And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. (Acts 20:4-5)

It’s one of those little sections of the Bible that we sometimes dread, or even skip over – just another list of names, and most of them hard to pronounce. Yet we believe that every line of God’s word is a gift from Him, and there is treasure on each page if we look for it.

Perhaps one gold nugget is found in the names of the two men from Thessalonica who accompanied Paul. Their names were Aristarchus and Secundus. They were among this larger group traveling with Paul to Jerusalem. Paul had collected a generous offering from these mainly Gentile churches and was happy to bring it to the needy Christians in Jerusalem and Judea. This was a wonderful gesture of true unity – the mostly Gentile-background Christians from the west loving and caring for the mostly Jewish-background Christians from the east. This team waited for Paul and Luke to arrive and continue their journey towards Jerusalem.

The names of these traveling companions of Paul tell a little story; and what follows isn’t certain from the text, but simply a logical inference from their names. Aristarchus and Secundus both came from Thessalonica, but they were probably two very different kinds of men.

The name Aristarchus related to aristocracy, the ruling class. It’s likely that he came from a wealthy and powerful family – it is just the kind of name that would be given to a nobleman. We can suppose that he was a man of high status.

Secundus was a common name for a slave. It meant “Second.” Slaves were often not called by their true names, and the first-ranking slave in a household would often be called Primus. The second-ranking slave was often called Secundus.

So, there they were – Aristarchus and Secundus, one probably a nobleman and the other probably a slave. Yet side by side they served the Lord and the Apostle Paul. This true fellowship between noblemen and slaves was a scandal to many in the Roman world; they found it hard to believe that they sat together and served together in church. Yet they did, because they each thought who they were in Jesus Christ was more important than who they were thought to be in this world.

It has rightly been said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross of Jesus. There is no one from such a high station of life that they don’t need Jesus. There is no one from such a low station of life that Jesus can’t lift them up. Everyone – both high and low – must humble themselves and come through the same gate of faith to Jesus. It doesn’t matter if you are an Aristarchus or a Secundus – Jesus is your only way, and He is the same way for all.

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:9-11)

Paul was in the city of Corinth, one of the major cities of the Roman Empire. Corinth was set at an important crossroads of trade and travel, and it was a city notorious for its hedonism and immorality.

To this great and challenging city, Paul came humbly. Later he wrote to the Christians in Corinth and reminded them of how he first came: And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God…. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:1, 3)

Paul felt his weakness so severely that Jesus came with some special encouragement. The Lord spoke to Paul in the night and told him, do not be afraid. The implication was that Paul was afraid, fearing that in Corinth his work would be cut short by either opposing Jews (as in Thessalonica and Berea) or by the highly-charged worldliness around him.

Paul was to put away fear – but he was also to boldly continue. Jesus told him to speak, and do not keep silent. The solution to Paul’s fear was to obey Jesus’ command to not be afraid; and to speak and not keep silent – that is, to keep getting the word of God out. Jesus didn’t tell Paul that his opponents wouldn’t try to stop him, only that they would not be successful (no one will attack you to hurt you).

There was a basis for the command to keep preaching – Jesus promised, for I am with you. When we understand what this means, and Who says it, this is enough. If Jesus is for us and with us, then what can possibly be against us?

Then Jesus spoke an additional word of encouragement: for I have many people in this city. This was a constant assurance to Paul, who must have often had doubts about the survival and health of the Corinthian church.

Because Paul received the encouragement Jesus gave, he continued there a year and six months. This seems to be longer than in any other city where Paul founded a church. His work at Corinth is described simply: teaching the word of God among them.

Do you need some special encouragement? You can find it in what Jesus promised Paul and Jesus promises all who love Him and seek to serve Him.

– You have the promise of Jesus’ presence.
– You have the command to keep honoring Jesus and His message.
– You have the promise that you aren’t the only believer in your community.

Receive this special encouragement from Jesus today!

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they. (Acts 15:10-11)

The apostles and leading men of the church gathered at Jerusalem to decide a controversial issue. Many Gentiles were coming to faith in Jesus, but some insisted that these Gentiles had to become Jews first, and then they could become followers of Jesus.

Peter, Paul, and other apostles argued strongly against this. Peter said they would test God if they brought the Gentiles under the law of Moses. It would be putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither their Jewish ancestors nor the Jewish people of his day were able to bear.

This is demonstrated by a survey of Israel’s history. At the birth of the nation at Mount Sinai, they broke the law by worshipping the golden calf. At the end of Old Testament history, they also broke the law by disregarding the Sabbath and marrying pagan women (Nehemiah 13). From beginning to end, Israel could not bear the yoke of the law.

This controversy was with some from the sect of the Pharisees who believed (Acts 15:5), and they made a critical mistake. They looked at Israel’s history under the law with eyes of nostalgia, not truth. If they had carefully and truthfully considered Israel’s failure under the law, they would not have been so quick to also put Gentiles under the law.

Paul made the same argument in Galatians 3:2-3. If the law does not save us, why would we return to it as the principle by which we live? Considering the finished work of Jesus, it offends God to go back to the law. So, Peter asked, “why do you test God?”

