Gospel True

Acts 16:1-3 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take Timothy along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
 
PAUL and Silas are on the move to meet with people to whom Paul and Barnabas had ministered in Lystra, Derbe and other areas. They will then continue to evangelize the gospel into new areas. On his earlier visit to Lystra, Paul had spoken the Spirit’s healing to a lame man. (We wonder if he ran out to meet Paul!) People had also threatened harm to Paul and Barnabas.  
   It is likely that Timothy, Timothy’s mother, a Jewess and believer, and his grandmother had responded to the Spirit’s awakening on Paul’s first visit. Paul later wrote of their faith in 2 Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were Jews who had become Christians. But Timothy’s father was a Gentile. Because of his father’s influence, Timothy was not circumcised.
   Why then, did Paul recruit Timothy to be an evangelist for the gospel of grace and then circumcise him as the law demanded? The apostles had become resolute that salvation did not require circumcision. Did Paul reverse this doctrine?  
   Paul explains his reason and methods in 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. Paul’s method was to enter a town to meet people in their culture, so he could open a conversation that would lead to teaching the gospel of salvation in Jesus. To speak of life-changing truth to people, we must be willing to find a way to develop a personal connection with them. People must trust who you are, so they are willing to hear you.
   Paul and the true gospel teachers remained steadfast that one was saved as Paul preached the true doctrine he later wrote in Ephesians 2:4-5: Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
   Timothy, a disciple, was willing to dramatically adjust his life to the Spirit’s call. Think of it. To agree to go with Paul, Timothy was willing to submit to the immediate circumcision and the probable physical persecution to come. This is a take up your cross faith. The Spirit had certainly anointed Timohty with faithful submission and determination.
   We can praise God, the Spirit joined these three men into a new, powerful partnership that would affect the world. All churches that exist in the Western World today have their roots in the gospel ministry of Timothy, Silas and Paul.