Acts 14:1-7 Learning to give testimonies: keeping them short. What happens when we testify? People think, consider, and hopefully are impacted by our personal relationship with Jesus. No-one can take our testimony away from us regardless of what they might believe and argue about. But what happens when Jesus testifies?
The background to this event: the team is in Antioch. The message about the Messiah was received with enthusiasm. The message focused on God’s immeasurable grace by fulfilling his promises made long ago which includes the nations as well as Israel. The message also shows the power of God to do such wonderful feats because Jesus is alive from the dead! But the jealous ones insisted the civic leaders against them and drove them out of the city.
Now they walk on to Iconium and have a similar experience with the Message shared! Here, though there is opposition, it is not physically violent. So they have peace (a manuscript dated later includes to show why the ‘therefore’ is included) and they stay on. Verse 3 is central to this passage: Jesus testifies
By confirming his word
By working miracles using the hands of the disciples!
Vs 4 speaks of the division in the city and verse 5 shows their intent.
Vs.6&7 show their escape to continue preaching this message.
Notice that in none of these places were the disciples evicted! A community of those believing in Messiah Jesus remains and prospers even after the pioneers leave.
What do we notice about these new communities of fellowship?
They are centered around Jesus! Not on moral issues, political issues, not on anything other than Jesus! The new life life is that we become the bearers of the image of Jesus! Not comparing, judging, demanding, but allowing God’s Spirit to transform us. It requires grace and forgiveness as the foundation of miracles done in our lives. That is the critical ingredient. That is the foundation that we build upon! (Those who believe can disappoint as well, so that is a subject we will look at as we move forward.)
The communities of faith are gatherings of small house groups:
They are focused on the foundations of relationship
They imply new thinking and new activities not based on idol worship or legal control by the interpretation of others. This is radically new because it focuses on how the life of Jesus flows through the believers! Life, not perfection, not legalistic controls by a few elites who can read and write.
The word of grace brings hope to troubled souls.
The key to this is believing that Jesus is able to forgive your sins and heal your wounds. Repentance is the result of believing in Jesus! Freedom from guilt and shame is the result of our confession as Jesus meets us with his power.
Unity with all those who have such an experience follows that as well! The journey of a new life in Christ begins. These are the steps of a good person!
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” Psalms 37:23-24