Wednesday 18 May 2011

Background

Following the death of Stephen, one of the Apostles, the rest ofthe Christian community scattered (Acts 7:54 - 8:3). In doing so, they took withthem the gospel (good news) which then found its way through thehighways and byways into everyday life wherever they settled.

Today's passage offers a sharp contrast between the background ofthose death and persecution stories and the growth and success ofthe word of God within cultures outside the Jewish tradition. Moreto the point, the growth and success is as a result of thecommunity's attentiveness to worshipping and fasting. The communitythen finds itself being called once again by the Spirit of God tothe work of becoming a missionary church as it sets apart Barnabasand Saul and sends them out with their blessing to Cyprus. Thegospel is now spreading apace and the reader is left in a state ofbreathless anticipation as to what will happen next. How many morewill be added to their number? Where will the Spirit of God leadthe people of God next and perhaps more poignantly given Saul'spast, who will be set aside next?

To Ponder

If the Lord added daily to the number of your ownfellowship, what would the result be? How might the resources befound to nurture, to teach and to support those who found a homewith you?

What is the Spirit of God saying to you as youponder this passage, in relation to your own attentiveness toworship, to prayer, to fasting and to the call of God upon yourlife?