Peter’s Report & Saul’s Start
Peter takes a report of what happened in Caesarea back to Jerusalem. The people are amazed! Barnabas gets Saul and he makes a start in teaching the first Gentile church.
Things are really ‘rocking’ now! The Gentiles have received the gospel AND the Holy Spirit. No longer are they the ‘don’t touch’ people. And they need a teacher. Barnabas goes to retrieve Saul, because he remembers that Saul was to be God’s instrument to the Gentiles. Let’s rejoin the story as Peter stands before the brothers in Jerusalem.
Holy Spirit, this is You reaching out to ME! I’m thousands of years down the line, but this is the beginning for those who are not Jews. Guide my journey in this story today. Show me all that I can hold in this story. And show me what to take for my life today as well.
♥ ♦ ♥
It takes Peter two days to reach Jerusalem from Joppa. He made a quick stopover in Joppa on his way back from Caesarea. Altogether, it has been almost a week since Peter departed from Cornelius’ house. It was hard to tear himself away from the new group of Gentile followers of Jesus, but he wants to try and beat the news back to Jerusalem. He has no idea how the body in Jerusalem is going to take this news.
Peter rehearses his words while he travels. He really doesn’t have to do any more than refresh his memory. GOD made the decision to reach out to the Gentiles, not Peter. “I was only following HIS instruction” he reminds himself.
The gates of Jerusalem are in sight. Peter breathes a sigh of relief, as his journey is almost over. Excitement also builds in him the closer he gets to the gates. As Peter walks right through the gates without being challenged by the sentries, He sends a silent prayer heavenward.
“Thank You Lord for protecting me and bringing me safely back to my brothers. Thank You that none are actively seeking my life.”
Those on watch for the church spot Peter as he makes his way across the city. Brothers are waiting at the door to greet him when he arrives.
“Brother Peter! Shalom, and welcome home.”
“It is good to be home” Peter replies.
Before he even has a chance to remove his sandals, accusations start flying.
“We heard that you went to the home of a Gentile! How could you?”
“You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them” (Acts 11:3).
“Have you taken leave of your senses?”
The loudest accusers were those of a group that focuses on circumcision, even for any who would convert to Jewish religion. They hold that, NO uncircumcised man can come before God.
Peter raises his hand to silence the room. “Give me just a minute and I will address all your concerns.”
The room falls silent while Peter quickly removes his sandals and washes his feet. He would like to linger over the water a bit, after walking so long, but he knows the others NEED answers right away. Peter lays the cloth in the basin and straightens up.
“Now, before you all start talking at once again, let me explain.”
Peter looks around the room, ensuring that everyone is actually listening. He doesn’t want anyone to miss this story out of prejudice and preconceived ideas.
“First of all, I tried to get back here before the news reached you. I wanted to share this amazing story with you before your hearts and minds became clogged with malicious, misleading, false, inflated reports, or incomplete.”
Scowls greet Peter all around. He holds his hands up again and shakes his head. “I’m not saying that all the reports are false, but I know how these things take on a life of their own. Especially when they are FAR outside of what we would expect. Let me start at the beginning and walk you all the way through before you make any judgments.”
Some heads nod slightly and shoulders drop from their tense positions. Peter nods in response.
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:5-17).
NO ONE says a word against Peter after his story is finished. How could they? God Himself set this meeting in motion. Instead, they began glorifying God.
“Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).
“This brings other news, that we have received recently, into a new light” says John.
“What news is that” asks Peter.
“We know that, when the church scattered because of the death of Stephen, several believers went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. While there, they spoke to Jews only. Some of those who went, who were from Cyprus and Cyrene, began arguing with the Hellenists. We have heard reports that the church is growing exceedingly in those towns. Even adding Gentiles to their ranks!” informs Matthew.
“Then we should send someone from among us to asses the truth of the situation and encourage the believers” replies Peter.
“I nominate Barnabas” says John.
Barnabas is MORE than happy to accept the task.
“Go to Antioch and meet with the believers there. See what needs they have and how you can support them. Send a report back to us, when you are able” John instructs.
This is a LONG journey and not one to be made alone. Barnabas joins a caravan going to Antioch. This offers him an added opportunity to share the good news with others during the trip. By the time they reach Antioch, several new believers are among the travelers. Those who are staying in Antioch go with Barnabas to seek out the believers in the area.
