In this section of the book of Acts, starting in chapter 12, the narrative is now shifting from Peter, as the primary character, to Paul until the end of the book.
In other words, Luke, the author of this book, as well as the Gospel according to Luke, stops talking about Peter in chapter 12 while bringing into the story the Apostle Paul, also known as Saul.
To help us with this reflection, you will need to review my previous articles in this study series of the Book of Acts. First, let’s look at chapter 11.
The story is a continuation of what took place in chapter 10. I talked more about it in my reflection, The Supernatural.
From the very genesis of the Christian movement, religious leaders have always opposed it. That’s a given. Right? Remember that they killed the leader of this movement, Jesus Christ. So, how would you think they would have reacted when the same message came back to life on the Day of Pentecost?
The first person to lose his life because of his faith in Jesus Christ, as recorded in Acts 7, is Stephen. Remember that the Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, was present on the site when the crowd stoned Stephen to death because of his faith in Jesus Christ.
But, Saul’s life will change, on his way to Damascus with the mission to arrest more Christians following the order of the religious leaders in Jerusalem (see Acts 9). How ironic … Jesus decides to use the one who was persecuting His church.
[bctt tweet=”Any human being, no matter how evil they may seem to be, can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ!” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
Paul will reappear later in chapter 11 and towards the end of chapter 12. This chapter describes how the persecution against this apostolic church (primarily led by the Apostles) continues to grow. Now, instead of only the religious leaders doing it, king Herod joins the group of people who oppose this movement.
He is going to arrest James, one of the primary leaders in Jerusalem, and have him hilled. To satisfy the crowds more, king Herod will also arrest Peter and imprison him.
Peter and all the other Christians are going through real tribulations. A lot of disciples, out of fear of losing their lives, would even decide to leave Jerusalem or any nearby city to non-Jewish places or towns.
How do we find encouragement within tribulations? And, how the book of Acts can help us with that?
Signs of God’s Presence
As persecution against the Christians was growing, so were signs of God’s Presence with them increasing.
Look at chapter 12 as an example. Peter is in prison and chained. In the middle of the night, he hears somebody touch him and ask him to get up. When he gets up, the chains fell off his body.
The man then asks Peter to follow him. At first, Peter thought it was just a dream. But, after he has passed through the guards and is now standing outside the prison on the street, that’s when he realizes that it is not a dream. His miraculous escape from prison is a real experience.
Whether it is tribulations as a result of our Christian faith or not, the point in the story is to shift our focus.
God is always at work, just as He was in the disciples’ lives. Peter’s experience is a clear sign that God’s presence is not just a spiritual experience. It can also be so tangible and visible.
In tribulations, what we have to do isn’t to focus on what’s causing them, but where is God in all that we are facing.
You hear a lot about signs of God’s presence also during Paul’s missionary journeys. Let’s now move to chapter 14 where Paul and Barnabas are already on their first missionary journey, which started in chapter 13.
In chapter 14, we come across another example of God’s presence as Paul heals a crippled man (Acts 14:8-10). It’s a little bit similar to Peter’s healing of the lame man at the temple (Acts 3).
Unbelieving Jews will persecute Paul and Barnabas to the point of having Paul stoned.
Stay Humble
Paul, and the other disciples, in spite of the tangible demonstration of God’s presence, in so many other instances, chose to give glory back to God.
Look at the story about the healing of the crippled man in Acts 14. The people in the city wanted to give credit to Paul and Barnabas to the point of worshipping them.
Paul and Barnabas refused any credit from the people. In other words, they chose to let God be the center of the people’s attention.
Read what they say,
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way (Acts 14:14-16).
[bctt tweet=”Humility is acknowledging our humanity. It’s the choice of making God the focus, and not us. It’s about the message, the good news inviting people back to the living God. ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]
Tribulations can become tools to help us stay humble. No matter what you face, use it a means God can use to help you stay humble.
Staying humble, when you go through tribulations, is the only place that can allow you to grow as a human being.
Look at whatever life throws at you as a building tool God uses to transform you into a winner, stronger, and better person.
To do so, you have to intentionally look for God in every situation you face while staying humble when you experience signs of God’s presence in your life.
A Life of Testimony
One last thing we learn from the book of Acts, and primarily, in chapter 14, is that the disciples never stopped sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Paul and the other disciples never quit on their faith and, more importantly, being Christ’s witnesses in spite of all the opposition they got from the people. Even when they were being stoned or killed, they continued telling the story of their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
There’s so much we should be very thankful for today. I don’t know what’s troubling you as you read this reflection. If you set aside the challenge you’re facing, is there not anything you can be thankful for? Is there not something you have and someone else doesn’t?
In Conclusion
Based on chapters 11 through 14 in the book of Acts, we have learned three things that can help us face any tribulation. Whether this comes from people who oppose our faith in Christ., or it’s something life throws at us, God’s presence, staying humble, and life of testimony will always help us live as winners, no matter what difficult times, through which we go.
