Chapter 36 – Antioch in Syria
Sketch 36.1
“It’s great to back in Antioch,” said Paul to Andronicus, “and the situation among the believers looks good.”
“Oh yes,” agreed Andronicus. “The brethren are always eager to worship God and preach the gospel. They work together as a good family should.”
“That takes a great weight off my mind,” breathed Paul. He sighed. “Perhaps I didn’t need to be in such a hurry to come back, but I was worried about what I might find here.”
Andronicus laughed. “You don’t need to worry, Paul. I don’t see any failing in our enthusiasm, or any reduction in our dedication to prayer. Instead, the church continues to grow!”
“I’m so pleased to hear it. The fervour in your voice warms my heart, cousin.”
“And we’re glad to hear your news, too,” said
Andronicus. “Your reports of new believers joining our fellowship everywhere you go are just what we need.”
Paul nodded and sat for a while in silence. Finally he said, “This mutual encouragement is really important to us all as believers. My news inspires you, and your reports fill me with confidence. With God’s help, the Way really is turning the world upside down.”
“And look at how it genuinely changes people,” marvelled Andronicus. “You’re a prime example, of course, cousin, but I constantly marvel at the joy and godliness that shines through so many believers.”
“And we need to make sure that we keep going. All sorts of things can destroy our momentum. But we mustn’t start worrying that the fellowship is getting too big, or fear
that things can’t keep growing as they are. If we hold our nerve, cling to our faith, keep preaching and continue to seek God’s kingdom first, this seismic change in the empire will continue, and even speed up.”
“I expect so,” said Andronicus confidently. “And why wouldn’t it keep going? We’ve seen how it works: seen the changes faith brings, the altered lives, the joy of godliness. Why would it ever
stop?”
“There will always be some people who lose their direction or their conviction,” said Paul, carefully, “but I fear there will come a time when many believers will fall away and lose their faith.”
Andronicus shook his head with a puzzled frown. “Why would that happen, cousin? It doesn’t make sense. The truth is so good, so valuable
for everyone.”
“Look at history, cousin. Did Israel keep obeying Moses’ commands? Did the kingdom continue to follow David’s leadership? No, it split up only one generation later. How long did Hezekiah’s revival last? Or Josiah’s? There is always resistance to righteousness, and such new starts will only continue or remain healthy if you can get rid of human nature. Unfortunately, people
are the consistent problem.”
“But Jesus is greater than Moses,” insisted Andronicus. “Greater than David, or Hezekiah, or Josiah. Surely the new kingdom he has built in people’s hearts can endure and spread? He is so much better than the kings and prophets of old, and so is his kingdom.”
“True, but the problem is still people.
There are people who want to tear down the temple Jesus is building. Some want to go back to Judaism. Others just want to be leaders and don’t care much about the Way – or the believers. Some are even trying to mix Jesus’ teachings with Greek mythology or fanciful Roman ideas, and if we aren’t careful, these… these errors and wrong ideas will spread like a deadly disease.”
“Is that why you came back to
Antioch?” asked Andronicus shrewdly. “Were you worried about us?”
“Partly, yes. I’m always concerned about my brothers and sisters, and you are always in my prayers. Recently I’ve even taken to writing letters to various congregations I’ve preached to. I remember their initial eagerness and their joy in salvation through Jesus, so when I hear reports from travellers of troubles in doctrine or life or
fellowship, I feel compelled to do something. If I can’t go back to visit immediately, I write letters to address the problems I’ve heard of and emphasise ideas that might help them.”
“It sounds like an intolerable weight to bear, cousin.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. It’s heavy, yes, but not intolerable. After all, that’s the task Jesus gave me.
He warned me that it would be hard, but he also said it was essential work and would be very rewarding.”
“Has it been?”
“Rewarding beyond words! I can’t describe how much better my life has been since I met Jesus and became his servant.”
“We – everyone in the family, I mean, cousin –
have all noticed the change in you, but it must be very demanding work. Exhausting. And terrifying at times, too.”
“It is, but it’s still worthwhile. You’re right that it’s terrifying at times, though. Each time I visit a new town, I know that it won’t be long before people are attacking me – and not just with words.”
“I suppose it’s not
really a surprise. After all, that’s what you would have done yourself in the past!”
“I know. But it can make it difficult to push on. You see, I know that if I just keep my mouth shut, even a little, I’m less likely to get beaten, or stoned, or arrested, or shouted at, or rioted over.”
“We all have that temptation to keep quiet to some
extent,” said Andronicus.
“I know, but I think it’s more extreme for me.”
“Of course, Paul! You’ve been given the greatest ability of all the believers to ‘turn the world upside down’, and the greatest blessings of the spirit to do this work. Those blessings have kept you alive, but preaching God’s truth in the face of every possible form of
opposition will always provoke a violent reaction. Vested interests and people accustomed to power will resist anything that threatens to weaken their control over others. Encouraging the ordinary people to have consciences of their own will always anger such people.”
“I suppose so – but it still tests my faith at times.”
“Tell me more about the
churches you’ve helped form in Asia, Macedonia and Achaia, not to mention Cilicia, Galatia and Bithynia. How are they developing?”
“They’re doing well, overall, but they’re also proof of my wider problem. You mentioned Galatia – well, I’ve already had to write a letter to the congregations there because they were listening to travelling teachers who were presenting new teachings, changing the truth Jesus taught me.
They were adding new ideas of their own and changing doctrines – which completely defeats the purpose of Jesus’ unchanging gospel. Remember: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of us all. So I had to write to them and remind them that Jesus’ gospel cannot change – ever.”
“Did they listen to you?”
“I think so, but that
concern is always hanging over me. Are they holding onto truth or letting it slip through their fingers? Are people trying to seize leadership positions so that they can drag the believers in their preferred direction, instead of Jesus’ direction?”
“I can see that you take it all very seriously,” said Andronicus, sympathetically.
“Sometimes I think
these new congregations need more support from long-standing believers. Many new converts have little background in the scriptures, so they can easily be led astray. As you know, the town of Corinth is legendary for its immorality, yet we have a group of new believers there who are trying to grasp the truth of Jesus and honestly change their lifestyle. I was there for two years, but what has happened since I left to come here? I don’t know, and it worries me. Their
faces fill my mind and their names fill my prayers, but I long to do more. I want to be there to help them. But there are so many other places to visit too.”
“So you think it would help if believers who have been believers for a long time went to live in such places and joined their congregations?”
“Yes, I’m certain it would.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, then. A situation has been arising that means it might be better for my business if my wife and I were in Rome now that Jews are allowed to live there again. I hear that there’s a small congregation there. We’ll pray about it and see what God wants us to do.”
Narration
Acts 18:23
Paul stayed some time in Antioch in Syria, but soon he was back on the road again: north through the interior, then round the corner past Tarsus.
[To be continued]