It’s not hard to find the believers. Several of them are on street corners, speaking to anyone who will listen. Barnabas smiles as he comes across a man he recognizes from the early days in Jerusalem.
“Samuel! Shalom!” cries Barnabas as his small group approaches.
Samuel looks for the source of his name being shouted and sees Barnabas. His face lights up and he rushes to embrace his friend.
“Barnabas! What brings you so far from Jerusalem?” Samuel’s thoughts quickly turn to the reason he left Jerusalem so long ago. With fear etching his face and tightening his words, he asks; “Has the church suffered another attack?”
“Nothing like that brother. I simply came to see how the church here is faring, and to send word back to the brothers in Jerusalem.”
Samuel breathes a sigh of relief and his smile reappears. “Follow me, brother. There are a LOT of people for you to meet!”
As they walk, the two catch up on events. “So what is happening in Jerusalem these days” asks Samuel.
“Just before I set off, Peter came back with an amazing story of the Holy Spirit falling on a group of Gentiles in Caesarea.”
“That’s great!” Simon ducks his head for a moment, warry about what he is about to ask. “Were you sent here because of reports of Gentile believers?”
Barnabas smiles. “That was part of the reason for my coming. Be certain though that the Lord has shown the apostles that the Gentiles are welcomed by God.”
Barnabas shares Peter’s story with Simon. By the end of it, Simon is glowing with excitement.
“We have seen worders here of our own, but were afraid to share them too openly with the rest of the believers. Our body is being added to daily. Both Jews AND Gentiles.”
“Have you had any problems with one group over the other?”
“In the beginning there was a bit of animosity from the Jews, but when they saw the Gentiles being as devout as them, that dropped away. There are a few here who push for the Gentiles to be circumcised though. We are holding them at bay, for now. God appears to have welcomed them, just as they are. Who are we to argue” Samuel says with a shrug.
Barnabas is overwhelmed with the love pouring out of this mixed body of believers. He spends a week with them before remembering Saul, who God said would be an instrument to the Gentiles.
“I think it is time to bring Saul out of hiding. The way is open for him to begin ministering to the Gentiles” Barnabas says to himself.
“Brother Samuel, do you remember Saul of Tarsus?”
“He was the one who started persecuting the church so fiercely that it drove us away. How could anyone ever forget that.”
“Did you hear that he is now among the believers of Jesus? And God appointed him as a minister to the Gentiles.”
“Are you certain his conversion is true?” asks Samuel with a bit of skepticism.
“I am absolutely certain! I have heard him teaching boldly, assisted him in escaping death, and even introduced him to the apostles in Jerusalem.”
“Praise God! No longer an enemy, but an ally.”
“I want to go and bring him here. He is in Tarsus right now. He was sent there after his life was threatened by the Jerusalem leaders.”
“That is a long journey, brother Barnabas. Are you sure you need to do this?”
“I am absolutely certain. I feel the Spirit of the Lord leading me to do this.”
“If it is of God, then go ahead and go. I would like to meet the man God has appointed to the Gentiles. Whatever you need for the journey, we will be happy to supply.”
“Not that it needs saying, but remain faithful to the Lord in my absence” encourages Barnabas.
“Always, brother. Hurry back to us.”
Barnabas is on the road again the next morning. He has money for his passage and food to see him through for the journey there. Barnabas joins a merchant vessel that works its way up and down the coast, stopping to trade in ports along the way.
The weather is good the whole way to Tarsus. Barnabas helps wherever he can and shares his faith along the journey. Everyone is sad to see him leave when they reach Tarsus.
“If you are ever going this way again, look for us. You will always have a place among us” calls the captain as Barnabas walks away from the dock.
Barnabas turns and waves goodbye one last time before setting off to find Saul. Barnabas heard that Saul was a tent maker before coming to Jerusalem. “Maybe I will find him in that district. If not, I’m not sure where to look. This is a rather LARGE city.”
Just as Barnabas finishes that thought, the Spirit rises up in him. “Pray for guidance” he hears. Barnabas stops in his tracks, shaking his head. “Of course I need to pray. Why didn’t I do that first” he admonishes himself.
Barnabas moves to the side of the road when he is almost run down by a cart hurrying along the street. When he is safely out of traffic, he looks toward Heaven.
