Ministry Ups and Downs

Commissioning of Paul and Barnabas

Acts 13-14 records Paul's first missionary journey after he and Barnabas are commissioned by the church in Antioch.

It was a mission trip marked by ups and downs.

They have success in Paphos after they rebuked a false prophet named Bar-Jesus or Elymas.

But then John Mark, Barnabas' cousin, leaves them to return to Jerusalem. This angers Paul and eventually strains his relationship with Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40).

In Pisidian Antioch they are warmly welcomed at the synagogue and are asked to return the next Sabbath to continue teaching.

The next Sabbath, however, the Jews become jealous of the crowd that Paul attracts and stir up the people against Paul.

In Iconium the mission duo is effective in their preaching, but the Jews there cause division in the city and Paul and Barnabas have to flee.

In Lystra they heal a cripple man which causes the locals to think they are the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. So there's that.

Then the Jews that caused trouble in Antioch and Iconium arrive in Lystra and turn the crowd against them. Paul is even stoned by the crowd and left for dead.

Eventually the pair returns to their sending congregation in Antioch in Syria to report on their mission work.

Luke tells us that Paul and Barnabas report all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

What they don't do is dwell on the setbacks. They don't allow Satan to drag them down. Instead they rejoice in what God was doing.

Ups and downs. Highs and lows.

In other words, when it comes to ministry and mission, some things never change. That includes the saving power of God and His holy Word.