City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

²⁶ When he arrived in Jerusalem, [Paul] tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. ²⁷ Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. -Acts 9:26-27

Reflection

When you look at the disciples, most of whom died for what they believed in, you think of them as bold and courageous men of God. Men of God who you want to aspire to be as a disciple of Christ. What you forget is that these men are just as human as us. Take a minute and truly read verse 26 as if the disciples were bold men who feared no one, would they then have feared Paul? God was definitely with the disciples who were filled with the Holy Spirit, and doing miracles and wonders amongst the people. Yet, they feared Paul? Ahh, so they were flawed too, yes? They are human like us with emotions?

Actually, if you think of it, the two who were the most bold were not the original disciples, but recent converts. Paul, who killed Christians, had the audacity to walk in among those who would’ve taken his life(though, I think at this point he knew that Christians would never seek revenge) and expect to be treated like a brother. Yikes. The second person was Barnabas, who had previously sold his own property for the church(Acts 4:36) and decided to one, befriend Paul; and two, vouch for him to the disciples. Talk about boldness.

Now, did the disciples have a spirit of fear? No, we have to be careful to draw that line because they did keep preaching the Word of God amongst the Jews in the temple and most were eventually killed for their beliefs. But the verses do tell us something about true friendship and true boldness, and that these traits are sometimes found in people that we least expect to find them in.

Application

It is often the case where, when we have more to lose, that we become less bold in our faith. There is a reason why recent converts tends to be the most ‘on fire’ for Christ, because they were once lost and are now found. They have found the true peace of Christ and there is a boldness in their witness.

I do think it is the importance of the church to both build a foundation of believers for teaching and preaching to the body of Christ, but also to stoke the fire in others, to evangelize and encourage evangelism, especially amongst new believers who have nothing to lose and everything to gain. These believers will then, in return, help revitalize the church and thus keep carrying on the mission of reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus.

Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost,
But now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
-Amazing Grace by John Newton (1779)

Prayer

Father in heaven, help me to live with a sense of boldness in my life. Let me be encouraged by seeing others receive Christ and to trust in You for when and how to share Your Gospel with the lost of this world. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.