“Lord Jesus, lead me to Saul. I know that You inspired me to find him in the first place. Certainly, YOU know where Saul is staying. Lead me in the path that I should walk and make my search fruitful. I ask this in the name of Jesus.”
From that moment on, Barnabas feels as though he is being led, step by step and street by street to the very place of Saul. Within two hours of leaving the ship, Barnabas is looking at Saul as he is sewing a tent. He watches silently for a few moments before announcing his presence.
“Shalom brother Saul.”
Saul looks up form his work and sees Barnabas standing there. He quickly puts his work aside and rises to greet him.
“Shalom to you Barnabas. When did you get here? Why are you here? Is something wrong?”
“You are as bad and Samuel” Barnabas chuckles.
“Samuel, the prophet of God” Saul asks with confusion.
“No. Samuel of Antioch. When I met with him, he had many questions that kept rolling off of his tongue.”
“I would not have minded being compared to the prophet Samuel” Saul says with a smile.
“Who knows. One day you may. For now though, I have come with a purpose.”
Saul invites Barnabas to sit down and he sits back down on his stool. “What purpose is that brother Barnabas?”
“I have come to bring you to Antioch.” Before Saul can raise any questions, Barnabas holds up his hand to stall him. “There is a body of believers in Antioch who are both Jew and Gentile. The Lord called you to be an instrument to the Gentiles. I think it is time to put that calling to use. It’s time to come back out of hiding.”
“PRAISE GOD! I am so tired of hiding. All I want to do is share the gospel with anyone who will stand still long enough to listen.”
“Why haven’t you done that here” asks Barnabas.
“I have felt restrained by the Spirit. I don’t know why the Lord hasn’t had me share the gospel here in my hometown” Saul says with a touch of sadness.
Barnabas shrugs. “Even Jesus was unable to preach in His home town of Nazareth. ‘A prophet is never without honor, except in his home town and among his relatives and in his own household’ (Mark 6:4) said Jesus Himself.”
“This is true. Even my parents have turned away when I spoke of Jesus.”
“Come back to Antioch with me. There are believers there who would LOVE to hear you teach them.”
Saul looks around him. There is nothing holding him here. No family to go home to. No church to inform that he will be absent for a while, and no commitments beyond the stitching work of the day.
“Let me finish out the day as I promised this master craftsman I would. Then we can set off on our journey tomorrow.”
Saul returns to his work and Barnabas goes to make arrangements on the dock. He is surprised to see the ship he came up the coast on, waiting in the harbor. He makes his way down the docks until he is standing right beside the captain.
“Barnabas!” shouts the captain.
Barnabas smiles. “Shalom captain. Are you continuing north along the coast?”
“We had planned to, but the last of our merchandise was purchased just an hour ago down in the harbor. We will be returning south on the winds of the morning.”
“Would you have room for two to join you on your journey?”
“As long as one of the two is you, my friend. As I said, you always have a place on my voyages.”
“What time do you sail?”
“With the morning tide. Just after sunrise.”
“I will see you then. Thank you, captain.” Barnabas turns to walk away before realizing he forgot to settle on a price. He turns back. “Captain, I forgot to ask the price of our passage.”
The captain waves him away. “You more than paid your way here. I consider it a return on my investment with you along.”
Barnabas smiles. “Thank you, captain. I will make certain to lend a hand any time it is needed.”
Barnabas returns to Saul at the end of the day. While making his way through the city, he replenished his supplies for the return voyage, making certain to buy enough for himself and Saul.
“Is your day finished” Barnabas asks as he approaches the place Saul is working.
“Almost. I just want to finish this last seam.”
Barnabas waits while Saul completes his task. He is impressed by the stitching Saul is doing. It is tight and strong. “That stitching will probably last longer than the tent itself” Barnabas comments.
Saul smiles, without taking his eyes off his task. “That’s the idea. Secure seams make a long-lasting tent. The worst thing a tent maker can do is rush his seams. The tent will fail in a matter of days and his reputation will be ruined.”
When Saul finally lays aside his tools, Barnabas tells him of the passage he has booked for them for the morning.
“You don’t let the grass grow under your sandals at all” chides Saul.
“Well… If you want to delay, I can change the arrangements.”
“No. I’m as ready as I can ever be. I was just making a comment” Saul says with a smile.
The two men greet the dawn beside the bow of the ship. They came a bit early so they won’t make the captain late in his departure.
