ACTS 11:27

The Bible says in Acts 11:27-30, “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea; Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” There was no such thing as Social Security or welfare in the first century, and neither did there need to be, not for Christians, because they took care of each other. One of the reasons that God gives you more than you need is so that you can help those who have less than they need.

The giving of tithes is not commanded anywhere in the New Testament epistles written to the churches. A much more challenging principle than a mere ten percent is found. One day every believer will give an account of everything that God has put into our lives: gifts and abilities, as well as material possessions. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, nor of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” These believers who were helping out other believers in such trying circumstances undoubtedly gave much more than ten percent.

The Bible says in Acts 12:1-4, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people.” As far as we know every one of the apostles were martyred for the cause of Christ. James, the brother of John, was the first one. James was murdered by the wicked king Herod. Beyond the sin of murder, Herod committed the same sin that other evil politicians commit: he cared about public opinion more than doing the right thing. The apostles gave their lives in the service of Christ. What have you given to Him?

Because Herod had received such favor from the Jewish leaders for killing James, Herod was going to do the same thing with the Apostle Peter. But God had other plans for Peter. It was not Peter’s time. When all is said and done, God decides who comes into the world, and who leaves it and when they leave it. The Bible says in Acts 12:5-11, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he said unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out and followed him; and knew not that it was true that was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

This incident in the life of Peter shows us that God is capable of doing anything and performing any miracle necessary to protect His children. If God still has something for you to do in this world, He is going to find a way to protect you even if it means sending an angel as He did for Peter. This incident also shows once again that God answers prayer. The church had been praying for Peter. Notice that when the angel came to Peter, he said to Peter, “Arise up quickly.” Perhaps there is a symbolic meaning to this. Sometimes when God asks us to do something, He wants us to do it quickly. He wants us to be decisive and to not hesitate. Are you going to follow God and go His way for you or not? Peter did not know all that was happening. He did not know what would be the outcome of obeying and following in this situation, but he did it anyway. Once you know the direction that God wishes you to go, then it will always work out for the best when you go His way for you.

Continuing to speak of Peter, the Bible says in Acts 12:12-17, “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place.” Perhaps the most notable thing about this passage is that even though these believers had been praying that Peter would be delivered, they could not believe that he was actually knocking at the gate. Surely such a thing would never happen in our day and age. Surely there are no Christians today who pray for something, but then after praying, fail to believe that God is going to answer the prayers and take action based upon the prayers that were made to Him! God wants us to pray, but He also wants us to believe. If you pray about something, then act like you have put it into God hands and that you know that now God is going to intervene and do His will.

The Bible says in Acts 12:18-23, “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon; but they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” Herod was going to put Peter to death. Instead it was Herod who died. It seems that many of the world’s leaders have made the same mistake that Herod made. They have forgotten that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. The judgment is coming.

Anyone who has a place of power or authority was given it by God. “The powers that be are ordained of God.” God lifteth up, and God casteth down. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away that which He hath given. Those who have authority will one day answer to the One who gave them such authority. “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” God is still the judge of everyone and everything. Herod was cruel to Christians for a period of time, and for a period of time he rose in power and influence to the point that people shouted and said of him when he spoke, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” But the time of God’s judgment came, and Herod fell down dead and was eaten of worms. A similar fate awaits everyone who turns away from God. Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” One thousand years before, King David knew what would happen when authorities did not serve God. He tried to warn them. He wrote in Psalms 2:10-12, “Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.”

The Bible says in Acts 12:24-13:2, “But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” It is important to note the circumstances under which Paul became a missionary: in other words why he became one. It is equally important to note that for the same reason the leaders of the church recognized that Paul was to be sent out for that work. The Spirit said to them all, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Paul entered into the ministry that he entered into because of the leading of the Spirit. That is the only reason that anyone should enter into such a ministry. Those who are on a pastor search committee should look for this one thing above all else: which person is God’s choice for our congregation. Some search committees put so many restrictions and requirements on the person they would choose, that there is a good chance that God’s choice for them will never even be considered. They were choosing the great missionary of the Mediterranean world. If the requirement was that this person already had to have experience for five years being a missionary to the Mediterranean world, then they would have never chosen the Apostle Paul. God prepared Paul the way that God wanted to prepare him. Are you able to listen to the Spirit? Maybe the Spirit wants to tell you whom to choose for a particular responsibility. That is the requirement that you need to be looking for. God prepares people and calls them for a particular work. If you get anyone for a task except the one that God is calling, then no matter how well qualified they seem to be, you have gotten the wrong person.

The Bible says in Acts 13:3-5, “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.” Before Paul and Barnabas were sent out, the believers did three things: they fasted, they prayed, and they laid their hands on them. Fasting was symbolic of the fact that they had their priorities right. Spiritual things are more important than material things. If you really believe that, then once in a while you will forgo material things for the sake of gaining the spiritual.

They prayed before they sent out Barnabas and Paul. You should pray before you do anything, especially anything of importance. God answers prayer. You need to be led by God in all that you do, and how can you be led by Him unless you commit things to His hands through prayer? You have not, because you ask not. Pray without ceasing. Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.”

They fasted, they prayed, and they laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas. The laying on of hands was symbolic in the sense of saying: You are going into this endeavor with our encouragement, our blessing, and our prayers. We are connected with you and we are joined with you through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You are not alone in what you are doing because we are your friends and your fellow-workers.

When Barnabas and Paul went out, they went out with the blessing and encouragement and agreement from other Christians; and they went out by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:4 says, “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit.” If you are called to do something, you will know it from the Spirit’s leading in your own heart; and you will also know it by means of confirmation from at least some other believers who are rightly related to God. Yes, there may be some who will oppose you or be a stumblingblock to you; but if no other believer ever sees God’s calling in you, you might want to seriously question if you have correctly recognized what God wants you to do. The good thing is that God has you here for a reason. Make sure you find out what that reason is for the glory of Christ.

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