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Tag: saul

Who shall we send? Barnabas and Saul
Acts of the Apostles: 1st century Church History – Intro

AD 1st c. timeline – what has happened so far in ACTS of the Apostles 1-12
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+ a Brief Summary of Acts [ABOVE] covers 10+ years.
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First Missionary Journey of Paul & Barnabas

In this introduction to what Christians typically refer to as the THREE Missionary Journeys of Paul, I would prefer to get us thinking about the chronology, context and characters (yes, plural) leading these missions into all the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Sometimes Bible publishers try to help us with HEADINGS of Scripture to give readers an outline of the content of context chronologically or topically. (Of course the original didn't even have chapters and verse references either.) 

Here are a few which may match the HEADING of ACTS 13 in your Bible:

Preparing for the Mission Field, First Missionary Journey, Barnabas and Saul Sent Off, Paul’s First Missionary Journey, Barnabas and Saul Commissioned, The Church at Antioch Commissions Barnabas and Saul, Saul and Barnabas are called to a special task, The Apostles Preach in Cyprus, Mission and Magic, Barnabas, Saul, and Doctor Know-It-All, 2 The holy Ghost commandeth that Paul and Barnabas be separated unto him. [1599 Geneva Bible] 
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Luke’s account of various ‘acts’ of the church now moves into the mission field.

As we noted in our Synopsis & AD 1st c. timeline [linked above], ACTS took place:

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 47

Although earlier, in ~A.D. 40-45, as we have already read:

https://talkofjesus.com/an-antioch-blueprint-of-church-evangelism/
An earlier missionary journey to Antioch

The report [of gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit] of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Acts of the Apostles 11:22
- Barnabas had been sent out from Jerusalem to Antioch about five years earlier.
- Men of Cyprus and Cyrene have already been preaching the Gospel there.
- Barnabas, the son of encouragement, went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
- For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.
  - ~A.D. 45?
ALSO:
- prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.. who by the Spirit foretold of a famine
- so the church (in Antioch) wants to send relief to help the church back in Judea
- they sent their contributions back to the Jerusalem Church
- by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. – Acts 11:30 ESV
Acts of the Apostles 13:

13:1 ἦσαν δὲ ἐν Ἀντιοχείᾳ κατὰ τὴν οὖσαν ἐκκλησίαν προφῆται καὶ διδάσκαλοι ὅ τε Βαρναβᾶς καὶ Συμεὼν ὁ καλούμενος Νίγερ καὶ Λούκιος ὁ Κυρηναῖος Μαναήν τε Ἡρῴδου τοῦ τετραάρχου σύντροφος καὶ Σαῦλος

Picture these MISSIONARIES:
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Photos below intended to provoke thought on the colorless blend of cultures of the first century Church by utilizing random photos of men living in lands of those ethnic gentile cultures. (It's not simply a Hebrew or Hellenist context.) 
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Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers:
- Barnabas,
Βαρναβᾶς or Joseph of Cypress may have looked similar to this old man [2005]
- and Simeon who was called Niger,
Nigerians: Νίγερ Niger, of Latin origin means “black” surname of the prophet Simeon
- and Lucius of Cyrene,
Libyan Man

Map of 21st c. Libya, ‘Lucius of Cyrene: Lucius = “light: bright: white” – a man from Cyrene who was a prophet and a teacher of the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1), perhaps the same one as mentioned in Ro. 16:21 – source BLB.org
- and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
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As a reminder from the complexity of the Herod family:
Herod the tetrarch = Herod Antipas, who married his half-brother's wife and beheaded John the Baptist! 
He is one of ten sons of Herod the Great (who had five wives). The Herod's are raised as Romans, connected socially and politically with the Roman emperors.
"Agrippa grew up around Rome.. went to school with the son of emperor Tiberius.. was eventually offered a small post in Galilee by his uncle Antipas.. Agrippa was given a job tutoring Tiberius’ grandson.. Caligula. Caligula banished Antipas and gave his territory to Agrippa, too. - source

In any case, Manaen's name is similar to [מְנַחֵם] that of an earlier king of Israel, whose name Menahem means  "comforter."
He must have needed to comfort others frequently while being raised in the household of this most-dysfunctional family of Roman-raised 'King's of the Jews.
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- and Saul.
(Yes, that would be the former Pharisee and Roman citizen, Saul of Tarsus, converted by Jesus on the road to Damascus back in A.D. 37.