“Barnabas!” calls out the captain as he sees the two men.
“Shalom, captain. This is my friend Saul. He is my brother in Christ.”
“Wonderful to have you both aboard” welcomes the captain.
The two men walk onto the ship and stow their gear before going to see if there is anything they can do to help.
“The captain told us you would be sailing with us again” one of the crew shouts as he sees Barnabas. “You will of course continue telling me of the Christ.”
“I would have it no other way” Barnabas says with a smile. “And my brother in Christ will speak of Him as well.”
“Then we are doubly blessed. With two of the Lord’s servants aboard, we are sure to have a safe journey.”
A safe journey it is too. And a rewarding one in more ways than one. By the time Saul and Barnabas leave the ship, almost all the crew and captain have come to faith in Jesus. Their trading along the coast was also the best they had ever seen.
“Please, sail with us anytime!” calls the captain as the two men disembark.
“It was a pleasure” replies Saul.
Barnabas takes Saul directly to the place where the believers meet in Antioch. They are both welcomed warmly and quickly become enfolded in the body. Saul teaches daily of how Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophecies. He shares his conversion story too, for those who ask.
They are at ‘home’ in this body of believers. In the blink of an eye, a year has gone by. The body of believers have adopted a new name for themselves. They want to be Christ like in all they do, so they begin calling themselves Christians. The name sticks right away and is spread throughout the region.
Today, a prophet named Agabus, came to them from Jerusalem. They welcome him with open arms and invite him to speak.
“Brothers, I have come to you for a purpose. I have been sent by the Lord to deliver a message regarding times to come. I have shared this same word in each region where I stopped. But I believe this message is more for this body than any other.”
The people wait eagerly for the word from the Lord.
“The Lord has revealed to me that there is to be a great famine over all the world. The believers in Judea will suffer the most. Those of the believers who can, should help.”
The people look at one another with great concern. “We cannot let our brothers and sisters suffer. We must do whatever we can to help them” replies many in the congregation.
Saul and Barnabas whole heartedly agree as well.
“Brothers and sisters, what do you propose we do” asks Samuel.
“We will take a collection and send it to the believers in Judea” answers one man.
All quickly agree with him, until another speaks up.
“We need to make sure it gets distributed to those with the most pressing need. We should send it to the apostles in Jerusalem, and by the hand of Saul and Barnabas. That way we know it will arrive safely.”
The plan is quickly adopted and takes on a life of its own. A week later, Saul and Barnabas are ready for their journey back to Jerusalem. They will be bringing an abundance of money and supplies, gathered by the believers in Antioch.
Before setting off, Saul calls everyone together to pray.
“Lord God, we thank You first for the opportunity to bless Your body in other parts of the world. We pray for Your hand of protection as we bring these heartfelt gifts to the place where they will be needed. I pray that You bless those who gave out of their abundance and want. Bless them with a good return on their offerings. Watch over them in our absence, as You always have, even before we came. They have blessed us beyond measure! Return that blessing upon their heads. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Saul and Barnabas set off for Jerusalem, knowing that their arrival time will coincide with the season of Passover.
“We will have plenty of company on the roads for this journey” remarks Saul.
“More people to share the gospel with” replies Barnabas.
“Very true brother. Very true!”
(to be continued)
I was wondering why Saul didn’t establish a church in Tarsus, until the Spirit reminded me of the passage I used. A prophet is never without honor, except in his home town or among his own family.
I see what that means in my own family. My children, no matter how much I love them and they love me, are beyond MY reach spiritually. They have ‘heard it all’ growing up. But they are NOT beyond God’s reach! Just like Saul was able to reach people because of his story, I firmly believe there will be someone in each of my children’s lives that can reach them for the Lord, because of their story. All I need do is put them in God’s hands. And LEAVE them there. That last part is the hardest for me.
As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God because He was my friend.
Instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
‘How could You be so slow?’
‘My child, what could I do,
‘You never did let go.’
I received this poem on a little card from one of my cousins. It has stuck with me for YEARS for good reason.
Father God, help me truly let go and let You have Your perfect work. Show me where YOU want me to add or support Your work along the way, with ways YOU give me to do so. And help me stand back and watch the wonders You do in my family’s lives.
Thank You in advance for all You are about to do, no matter how long it takes.
