As I was reading in Acts, I couldn't help thinking to myself how great it would be if the things recorded in chapter 16 were as common place today as they were recorded for us there. The more I read of how churches were established in all the cities as the disciples passed through them and how their numbers increased daily, I thought, "Wow! that would be wonderful" -- instead of the steady decline in belief and church attendance we see in our time, to see such moving of the Holy Spirit that so many people were added daily.
As I read, the more I "got into it" thinking what a great thing it would be if only we, with all the technology and things at our disposal, would be so directed by the Holy Spirit that we would listen when we were told not to do something, or have a vision as did Paul in Acts 16:9-10: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them." What guidance, what determination we see in the verses following the vision Paul had.
One might think as you read on over to verses 16-17, WOW! Even the demoniac recognizes those who walk in such power as was demonstrated by Paul and company. Huh? What's that? In verse 18, we see Paul grieved and turning and casting out the spirit of divination from the damsel! But she was telling the truth wasn't she; doesn't that count for something?
"The same (possessed damsel) followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation." Was she lying? No. What was the problem? A few things (out of many) that come to mind although we aren't told anything more than it grieved Paul are: The enemy knows and can tell the truth. This isn't the only place this occurs -- read your Bible. The girl was glorifying Paul and company NOT the most high God who's servants they were. By her associating with them, her "gift" was being associated with all the things Paul and Silas were accomplishing through the power of God, so what she was able to do, was, in people's minds, being seen as coming from the same power as Paul and Silas' did. Actually, that concept is a sermon itself.
Whatever the reason, Paul's casting out the spirit from the girl produced an immediate reaction by the her owners and the general populace; they found themselves severely beaten, cast into prison and placed in stocks so there would be no hope whatsoever of escape.
What happened next is the bedrock and foundation of what all Christians can expect should they find themselves in a like situation (cue angelic choir). Paul and Silas immediately demanded their one phone call whereupon they called their lawyers who got in touch with the XXX foundation who offered to represent them for nothing and would, to protect their inalienable rights as Christians, fight the violation of said rights all the way to the highest court in the land no matter how long or how many appeals had to be made and RRRRRRIIIIIPPPPP (sound of a phonograph needle being scratched across a vinyl record). Reality check. That's not what happened then, it's what happens today if someone questions a Christian's belief or attempts to restrict a Christian in ANY way (in our country anyway) much less do anything close to what Paul and Silas endured.
No, we find them from verse 25 on, singing praises to God. Wow, novel idea what? As a result all the prisoners heard them, a great earthquake freed everyone, the guard washed their stripes then took them to his home and he and his entire house were converted to Christ. What a novel idea! So, WHY don't we see things such as those things happening today?
I hate to state the obvious; it would be better for us if we allowed the Holy Spirit to show us the truth. Facts are, we trust more in ourselves and our own abilities than we do in God. It's shown by our teachings and how we live. We insist it's never God's will for us to suffer, much less be spoken or moved against in any way - click! (sound of microphone being turned off). In the background we hear: "OK... That's the last straw, Pastor, We Christians don't have to take this kind of abuse. We're calling our lawyers and will see you in court."
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Editor's note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail [email protected], or write in care of The Times at [email protected] or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.
Religion on 08/06/2014