Real Hope: Acts, a Study of Acts 12-17Sample

Paul’s First Journey

This chapter outlines the beginnings of the Apostle Paul’s first missionary journey into the Mediterranean regions of Cyprus and Turkey during the years AD 45–46. It’s an action chapter initiated by the personal intervention of the Holy Spirit who speaks to the teachers and prophets in Antioch and calls, and commissions, some of their group (Paul and Barnabas) to the work of God. They then minister in various places under various circumstances whilst encountering people eager to hear the Gospel and individuals and groups posing stiff opposition.

The chapter describes a whole kaleidoscope of characters and interactions, but two main forces dominate the narrative. They are the Word and the Spirit of God. Had Paul himself written this devotion, he would have reminded us that the work of God is best achieved when we voluntarily align ourselves with what the Holy Spirit says or how He leads and a commitment to declare and explain the salient elements of the story of the resurrected Jesus (v30) and His purpose on earth, being, among other things, to bring ‘salvation to the ends of the earth’ (v47).

We are sometimes tempted to wish to have been alive in those days and to have traveled with Paul. A better and more realistic response may be to set aside time and space to ask the Holy Spirit to speak or to reaffirm His calling on our lives.

My prayer is that as you take the message of Jesus to others you would be led to a fruitful and exciting journey of your own.

Written by JOHN SCOTT