This sixteenth chapter of Acts is so filled with drama and twists and turns that I have to think it would make a great TV series. Any way you slice this account, it is filled with courage and faithfulness and, in the end, triumphs for the Gospel.
I asked several friends to tell me about the “strangest and most dangerous” situation in which they had tried to be a witness for Jesus Christ. (Most of us feel that kind of experience was for another day.) I got a range of answers: “I refused to drink liquor at a college party.” “I registered as a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam War.” “I went on a mission trip to Honduras.” “I went into the ministry even though my family wanted me to work in the family lumber business.” “I got involved in politics so I could work for justice issues.”
One thing I notice about Paul’s witness is that he did not go looking for trouble; trouble seemed to find him. Perhaps his greatest testimony is that he simply was ready for whatever life put on his plate: travel (v. 10), conversation (v. 13), a wealthy woman (v. 14), an abused girl (v. 16), a severe beating (v. 22), prison (v. 23), an earthquake (v. 26), a potential suicide (v. 27), a conversion (v. 31), an apology (v. 39), community (v. 40). That’s quite a mix of opportunities!
How do I know if my outreach is my own doing or if it is the leading of the Holy Spirit? For Paul, that concern was answered by asking another question: “Is this action in the spirit of Jesus Christ?” (vv. 7, 18). The measurement of a mission’s integrity is its faithfulness to the ministry and touch of Jesus Christ.
The closing verse (v. 40) of this week’s text describes the apostles’ departure as one when they “encouraged” (NRSV), “comforted” (King James Version), “exhorted” (Henry Alford translation) the brothers and sisters who would remain. With those various renditions, I was curious about the word being translated. It turns out that it is parakalĕö, a word formed from two words: call near. Now we get a sense of community (call near) as the context for mission. The witness has created community and out of that community will come even more testimony and sharing, even in “strange and dangerous places.”
What Someone Else Has Said: In Human Liberation in a Feminist Perspective—a Theology (Westminster Press), Letty M. Russell has written: “If we adopt the stance that the form of ministry of the church is derivative from its functions as a participant in God’s Mission or traditioning action, it follows that there will be many models of ministry, both within one Christian community and across the world.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Send me, Lord, as You will...”
