The Commissioning & Ministry of Paul & Those We Send

The Commissioning & Ministry of Paul & Those We Send

Acts 9-21 selections

“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’

‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered.”                                                     Acts 9:10

What was Paul to be informed of from the outset?

 “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”                                                                                             Acts 13:1-3  

Who was sending out Paul, and who is sending out our missionaries?

“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”                                                                                      Acts 14:21-23  

What was the point/goal in both of their ministries?

“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’ 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”                                          Acts 15:1-2

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.”                        Acts 15:36-40

What are some of the obstacles and difficulties ahead of them?

‘Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’”                                                 Acts 21:8-14  

Is ‘finishing well’ the same as ‘finishing victoriously’?

Daily Meditations

Memory verse: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”         Acts 1:8

Monday

Read Acts 9:10. What is similar and dissimilar with what Paul was out to do, and his obstacles, and what our missionaries are out to do?

Tuesday

Read Acts 13:1-3.  Why could Paul start numerous churches in many cities while it will take our missionaries decades to do this where they will be going?

Wednesday

Read Acts 14:21-23.  What were the advantages that Paul had?

Thursday

Read Acts 15:1, 2.  What are the advantages that our missionaries will have?

Friday

Read Acts 15:36-40.  What was the role of the church in Antioch in Paul’s journeys and ministry?  

Saturday

Read Acts 21:8-14.  What is Clairemont Emmanuel’s role in the journey ahead for the our missionaries?