Paul’s Willingness to Suffer

Background Scripture: Acts 21
Lesson Scripture: Acts 21:1-14

Introduction

We claim the heritage of true Christianity handed down to us through the ages. Many of our predecessors suffered persecution and death because they were zealous for the gospel of Christ. We read in Martyrs Mirror of those who were tortured and killed because they were not ashamed to be followers of Christ. We profess to embrace the same faith they did, but do we possess the vision and zeal that we will serve the Lord Jesus even if it means to suffer for his sake?

May the study of this lesson renew a heart and attitude like Paul had and rekindle a willingness to serve in whatever capacity God chooses, no matter what it will cost.

Key Verse

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The first reference that we find in the Scripture about Paul (Saul the persecutor, at that time) is when the martyr Stephen prayed for him. This prayer was not in vain, and we can believe that Paul never forgot it. He traveled to Damascus to arrest the Christians but met Christ instead, and very abruptly the tables were turned. He began to preach salvation through Jesus Christ. Before long, the unbelieving Jews plotted to kill him. Paul had changed from being a persecutor to the persecuted. Once, the disciples helped Paul escape over the city wall in a basket under cover of darkness. He lived in Jerusalem for a time, but his bold preaching stirred up the Grecian Jews, and they went about to kill him. Again, brethren helped him escape, and he returned to his hometown of Tarsus.

On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas escaped being killed at Iconium. Then at Lystra Paul was stoned and presumed dead. However, he got up, went into the city, and traveled further the next day. Likely he was not fit to travel, but his zeal for telling the gospel story so burned in his heart that he was willing to endure pain.

When Paul was on his second missionary journey, he and Silas were beaten and imprisoned at Philippi. They did not lose courage but prayed and sang praises to God in the night. God used an earthquake to open the prison doors for their release. When the officers discovered Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they urged them to leave. Paul could probably have escaped the beating if he had asserted his Roman citizenship earlier, but he must have realized that the cause of Christ would be furthered by his acceptance of being mistreated. Their imprisonment resulted in the jailer’s conversion. Again, there was no time for recovery. The apostles comforted the home folk there, and moved on. Paul’s willingness to suffer must have had a profound effect on saints and sinners alike.

In today’s lesson scripture, Paul is on the last lap of his third missionary journey, traveling back home to Jerusalem. When he was at Miletus, he sent for the elders of Ephesus and gave them a parting message. It is a touching farewell recorded in Acts 20. Their great cause of sorrow was that they likely would never see Paul again.

Paul was resigned to the possibility that he was nearing the end of his life of service. During his stay at Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus came from Judea and foretold the capture of their beloved Paul. This caused an emotional upheaval among the Christians. They begged him not to continue his journey, but he must have felt the Spirit leading him on. He was not fearful, even though he was well aware of the dangers before him. He may have felt like he had finished his work and was going home.

History tells us, however, that the Lord had more work for Paul to do. After his arrest in Jerusalem, he had opportunity to witness for Christ on the voyage to Rome. They arrived at Rome, and although he was under house arrest, he was permitted to receive guests and preach the kingdom of God, “no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:31).

Practical Truths for Today

For those of us who live in a society where suffering of any kind is considered unnecessary and preventable, a few questions may help determine how we look at hardship for the cause of Christ. Am I willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel? When the Holy Spirit assigns a small duty to me, do I first of all confer with my own reason and consider what it will cost, or does my love for Christ motivate me to follow in obedience?

“May we have the vision of the apostles. But how many times when someone does not agree with our doctrine, the thought comes to us, don’t get too close to the issues we don’t agree on, because it will cause friction. It is true, we believe God wants us to be gentle as Paul records in 2 Timothy 2:24, ‘And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.’ . . . We can be firm yet gentle and be ready to speak our convictions.” 1

Persecution is very real in some parts of the world, and there are countries where it is dangerous to profess Christianity or hand out gospel literature. People are executed with few questions asked. May we not forget to pray for the thousands of Christians who are suffering for their faith.

There are some countries where the church may never have missionaries, but imagine a mission field in a country where it is possible to spread the gospel without any official restriction. Many people are getting converted, but persecution and violence abound to the extent that some missionaries never make it home. Would you be willing to go?

How much does our standard of living affect the conviction for going to the mission? Many of us live luxuriously and fare sumptuously. Are some considering it simply too great a sacrifice to leave this lifestyle behind for a few years?

When we are elected to fill a congregational responsibility, do we cheerfully accept the opportunity to be of service, or are we disturbed as we consider what we will need to sacrifice?

Illustration

One of the more notable Bible characters who was willing to suffer was Moses. He chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25). It seems he had everything going for him. Being the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he was perhaps heir to the throne. History tells us that Moses was a popular and successful general in the Egyptian army, yet he was drawn to the Israelite people. His heart was touched as he witnessed their affliction. He may well have realized that he was in the best position to come to their aid. He identified with these downtrodden people, but his first attempt to help them was a disaster. He was forced to flee for his life, and in the ensuing forty years, he probably thought the cause was lost. We can be sure he never forgot his people and probably wondered who could help them. When God called him to go set his people free, the immense task daunted him, and he felt himself incapable. As he yielded to God’s command, God blessed his efforts with a mighty deliverance.

Queen Esther is another Bible character whose choice to suffer stands out. Haman, one of the top princes, demanded that the other princes bow to him in reverence. Mordecai the Jew refused to give tribute that belonged to God only. This angered Haman, and he decided to take his wrath out on the whole Jewish nation. A day was appointed when God’s people would all be slain. Esther may have felt secure in the palace; the king probably did not know her nationality. When she became aware of the plight of her people, she was hesitant to place her own life on the line to aid them. If she went to the king uninvited and he did not hold out the golden scepter, she was doomed. Mordecai suggested to Esther that God had put her in her present position for the express purpose of delivering his people. Mordecai also warned her that she was not immune to the genocide aimed at the Jews, and that God would find a different way to save them. Thereupon she relented and requested that the Jews in that city would fast and pray for three days. She committed herself and her maidens to do the same. Queen Esther must have felt immense relief after she accepted the challenge. If she would not obtain the favor of the king, she would go to her death knowing she had done the right thing.

The brethren martyred for their faith in the Middle Ages are an unrivaled example of being willing to suffer. In the year 1538, a minister of the Word named Offrus Greizinger was apprehended after spies and traitors were sent out to find him. He was tried and threatened with torture to make him betray those who had sheltered and shown kindness to him. He replied, “I have resolved to endure all pain and suffering which man can endure, even unto death, through the power of God, before I shall tell you this, and become a traitor. I well knew beforehand that this would be my fate. You have me in your power, do whatever God will permit you to do. . . . You can take from me no more than my life.” 2

Questions

1. What is wrong if I never need to suffer for godly living? (2 Tim. 3:12).
2. Can I know if I am as committed to the truth as the martyr brethren were?
3. When choosing an occupation, do I look for one where I can be a witness for the Lord or one that is economically serviceable?
4. 1 Min. Errol Wedel, “Suffering for Christ,” Messenger of Truth, 1981, Issue 14
5. 2 Martyrs Mirror, pp. 448-449

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).