Acts 22 recounts how God chose Paul and called him to be a witness to all men. I can't imagine what Paul must have been thinking when the Lord said to him so plainly to "Get up.. I'm going to tell you all that you have been assigned to do". Paul was told next, "the God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Lord and to hear words from his mouth. You will be a witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for?" When Paul was praying at the temple, he fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. "Quick", he said to Paul. "Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me". God was sending Paul away to the Gentiles. Paul didn't seem to understand and thought he was best qualified to be used to preach to the Jews instead. God didn't discuss it, but simply said "Go". Do we ever find ourselves thinking that we know what we should be doing, rather than what God is calling us to do? Our "qualifications" are not needed by God. In fact, maybe Paul's story is yet another example of how God's power works best in our weakness. We need to stop limiting ourselves to what we believe we are "qualified" to do for God, and fully trust in Him to gracefully provide sufficient strength and gifts we need to exercise His will. In other words, we need to stop making excuses and just obey and "Go".

In Acts 21, Paul receives more "warnings" from the brethren and also from the prophet Agabus about the significant danger he risks in traveling to Jerusalem. However, these warnings (even when from the Spirit v.4) can be viewed instead as a means of preparing Paul , rather than to hinder his plans to journey to Jerusalem. The believers "begged Paul not to go on"; but, when he said to them, "I am ready ... (even) to die for the sake of the Lord jesus", they conceded , "The will of the Lord be done". Interestingly, there is much resemblance to the last days of Jesus before his crucifixion. Like Jesus, Paul had faced the same repeated opposition from hostile Jews who plotted against him, received many warnings about the danger of proceeding to Jerusalem, declared his readiness to lay down his life, was unjustly arrested on the basis of a false accusation. When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem , the Roman guard gave him an opportunity to address the people. This was an incredible opportunity for Paul to preach before a huge mass of Jews. God had drawn together all the events leading up to this point for a special occasion. Acts says "a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and (Paul) addressed them in their own language" v.40 , sharing his personal testimony.

Acts 20 provides a biographical overview of the life and work of Paul in serving the Lord and His church. At least six times in v. 17-35 , the phrase "You know" or "I know" is used to make declarations of facts regarding Paul's life of service. Summarizing the key points: 1) Paul was with the brethren constantly 2) served with humility and endured much opposition 3) preached to both Jews and Gentiles 4) "completed" the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace 5) innocent of the blood of all men, since he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God to all everywhere 6) warned of "savage wolves" that may infiltrate and draw believers away 7) supplied for his own needs and those of his companions 8) by working hard, was able to help others in need. There are also at least three challenges that Paul gave to the church leaders before his departure : 1) Keep watch over yourselves and the flock 2) Be shepherds of the church 3) Be on your guard and remember his many repeated warnings. The final quote in v.35 of Jesus is a fitting summary of Paul's life of self-less giving in the work of sharing the good news. "It is more blessed to give than to receive".

In Acts 19, Paul arrives in Ephesus and teaches the new "believers" more adequately about the message and ministry of Jesus. They had learned from John the Baptist about repentance and believing in Jesus, but had apparently not received complete instruction. Evidence of this is seen in their response to Paul's introductory question to them. They were not aware of whether the Holy Spirit had been given to them. It may have been that Paul noticed something not quite right about these "believers" in their outward demonstration of their faithful commitment to Jesus. After Paul's more adequate explanation and public baptism in the name of Jesus (v.5), they received the Holy Spirit when he laid his hands on them. Now satisfied with their complete conversion, Paul then went to the synagogue to proclaim again to the Jews the message of Jesus Christ. Maybe one lesson from Paul in this chapter can be applied for the benefit of the church today. Are there regular-attending "believers" in the church who lack an adequate understanding of the message and ministry of Jesus? If they have not moved on to faithful commitment to Jesus, maybe some need to be "re-baptized" and receive the Holy Spirit, truly completing their conversion. Interestingly, Paul took time to do this on arrival in Ephesus before proclaiming Christ in the synagogue.

In Acts 18, Paul visits Corinth and Ephesus, where he continues to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. He is again opposed and insulted by some Jews in Corinth and was ready to dust off his sandals and move on to Ephesus. But, then the Lord spoke to him in a vision, "Do not fear, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will harm you because many people in this city belong to me". That must have been quite the timely encouragement that Paul needed, for he stayed in Corinth another 18 months teaching the word of God. Then Paul left Corinth for a short stay in Ephesus, debating again with the Jews in their synagogue. He told them when it was time for him to move on, "I will return again , God willing". This phrase, "God willing" is a favorite phrase of mine that appears a few times in scripture. Someone once said that one sure way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans for the future. At the end of Acts 18, a man named Apollos is introduced. He is described as an "eloquent speaker who knew the scriptures well". It also says that Apollos "talked with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus", though he apparently was only familiar with the teachings of John the Baptist. When he was confronted with the knowledge of Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, he humbly listened and learned. This eloquent orator and scholar did not hesitate to become the student in order to explain the ways of God more completely and accurately. Acts 18 ends by characterizing Apollos as having "proved to be a great benefit to those who, by God's grace, had believed".

Pride is a side-thorn for many of us who desire complete knowledge and ability to speak eloquently. I pray that the desires and motivations of my heart would be purely for God's glory and his purposes; and, if God willing , He would allow me to "speak with great enthusiasm and accuracy" for the benefit of those he has gracefully called to Himself.

In Acts 17, Paul visits Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, proclaiming again to the people that Jesus is the Christ. Many were persuaded and believed, but some Jews were opposed and stirred up the crowds against them. Sound familiar? The Berean Jews responded with "great eagerness" and "examined the scriptures to see if what Paul said was true." Many of the Berean Jews then believed. On the other hand, in Athens, where some philosophers met with Paul, there was much skepticism. Paul addressed their idolatry and explained that man cannot build or create a dwelling place for God in gold, silver or stone images. Paul explained further to them about Christ's resurrection and a few believed. Wouldn't evangelism and witnessing be a lot easier if everyone responded like the Beareans? Many of us would never have come to Christ, though, if the good news was only preached to those "eager" to listen and learn.

In Acts 16, Paul visited a few of the new churches again, encouraging them in their faith and "instructing them to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem"(v.4). They had planned to travel next to Asia and Bithynia , but the Holy Spirit did not permit them. Instead, Paul was directed through a vision to leave at once for Macedonia, and concluded that "God was calling them to preach the Good News there"(v.9). Paul and Silas met with a group of people on the riverbank outside the city, where they regularly gathered for prayer. The Lord opened the hearts of some of those listening. There was a fortune-telling demon-possessed slave girl who shouted to the people, "these men are servants of the Most High God and they have come to tell you how to be saved". The shouting of this slave went on for days, until Paul commanded the demon to come out in the name of Jesus and it left her. The slave's masters had hoped to become wealthy from her fortune-telling, so they became very angry and convinced the city officials to beat Paul and Silas and put them in prison for "teaching illegal customs". That night , while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God in the prison, there was an earthquake and their chains fell off and the prison doors opened wide. The guard became afraid that the prisoners had escaped, but Paul said "we're all here!". The guard was very relieved and asked them, "sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul explained, "believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". Paul and Silas shared the word of the Lord with him and his household and they believed and were baptized. The guard brought them into his own house and prepared for them a meal and they all rejoiced together in God. The next morning, the city officials told the guard to set them free.

Is there a "Macedonia" that God is leading you toward in your neighborhood, at work, or even in your family. God enables us to witness profoundly to not-yet-believers simply by praising Him, despite our circumstances. Wouldn't it be incredible if a co-worker or neighbor came to you and asked, "what must I do to be saved?"