NOW, nearly ten years later, Barnabas and Saul are about to embark on their first mission trip into all the world.

from the Church at Antioch..

.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB

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.”

Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia… – ACTS of the Apostles 13:4a

First Missionary Journey of Paul

To be continued…
September 14, 2022
Saul’s Unwelcome Return to Jerusalem
(to join the Church!)

When Sha’ul had come to Yerushalayim, he tried to join himself to the talmidim; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a talmid.
ACTS 9:26 Hebrew Names Version

Do you take this man .. ?

Have you ever wanted to JOIN a group of people who really knew nothing about you? Were you ever the one forced to move to a new town where you tried to join a new church? Did you, in that time of isolation from familiar friends, feel more unwelcome than wanted? Or worse, did those you wanted to join most REJECT you? Did THEY slam the door of hospitality in your face?

NO! No, I say. I CANNOT take this man to be part of ME for life or eternity.

How does it feel?

administration of a church in an empire divided by culture

Σαῦλος: an Unwelcome application to join the church of Jerusalem
- Why did you leave your last church?
  - I escaped some zealous brothers who were trying to kill me.
- Didn’t you try to kill some of them?
  - In fact, I once led these men in trying to kill disciples of Jesus. A brother heard they were in town and they lowered me down to escape. So now we come to join you.
- hmmm. I think we’ll have to pray about that and get back to you…
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Familiar? 
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Church Membership + Not so unlike a marriage vow

We understand that Saul was well-known in Jerusalem, as A JEW OF JEWS, zealous to destroy ALL disciples of the Apostles of the Messiah Jesus. But at first even the church in Jerusalem would have been suspicious of Saul’s motives, unaware of Saul’s calling by Christ on the road to Damascus.

They knew Saul of Tarsus, but not this man baptized in the Holy Spirit who had met the Lord Jesus in Person. And you know Paul’s words written later to the church at Ephesus, familiar to all concerning marriage.

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Ephesians 5:30 KJV

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:32 KJV
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YOU MUST leave one to be JOINED to the other.

MEMBERSHIP mattered in the first century. 
(Joining a church should make a difference for you in the 21st c. as well. - RH)
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Has Saul of Tarsus, disciple of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, really left his former rabbi to JOIN us as disciples of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah?

ACTS 9:

26 And when he had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles..

Saul: Encouragement in Christ from Cypress

Barnabas, disciple of the Apostles in Jerusalem, helped Saul escape Damascus and certain death.

Barnabas demonstrates his well-known encouragement in Christ to Saul.

Do you recall this man Joseph from before he fled to Damascus?

Earlier in ACTS of the disciples of the Apostles:

4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

There was not a needy person among them..
Acts of the followers of the way 4:34A ESV

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. – ACTS of the disciple Barnabas 4:36-37

5:12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor.

Stephen, Joseph (Barnabas) and many others joined the Apostles; while many jews (and they were ALL Jews) publicly showed the Apostles ‘high honor’ for their obvious works for the LORD, yet formally remained accepted worshipers of the Temple.

Many jews would have respected Stephen with such honor as he defended The Way of the Messiah Jesus before the court of the Temple.

Join us! (or not?)

Early followers of The Way of Jesus had to choose:
1. Join in following the Apostles of the Messiah Jesus?
2. OR remain joined to the designated leadership of Herod’s Temple?
As for the Apostles, rightfully fearful of Saul of Tarsus; they trusted Barnabas even to the point of allowing him to bring their nemesis to them.

κολλάω
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Click here for definition Strong's G2853 - kollaō 
Root Word (Etymology) From kolla ("glue")
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- And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples.. – NKJV
- .. he tried to meet with the believers.. – NLT
- .. he attempted to join the disciples… – ESV
- .. he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him.. – NASB20
Do you get the context of their fear?
1. to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together
2. to join or fasten firmly together
3. to join one’s self to, cleave to
THIS is the context of the CHURCH comprised of disciples, that is: followers of The Way of Christ Jesus!

The Encouragement of Barnabas

The Apostles did NOT flee Jerusalem. Neither did they deny Saul’s request to join them, though they feared him (but not more than the Lord).

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
ACTS of the Apostles 9:27 RSV + CLICK HERE FOR CONTEXT IN English & German

WE must bring the flesh and blood of the repentant soul before us in person on occasion so as to discern the authenticity of Christ’s impact on their reborn soul.
Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

Peter and the Apostles did this at the urging and encouragement of the disciple Barnabas.

