Acts 16: 1-5 (Daring Faith in Acton Devotional)

1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. ² He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Acts 16: 1-5

What did Paul do to increase the church numbers daily?

Paul paid the price to keep the unity of the church! Instead of insisting on the soundness of his doctrine, Paul was willing to be held back so that the Gospel would go unhindered! Paul built a team, observed the decisions of the Jerusalem church, and united to the end!

Paul’s team had Silas, plus Timothy, whom he circumcised! Then they went through the cities and handed over the instructions of Jerusalem to the disciples to keep. According to the decisions in Jerusalem, Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised! Why did Paul circumcise Timothy? This is in contrast to Acts 15! If Gentiles were not saved by circumcision, Paul circumcised Timothy not for salvation! Where Paul took Timothy, there were many Jews. They knew that Timothy’s father was a Greek, and the Jews had always refused to socialize with or eat with Gentiles. If this was the case, there would be many inconveniences when Timothy and Paul preached the gospel together, and Timothy would even be rejected by many Jews! Paul decided to circumcise Timothy so that the gospel could be preached easily! Paul was growing too! Paul’s life gradually built up from a Bible scholar to an apostle, building the church of Christ Jesus!

¹⁹ For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. ²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Prayer: 

Oh Lord! You once let go of yourself for me, please teach me how to let go of myself too! It is not to prove that what I have done is right, but I am willing to be restricted in everything as a prisoner for you. May you prosper and let me decrease. May the Gospel be magnified in me!

Song:

Lord, I Surrender All 

I surrender my all to satisfy You, Lord.
Though rugged is the way,
follow the trails of Your flock.
Every step as I see more my weakness,
I will praise Your love more and more.
Your banner over me is love. I’m conquered.
You are my heart’s desire,
I lay down riches and fame.
You are full of grace;
Your bosom’s my resting place.
Lord, put me like a seal over Your heart.
Put me like a seal upon Your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
all the world can’t replace.
O’ Lord, I long for You,
to see Your glorious face.
Take up my cross today,
Till You come I’ll watch and wait.

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