When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
Sun Flowers? | Arbor Gate, Tomball, Texas | May 2024Diane and I are set to travel to Tanzania for PLI International. We will teach 120 pastors and spouses about missional leadership, discipleship, and multiplying missional leaders. My first presentation will be on Multiplying Disciples, Disciple-Makers, and Leaders. We will talk about the Why, Who, and How of this process. The pastors and spouses are eager to learn, and they actually put into practice what they are taught. One of the Tanzanian pastors, learning about missional communities decided to start one of his own. Less than a year later five churches were planted from that missional community!
Because of all that, there is an urgent need for training – not only theological training, but discipleship, leadership, and missional training. Our teaching is heavily centered in Scripture. Every session is founded on the Bible’s teaching. Some of it is Paul’s direct teachings, like Paul instructing Titus to appoint elders (pastors) in the congregations he had visited, in Titus 1:5-9. Others are by the example of Jesus who sent out his disciples/apostles 2 by 2.
All of this is based on the command of Jesus to make disciples of all peoples/nations/ethnic groups. Jesus also promised that his followers would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We are evidence of the truth of Jesus’ promise. In this passage from Acts, we see it unfolding among the Jews in Jerusalem where 1000s have believed and among the Gentiles among whom Paul has been working.
To sustain this there is an ongoing need for laborers in God’s harvest. That applies most obviously and urgently to the need for pastors. I’m seeing that in my work for the Texas District where in my area of the state no fewer than 10 congregations are in some step of their search for a pastor. But this points also to the need for others to take the gospel message to new people.
Thousands of people in Jerusalem don’t become believers through the influence of 12 apostles alone. When persecution broke out in the church in its earliest days, and everyone except the apostles were scattered. Those who were scattered preached the gospel wherever they went. Something must have also been happening in Jerusalem so that 1000s were brought to faith.
We can learn a lot from these situations and happenings. May 1000s be brought to faith in our cities, communities, neighborhoods and families.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment