Freeing the World of Ignorance

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). The bible is full of hard sayings like these but knowing about them does not make them any easier to accept. Some of the teens on Wednesday night found it particularly difficult to understand how simply because one never hears of the gospel than it disqualifies them from heaven.

The context of the verse we can see starts back in v. 22 as Paul is addressing the men of Athens. Apparently while strolling through the streets Paul came across an idol to the unknown god. It is this ignorant worship that Paul tells these men that God no longer winks at.

Having that said on, can safely apply this verse to those who do not know the one true and living God. For just as the men of Athens knew not what they worshiped neither does the lost soul who may never hear the name Jesus or the sacrifice he made for all. Acts 17 only highlights the importance of the Christians duty to spread the Gospel to every one we come in contact with (Matt. 28:19-20).

One man that has continued to be an encouragement to me is Walter Young at the Wesconnett church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL. While on the job with this great man of Faith, he would tell any one that would listen to him about Christ and his church. That is all one can do, tell any and everyone we come in contact with about the saving power of Christ’s blood.

This, however, does not mean all will head our message and warnings. Jesus told the parable of the sower in Mk. 4. This parable explains that not every one will listen or grow in Christ. Even the apostle Paul was rejected. Acts 25:13-26:29 tells of the Gospel message delivered to King Agrippa and ultimately the rejection of eternal life.

Don’t let the fear of being turned down discourage you from teaching the Gospel truth. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (emp. ADM 1Tim 4:2)

The Life and Times of Joseph, the Encourager

Many know of this man named Joseph, but know him by another name, Barnabas (Acts 4:36). We read here in Acts that Joseph was called “son of encouragement” by the apostles, which means Barnabas. Immediately, his name speaks volumes of the man’s character because it was not his given name, but a nick name given to him by the apostles of the Lord.

From the word go, this Levite from Cyprus (Acts 3:36) was a giving man. We are told in the next verse that he sold a field and gave the money to the apostles to distribute as they saw fit. What an example for both the believers of his day as well as for us.

The next time we here of Barnabas is in Jerusalem aiding a fellow Christian (Acts 9:26-27). The man he was helping found himself in quite a predicament. The man Barnabas helped was Paul; the persecutor formerly known as Saul, who relentlessly imprisoned and murdered members of the church but now turned Christian. When all others wanted to avoid this murderer of Christians, Barnabas went out on a limb to reach this new born babe in Christ. What a leader, example, and encourager he was.

Barnabas accompanied Paul on many of his missionary journeys until an argument caused them to go their separate ways. In Acts 13:13, Paul and Barnabas left for another mission trip with John Mark, who was Barnabas’ cousin, but for some reason Mark turned back. It was not until Paul and Barnabas were planning another trip that there was a disagreement between the two friends. Paul wanted to leave Mark behind but Barnabas wanted to take him. Even apostles argued (Acts 14:14) and even fell short and sinned (Gal. 2:11-13).

This is not the end of our story, Paul, Barnabas and John Mark were eventually reconciled in 1Cor. 9:6. Through out the book of Acts, we see this man Joseph popping up, risking his life for the sake of Christ (Acts 15:26) and called “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and Faith” (Acts 11:24). You see, no one remembers a man named Joseph from Cyprus, but every one remembers Barnabas the Encourager. By the power of Christ and His blood, Joseph was transformed into this man who encourages still so many today. What is Christ transforming you into (Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 3:18)?