28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

This would not have happened had Christ and Ananias and Judas and Joseph and Peter and the Twelve had not intervened in the reborn life of the Apostle Saul of Tarsus.

And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists..
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Remember from earlier in Acts 6 several jewish sects opposed Stephen and other disciples of Jesus: Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
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..but they were seeking to kill him.

30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.

Saul Joins the Church!

This foremost of sinners and persecutor of Christians now begins Christ’s most important mission to go into all the world and talk of JESUS.

Have you (even in fear) gone to YOUR LOCAL CHURCH & asked them to JOIN your fellow forgiven sinners as a member of their body of Christ?
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ACTS of the APOSTLES + To be continued...
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March 11, 2022
Saul: Encouragement in Christ from Cypress
Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement) owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
ACTS of the disciples of the Apostles 4:36-37 NASB20

Encouragement of Christ’s Apostles by Joseph of Cypress

“Just a moment,” you are likely thinking. “I remember this from That’s Not Fair! Possessions and Community, but I thought that now Luke is talking about Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9?”

Last time, Luke’s account included not only Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, CALLED BY THE RISEN CHRIST JESUS, but also a two disciples of The Way: Ananias, to whom the Lord spoke in a vision, and Judas of Damascus (in the house on Straight Street where BOTH encouraged the blinded and FEARED Saul of Tarsus.)

παράκλησις – more than just Encouragement
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click here for more encouragement
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Of course if the Lord had appeared to you directly, as was the case with both Ananias and Saul, YOU too would obey. But just as Jesus had called James and John a descriptive nickname, “the Sons of Thunder,” and called “Simon son of John, Peter or ‘the Rock,’ so have Peter and the Apostles had named Joseph, Barnabas, or Son of Encouragement.
- paraklēsis Outline of Biblical Usage
  - a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)
  - importation, supplication, entreaty
  - exhortation, admonition, encouragement
  - consolation (14x), comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment
- thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah (or Christ, in Greek) the consoler, the comforter)
  - persuasive discourse, stirring address
    (the speech of Stephen to the sanhedrin?)
  - instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse
- (much of the preaching of Paul we are about to hear on his missionary journeys in Acts of the Apostles and his letters to the Churches.)
נַחֲמ֥וּ נַחֲמ֖וּ עַמִּ֑י יֹאמַ֖ר אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
2 דַּבְּר֞וּ עַל־לֵ֤ב יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וְקִרְא֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יהָ כִּ֤י מָֽלְאָה֙ צְבָאָ֔הּ כִּ֥י נִרְצָ֖ה עֲוֺנָ֑הּ כִּ֤י לָקְחָה֙ מִיַּ֣ד יְהוָ֔ה כִּפְלַ֖יִם בְּכָל־חַטֹּאתֶֽיהָ׃ ס
3 ק֣וֹל קוֹרֵ֔א בַּמִּדְבָּ֕ר פַּנּ֖וּ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֑ה יַשְּׁרוּ֙ בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה מְסִלָּ֖ה לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
Isaiah 40:1-3 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

Encouragement & Comfort

Encouragement and comfort become the Gospel Good NEWS to a God-pursued people. And let’s not forget the context of persecution of both Jews and Christians not only in Acts of the Apostles, but throughout the history of the world.

Skipping ahead just a bit in Luke’s account before we proceed with Saul of Tarsus:

ACTS 9:31

So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort G3874 of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

And later in ACTS 11:19 Luke gives us the present context of Saul in Jerusalem in Acts 9:

So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.
Acts 11:19 NASB20

Tarsus of Saul, Cypress of Joseph, Damascus of Ananias, Phoenicia (Lebanon) Antioch is in Syria – God into all the world…

Escape from Damascus
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Previously..
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Who is this Saul, Apostle to the Gentiles?

I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

ACTS 9: of Saul in Damascus

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.

20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”

21 All who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man in Jerusalem who was causing havoc for those who called on this name and came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
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Saul leaves Damascus, spends three years in the wilderness of Arabia, THEN returns.
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23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him, but his disciples..

[NOTE Luke’s description, that these are now disciples of the Apostle Saul of Tarsus!]

..took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.
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ACTS of SAUL OF TARSUS to be continued in Jerusalem...
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March 9, 2022