Peter concluded with the observation that it is through grace that all are saved – both Jew and Gentile – and not by obedience to the law. If we are made right with God by grace, then we are not saved by grace and law-keeping. In this, Peter also insisted there is only one way of salvation: We [Jews] shall be saved in the same manner as they [Gentiles]. Jewish Christians were not saved, even in part, by their law-keeping; they were made right with God the same way Gentiles were: Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We would think that Peter would have said it the opposite way – that the Gentiles could find salvation just like the Jewish people. Yet Peter turned it around and noted that all are saved by grace alone through faith alone, Gentiles and Jews. Peter realized that the good news of salvation in Jesus – and not in ourselves and our obedience – is good news for everyone. We and they are saved the same way.

Have you received and trusted in this good news?

Dear Reader: Once again, a foundation has generously pledged a matching funds grant to Enduring Word this summer. Your generosity counts for double, and helps us with all our work, especially translating my commentary into many languages. To partner with us in this special opportunity, click here.

 

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. (Acts 13:4-5)

Acts 13 is a special chapter. It explains how the remarkable missionary tours of the Apostle Paul began. As Paul and others in the congregation at Antioch served and worshipped God, the Holy Spirit spoke to all present and said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them (Acts 13:2).

Everyone concerned obeyed God, and Paul and Barnabas went as the Holy Spirit told them to do. That’s why we read, being sent out by the Holy Spirit. The Christians of the church at Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul; but more importantly, the Holy Spirit sent them. Any group of Christians can send someone, but if the Holy Spirit doesn’t send them, it won’t amount to eternally effective ministry.

Their first stop was Seleucia, near Antioch. We aren’t told of any specific work that took place there. Since Seleucia wasn’t far from Antioch, where there was a thriving church, it isn’t difficult to assume there was already a group of Christians there in that port city.

From there, they set out for the island of Cyprus, heading first for Salamis. This was the beginning of the famous missionary tours of Apostle Paul. Every great work has a beginning, a starting point – and this was it for Paul’s career as a missionary.

Here’s something to think about: Why did they go to Cyprus first? We aren’t told that the Holy Spirit specifically guided them there, and we don’t read about any unusual need in Cyprus. All we know is that the Holy Spirit told them to go, and they started in Cyprus.

Here’s what I think. We know that Barnabas grew up on Cyprus (Acts 4:36). When Paul and Barnabas got together, I think it was something like this:

“Paul, the Holy Spirit told us to go out and preach the gospel and establish churches.”

“That’s great, Barnabas – let’s go. But where should we start?”

“I don’t know Paul – but I grew up on Cyprus, and they sure need Jesus there.”

“Barnabas, that’s a great idea. Let’s start in Cyprus!”

Here is a lesson to draw from this. When the Holy Spirit gives you specific guidance, then by all means follow it (of course, being open to further guidance along the way). But when the Holy Spirit only gives you a general course, then plan out the details with common sense and meeting the needs that are close to you.

Sometimes we delay our obedience because we think we need to know every detail before we take a single step. Don’t get caught in that trap. Go forth in sanctified common sense and let God guide you along the way.

Dear Reader: Once again, a foundation has generously pledged a matching funds grant to Enduring Word this summer. Your generosity counts for double, and helps us with all our work, especially translating my commentary into many languages. To partner with us in this special opportunity, click here.

 

Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26)

God was moving in the city of Antioch, and the church there flourished. Barnabas was probably exhausted and overwhelmed by all the work and opportunities for God’s kingdom, and then he remembered Saul of Tarsus. He searched Paul out and brought him to Antioch to help.

Together, Barnabas and Saul taught a great many people, making the church in Antioch strong and a center for great teaching and preaching. The Holy Spirit was at work among the disciples of Jesus, and this made the church community in Antioch something special and world-impacting.

So, we read with interest that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. It wasn’t until these years at the Church in Syrian Antioch that the name Christian became associated with the followers of Jesus.

– They had been called disciples (Acts 1:15).
– They had been called saints (Acts 9:13).
– They had been called believers (Acts 5:14).
– They had been called brothers (Acts 6:3).
– They had been called witnesses (Acts 5:32).
– They had been called followers of the Way (Acts 9:2).
– They would be called Nazarenes (Acts 24:5).
– Now they would be called Christians.

In Latin, the ending ian meant “the party of.” A Christ-ian was “of the party of Jesus.” Christians was like saying “Jesus-ites,” or “Jesus People,” describing the people associated with Jesus Christ.

Also, soldiers under generals in the Roman army identified themselves by their general’s name by adding ianto the end. A soldier under Caesar would call himself a Caesarian. Soldiers under Jesus Christ could be called Christians.

In Antioch, they probably first used the term Christians to mock the followers of Jesus. But as the people of Antioch called the followers of Jesus the “Jesus People,” the believers appreciated the title so much that it stuck.

Eusebius, the famous early church historian, described a believer named Sanctus from Lyons, France, who was tortured for Jesus. As they tortured him cruelly, they hoped to make him say something evil or blasphemous. They asked his name, and he only replied, “I am a Christian.” “What nation do you belong to?” He answered, “I am a Christian.” “What city do you live in?” “I am a Christian.” His questioners began to get angry: “Are you a slave or a free man?” “I am a Christian” was his only reply. No matter what they asked about him, he only answered, “I am a Christian.” This made his torturers even more determined to break him, but they could not, and he died with the words “I am a Christian” on his lips.

Understood rightly, it’s a glorious title. Can you say it? “I am a Christian. I belong to Jesus.”