Influencing authority

Acts 13:4-12

Simon Pellew was the founder and first chief executive of Pecan. As a result of the work he did establishing that charity’s work with the unemployed, he was invited to join The Social Exclusion Unit where he was able to have some influence over the development of policy on how to help the most disadvantaged in our society. He’s an example of the kind of thing Paul did as he traveled around the Roman Empire. Acts 13:1-14:28 is a single story telling us how Paul mixed with the powerful to further the Kingdom of God. This story shows how Paul preached to those who knew the Bible (13:16-41) and those who didn’t (14:15-17); and it shows the effects of his ministry in the lives of ordinary people and Roman Governors alike. So what do we learn?

1) Family man

The church at Antioch was a strong and recognized community. It was almost certainly the Roman authorities who called them ‘Christians’. We know this because the word is derived from Latin (the official language of the Empire), not Greek, the language spoken in Antioch; and because nowhere in the New Testament is this the way that followers of Jesus describe themselves. The term Christian appears only three times: Acts 11:25, 26:28 (where Agrippa spits back at Paul that he doesn’t stand a change of persuading him to join his dangerous sect) and 1 Peter 4:16 (where the author turns the Roman label into a badge of honour). Paul is a proud member of this community:

i) Sharing leadership: (1-3) what a mixed bag – socially, racially, culturally; a black man next to an Arab; someone from Herod’s court next to a converted Pharisee; and none of them from Antioch! Paul is happy to add his gifts to this team and to work with whoever God sent along

ii) Sensitive to the Holy Spirit: how did everyone feel about this (2): The church is being asked to lose its key teachers? Paul and Barnabas are being asked to leave a fruitful ministry? Nothing forever in church – even in these very early days – the world moves on, ministries have to as well:

> take a look around you: are we ready for change to meet a changed world?

2) Fearless

It takes courage to get up and go, to change: but as God calls, so he gives it. Paul is so confident in God that he can stand in court of Caesar’s representative and strike an opponent (who is this proconsul’s advisor) blind! He’s not intimidated by:

i) Rival powers: Elymas had spiritual power and political influence; he fears losing his place at court – look at how Paul describes him in 10, 6 especially that word ‘false’. But

Paul knows the story he lives by is more powerful than that of his rival – here is a graphic example of Luke 12:11 – signs and speech that show the truth of the gospel

ii) Roman politicians: Paul and Barnabas are invited to explain their presence on his island by the proconsul. Clearly he’s interested in ideas – he probably saw Paul and Barnabas as wandering philosophers. But he’s also keen to ensure that these guys are not threat to public order. Paul’s boldness results in him ‘beginning to believe’ (a better translation of the verb in v12)

> Do we trust power of gospel in the public square or stay safely in our buildings?

3) Follows God’s lead

Twice we read that the Holy Spirit sent them (2, 4a); the same Holy Spirit empowers Paul (9): Why this itinerary? Why these encounters? Because God is opening doors for Paul and Barnabas to walk through. But it’s not entirely haphazard on their part; they don’t just set off and wait for guidance:

i) Plans: 9:15f:. How will Paul fulfill God’s call? By going to places where both Jews and especially Gentiles who are open to persuasion because they already know some of story are going to be: the so-called ‘god-fearers’ who gathered at synagogues across the empire. They were Paul’s primary target in Acts, hence the fact he always starts there (5, 15, 43)

ii) Places: Paul and Barnabas head straight for Roman cities. Why?

ü Paul is a Roman citizen and in Roman colonies and cities he has some protection from stone throwers. Plus he gets to tell those in charge of the empire who really calls shots in world.

ü Does Sergius Paulus give Paul and Barnabas letters of introduce them to officials in Pisidian Antioch? Is this why Saul changes his name at this point? It’s known that the Pauli family had extensive land holdings around Pisidian Antioch and that grandchildren of Sergius Paulus were almost certainly Christians. So, it seems very plausible. It seems that Paul is not afraid to form relationships with the political authorities if through these he could further the interests of the Kingdom of God.

> are we? How can we use them to best effect?

Areas for further discussion [remember the questions scattered through the notes]

How do you think we hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us as individuals? And as a church?

How do we feel about change – in our personal lives? In society? In church?

Do we think that Christian ideas and principles get a fair hearing in Britain today? What ought we to be doing to ensure they do?

Do we believe the gospel has power to change people lives? To change the society we live in?

How can we help the church to spread the Christian message to our neighbours?

What kind of relationships should we be forming with local and national government to further the interests of the Kingdom of God?

What doors do we think the Holy Spirit might be opening for us as a church?