Week Fifteen

Written By Melissa Rightmire

Week 14 was filled with one account after another of how the Spirit of the Living God was moving in power to make Himself known to all people! We ended last week with the first general council of the Church — capital C, which provided a great model for solving disputes. Yet, that did not preclude the fact that sometimes strong believers, even the renowned Paul, could have a sharp disagreement with someone with whom he worked so closely. Human nature continues among those we consider the most sanctified, but our frailties do not stop the move of God.

This week Luke joins the story he has been writing (Acts 16.10). Now it is not simply accounts that he verified, the rest of the story depicts his experiences with a focus on Paul’s leadership and life. Luke became part of the group traveling with Paul, Silas, Timothy, and others. It seems one of the first places he gets to go is Philippi. There they find a prayer meeting by the river. Most likely another divinely orchestrated appointment. They mostly met with women who would have been Jewish. Apparently there were not enough Jewish men, 10 were required to create a synagogue, so believers went outside the city gates to worship and pray. The miracle of God continues as Lydia and her household all become believers and are immediately baptized.

Once again, the gospel is met with opposition. Paul and Silas were arrested and we read about the 3rd prison break in Acts. I’m wondering if by this point, it’s simply expected that something miraculous happens when disciples of Jesus are sent to prison! This week’s readings take us to familiar cities where Paul and his entourage preach the gospel. In the weeks and months ahead we will read letters that he wrote to many of the congregations he started on his life long journey. If you have time this week, take a few extra minutes to familiarize yourself with the letters written to believers in Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philipi, and Galatia. All cities which are now infamous.

The only reason these cities are infamous is because of obedient disciples that made disciples that made disciples. This is our calling too. What is the name of your neighborhood? Your township? Your city? Have you accepted the call to take the gospel there or somewhere else? Even though the places you are now thinking of all have names known to us, could they become infamous if the gospel is preached with boldness, people are baptized, and new disciples are made?

I would love to know what your discipleship journey looks like or where you are called to take the gospel. You can write a comment below, or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 15:

Melissa Rightmire
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