Acts 11-12

Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2011-12&version=NIV


In the Old Testament, we learned that God’s plan was that His salvation would reach to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). Salvation would be offered to all nations. Through the church of Acts, we see our amazing and sovereign Lord at work in fulfilling his promise. Isn’t it amazing that God used Saul first as a non believer, then as a believer? In chapter 8, on the day of Stephen’s death, Saul began to destroy the church and they scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Those who had been scattered preached wherever they went. God was able to use Saul as a persecutor to spread the gospel to far off places through these events. Now, after the conversion, God will use Saul, to spread the gospel to the Gentiles beginning in Antioch. Antioch, a largely pagan city where cults worshipped Artemis, Apollo and Astarte, would be transformed into a leading city for the spreading of the gospel.

God’s sovereignty is also seen in the success of the apostles efforts in evangelism. Acts 11:21 says ‘The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” God empowered them through the Holy Spirit and many were saved during this time. Not only was the Holy Spirit at work in guiding the evangelism efforts, but you can be sure he was at work in the hearts of those who were saved.

We also, of course see God’s divine sovereignty with the death of Herod:

“On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:21-24).

The leader of the opposition was taken out in a very public way. Immediately, because he did not give praise to God, he was struck down. I can just imagine the looks of the faces of those people who had just praised Herod as a god and immediately watched him be destroyed. Herod did not survive, but the Word of God continued to spread and flourish. God’s plan to spread the gospel would not be thwarted then and it won’t be thwarted now. I know it seems that we live in a world of darkness (we do), but keep focused on the light. Access to the Word of God is now more available through global ministries and the internet than it ever has been before. God has granted repentance that leads to life for us all. We must continue to pray for the boldness to share the good news in our own back yards and across the world. We can trust that God’s hand will be with us in this endeavor and that he will empower us with the words to speak and the opportunities to speak.



Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe