Embarking on Mission
5/20/25 Bible Thought (Acts 13)
In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas embark, by the command of the Holy Spirit, on what is later known as Paul’s first missionary journey.
At one point, in the local synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, Paul had the opportunity to share a wonderful message concerning Christ’s fulfillment of Old Testament promise. He was the offspring of David who was raised from the dead so that He might not see corruption (Acts 13:36-37).
Now, with His death and resurrection, there is an offer of salvation and freedom to those under a new covenant that wasn’t offered through Moses. For Paul would say,
“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).
Under the law, there was a continual reminder of sins (Heb. 10:3). There was a burnt offering, morning and evening. There was the annual Day of Atonement ritual. There were guilt and sin offerings regularly by the people for their transgressions.
But now there is a freedom that is unlocked through the once-and-for-all-time sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and His subsequent resurrection. Formerly, the sacrificial work was continual, now the work is finished.
In Christ, justification is done. He has died, once—never to die again. His sacrifice was perfect. Therefore, we can be freed from our sins and their consequences for all time. We don’t have to bring continual sacrifices because our sins—past, present, and future—are atoned for by the precious blood of Christ, who was the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn. 2:2).
This message of good news, the gospel, is how Jesus builds His church. People might have all sorts of “church growth hacks” but there is no hack. The book of Acts shows us that the Kingdom expands through gospel-proclamation and the salvation of souls. This is how it was intended, and this is how it has grown for 2,000 years.
As Paul would later say,
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16)
and likewise,
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).
The gospel message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the way that God has ordained to save sinners. It is the power of God; it is the way to hearing that brings faith. The church isn’t responsible for saving but merely proclaiming. God alone can save, but the means by which He works is the gospel—a gospel that has been entrusted to all believers.
Now, we look back at these great missionary movements and be encouraged—but it wasn’t just the apostles and those who were officially sent out that took the gospel to all the world. I recently was listening to a book on church history that explained how so much of the spread of Christianity wasn’t accomplished by official missionaries, but unofficial ones. It was accomplished by the average, everyday Christian who was faithful to live for Jesus and share the good news in the market or their place of work.
The gospel is for ordinary people, and throughout history has been spread by ordinary people who serve an extraordinary Savior. Through this, Jesus builds His church, and the gates of hell won’t ever prevail against it.