren but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea (Acts 17:11-14). Paul went to Athens from there and sent for Timothy and Silas. Athens was an idolatrous town. There Paul preached and discussed the gospel of Christ with the elite on Mars’ hill, some believed and others did not (Acts 17:15-34). From Athens Paul went to Corinth, there he met and stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and did tent making with them. It was at Corinth that Silas and Timothy returned to join Paul. Though the gospel was opposed, many believed in the Lord. God reassured Paul of His presence and protection. Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months. From there he went to Caesarea, Ephesus, and Jerusalem before going back to Antioch of Syria (Acts 18:1-23).
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:1-19 – 21:17). From Antioch Paul went to Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples. Paul returned to Ephesus and was there for 3 years. In Ephesus, the disciples were taught about the Holy Ghost, were baptized, and received the Holy Ghost after Paul laid hands on them. While some believed, others resisted. Paul took those who were willing to listen to him to Tyrannus hall, there he daily reasoned with them (Acts 19:1-10) and was recorded that all Asia, both Jew and Greek, heard the word of Jesus and God worked several miracles. Handkerchiefs and aprons healed the sick, demons were cast out and it was there the seven sons of Sceva attempted to imitate Paul in casting out devils (Acts 19:13-16). There were great conversations, magicians burnt their books, many believed and the word of God grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:17-20). While Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia, he remained in Asia and as a result of the mass conversations, the silver-smith economy dwindled and they stirred the people against Paul wand there was a great uproar. Paul was tried, found innocent and released (Acts 19:21-41). Thereafter, he went to Macedonia/ Greece and stayed there for three months, moved to Asia with Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus and Trophimus who went ahead of him to Troas. It was a Troas that he preached in an upper room till midnight and Eutychus who sat on a window was in deep sleep and fell down from the third floor and died, but Paul restored him back to life (Acts 20:1-12). From there he went to Assos to Mitylene, then to Samos and to Miletus and back to Ephesus where he sent for the church elders. It was while talking with the elders that he told them of the uncertainty that awaits him at Jerusalem but he was determined to still go and he went. His speech was a fare-well speech to the church. Paul saw the false teachings that would come after him and warned the church ahead of time and prayed for the church (Acts 20:13-38). Paul left there to Coos, to Phodes, to Patara, to Tyre, there he remained for seven days and was told not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-5). He went to Ptolemais, stayed with the brethren for a day, and moved to Caesarea where he stayed with Philip the evangelists. It was in the house of Philip that Agabus also prophesied about the arrest that awaited him at Jerusalem and warned him not to go. The brethren also pleaded with him but he was ready not only to be imprisoned but also to die for Christ. From there he went to Jerusalem with some of the brethren.
QUESTION 3) WHAT DOES CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY WORK ENTAIL? (Acts 13:6-12, 15:34-41)
The Christian missionary work entails a lot. The first and most important thing is the willingness to go as led by the Holy Ghost. All through Paul’s missionary journeys he was always led. Even when he wished to preach the gospel in Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7), he was restrained by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is He that must first send forth the missionary and the missionary must be willing to obey His dictates. Today, we find some missionaries who make choices on the mission field to work and most times such choices are made to seemingly choice/ juicy areas, especially urban and rarely rural areas. It is common to see some missionaries get to their choice area, remain there and are unwilling to move on even after the work in the place is done as the Lord had directed. The missionary is not a static evangelist. For the early church, Paul gave us the example of going from one place to another. The missionary must know when to move and where to move to. For Paul, there was a Macedonia call. Today, some of such calls are likely to be ignored if the location does not appear to be humanly attractive/ lucrative.
The missionary must be a man of the word, who teaches the gospel of Christ for salvation and not personal doctrines. He must have a firm understanding of Scriptures (Acts 18:28) and he must be bold to declare the word (Acts 13:12-35). The missionary must be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost and must manifest this in the field. Conversion comes only on the conviction by the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:12).
A missionary does not preach and abandon the convert. He strengthens them from time to time as Paul did (Acts 15:36).
We must not ignore the fact that while committed to the missionary work, disagreements, contentions, and dissensions are probable occurrences, dissention in the body of Christ did not start today, however, when it occurs, the manner in which it is handled is very important. In Acts 15:36-40, when Paul and Barnabas disagreed on whom to assist them on the mission field, they parted ways and still proceeded to work. Though much was not heard of Barnabas and John Mark thereafter, there was evidence that they also continued with the work. Paul later wrote that John Mark (who likely wrote the book of Mark) was helpful to him in ministry (2 Tim. 4:11).
The missionary work entails giving up one’s comfort for the sake of the gospel. Paul severally hazarded his life for the gospel (Acts 15:26). Paul went through a lot for the gospel (2 Cor. 11:23-33). Paul was beaten countless times to the point of death; he suffered shipwreck, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, and nakedness. Paul’s experience is still what some missionaries in our contemporary time experience on the mission field, especially missionaries in areas where the gospel is prohibited and/or where there is dominance of another religion. A missionary of Christ who must be ready to go all the way for the gospel and endure hardship (2 Tim. 2:3). Several times, false accusations were raised against Paul, but he was not discouraged.
The mission field demands commitment and determination by the missionary to remain in the field. A missionary must be resilient to overcome the challenges on the field. A missionary does not compel people to accept his message nor force his ways on the people (Acts 19:9).
In conclusion, it involves evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. In doing this, it includes house to house preaching, giving out tracts, Bible studies in churches, street preaching, open crusades, etc. In whichever way, it entails spreading the good news of Christ and after the people get saved, they need to be discipled and trained to save and disciple others; sometimes training will include teaching a language, education, or skills acquisition.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
God called us individually just like Jesus called the disciples. The call of God from the days of the Bible is personal and there is nothing like a couple/ family call pattern as practiced in current dispensation. We must all be committed to the call, whether as a missionary outside our nativity or when living among our people; we must be committed to preaching the gospel of Christ and making disciples. In doing so, we are bound to face challenges but must be determined not to be hindered from preaching the gospel. The teacher/ preacher must be like Paul who worked to establish, strengthen, and uphold the unity of the body of Christ. Evangelism must be seen as a task that demands our utmost commitment for our eternal reward (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Every believer should seek this reward. Indeed, evangelism is our supreme task. Be an evangelist today, be a missionary to your neighborhood. Paul was an outstanding missionary, and we should emulate his commitment, humility, integrity, and willingness to inconvenience himself for the sake of the gospel.
MEMORY VERSE:
2 TIM. 4:2
“Preach the word be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MONDAY: THE BEGINNING OF PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY. (Acts 13:1-2)
TUESDAY: THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY AND THEIR ROLES (Acts 13:2-8)
WEDNESDAY: HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES (Eph. 6:18-20; Phil. 4:14-18)
THURSDAY: HOW CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ARE EXPECTED TO RELATE WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS (Acts 14:26-28; 15:2-4)
FRIDAY: THE MANNER OF LIFE PAUL LIVED AMONG THE PEOPLE HE PREACHED TO (Acts 20:17-21; Phil. 4:14-18)
SATURDAY: PAUL’S COMMITMENT TO PREACHING THE GOSPEL (Acts 20:22-24)