FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM

5/7/2022

May 7 - Start Your Day Right Devotion

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE
CALLED THEM

Paul and Barnabas were called by God into missionary service (to take Christ’s message to other people groups, countries, and cultures) and were commissioned by the church at Antioch (Acts 11:26). The nature of this work is described in Acts 9:15; 13:5; 22:14-15, 21; 26:16-18.

Paul and Barnabas were called to preach the gospel (the “good news” of forgiveness and new life through faith in Christ), leading men and women into a personal relationship with Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that New Testament missionaries were sent to other regions of the world to do social or political work only. Their goal was to introduce people to Christ (Acts 16:31; 20:21), rescue and free them from Satan’s power (Acts 26:18), invite the Holy Spirit to empower them (Acts 19:6) and establish them in local churches. By the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through them, these new Christians received and used spiritual gifts (God-given abilities for the purpose of honoring Him and benefiting the church, 1 Corinthians 12 – 13). The ministry of the Spirit allowed them, in turn, to carry out God’s life-transforming work in their communities.
Christian missionaries today must be devoted to the same kind of activity; to be ministers (servants) of Christ and messengers of His gospel (“good news”). While missionaries may serve many practical needs as well (particularly in cultures that are closed to public preaching of the gospel), their primary purpose must still be to introduce people to Christ; He is the only One who can rescue them from the consequences of sin and rebellion against God and from Satan’s power (Acts 26:18). Beyond that, a missionary’s work involves discipling new believers (training them in the practical disciplines of following Christ and learning from His Word on a daily basis). This includes encouraging them to receive the Holy Spirit and His gifts (Acts 2:38; 8:17) and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Along with this ministry should be signs, wonders and miracles – including healing the sick and freeing those oppressed by demons (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 8:7; 10:38; Mark 16:17-18). The primary tsk of preaching the message about Jesus also should include practical and personal acts of love and kindness to those in need (Galatians 2:10). In this way, all who are called to spread Christ’s message will model their ministry on Jesus’ example (Luke 9:2).

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS I USE

NIV Bible
KJV Reference Bible
Bible Gateway
Bible Hub
Blue Letter Bible

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