Elder Stories

Acts 16:4-5

for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Then was young Timothy circumcised after the manner of his people. Is it not interesting that God knew just what this young man needed; he had it all arranged. See, his Grecian father cared not to legitimize his son after the heritage of his wife's Jewish relations. This is what lets me know of his neglectful nature and wandering self. He might not have cared what others thought of his son. He might not have wanted him to find place in those regions. He may not even have wanted him to have the permanent family he needed. But is it not wonderful that God has all these needs covered. He has arranged for him a father of the faith in Paul, a circumcision after his mother's heritage, and a claiming before the people. Notice how everywhere Paul went he and Timothy handed out copies of his letters. Lest you forget, here they are: Hebrews, 1 Corinthians, the letters from the church at Jerusalem, and the testimonies of the few selected others. All of it bore the seal of approval from the church at Jerusalem. These same elders had declared Paul the apostle over and done. Yet here the same is delivering letters of the faith unto all who could read them. See, is it not wonderful how God works. When you inconvenience yourself to go on a road trip with him, he has everything all accounted for. Remember how Paul would sit watching those dusty scrolls of the prophets in the temple. He left his shipbuilding fore-fathers to sit under the most learned of that day. I know somewhere in his darkest heart he hoped to hear a Word from God. Yet each week the scrolls were locked; only the priests could touch, handle, and know. So, the Word of truth was kept from the people. But now has God arranged it to fall to the ground in part. As Daniel 8:12 prophesied before, it practiced and prospered.

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Might well the churches be established and increased in the faith. See, when God is in the house, nothing will ever be the same again. Remember the planting and the watering spoken of in 1 Corinthians 3:6. Now God has arranged the word to prosper and to grow. For so it is his Word, his message, and his church. Now comes the time of the 2 Corinthians, the church visited much by surprise. Paul might have been forbidden by man to preach anymore in this name. He might have been told to write no more in this name. He might have been dismissed by the apostles at Jerusalem. Yet God has his vindication coming. Notice with me what will happen both now and in days to come. 2 Corinthians is coming and with it travels Paul and his new-found partner. When God is with you, you will find the Word cannot be stopped. Even if God must arrange some chains for it to happen, so he will cause it to be heard. My, I sure am glad Paul remained faithful to God. I find it really explains his struggles. Such details make the travels just that much more interesting. See, you thought the story was done. You thought God was through. But just as he did with Paul, so he can do with you. God is not yet done in whatever you are going through. Are you not glad that Paul listened to the Lord.