PROGRESSION OF MINISTRY

Scriptures on Continuing Your Ministry

1^st Question:  What would please The LORD?  (“they ministered to the Lord…”, Acts 13:2)

2^nd Question:  Are we giving more than doctrine? (“We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives,” 1 Thessalonians 2:8)

The Calling

Acts 13:1-4 – “there were prophets and teachers…As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’…The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went…”

The Initial Ministry

Acts 13:5-14:21 – 

• “they proclaimed the word of God” (13:5)
• “Elymas the sorcerer…opposed them…Saul…filled with the Holy Spirit…said, ‘You are a child of the devil…Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?  Now the hand of the Lord is against you.  You are going to be blind…’” (13:8-11)
• “On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down…the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.’…Standing up, Paul…said, “…We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.’…the people invited them to speak further about these things…When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying…The word of the Lord spread through the whole region…So they [Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went…” (13:14-51)
• “they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed…Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.  The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.” (14:1-4)
• “they continued to preach the good news.” (14:7)
• “there sat a man crippled in his feet…Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on you feet!’  At that, the man jumped up and began to walk…the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ‘Men, why are you doing this?  We too are only men, human like you…’  Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them…Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over.  They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city…he got up and went back into the city.” (Acts 14:8-20)
• “They preached the good news…and won a large number of disciples.” (Acts 14:21)

The Continuation and Strengthening of the Ministry

Acts 14:21-23 – “Then they returned…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.  Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

The Follow-Up Ministry

Acts 15:36-41 – “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”…He went…strengthening the churches.”

• “Paul wanted to have him [Timothy] go on with him.  And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region.” (Acts 16:3)
• “they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.” (16:4)
• “after we had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:10)
• “we went…where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there…Lydia heard us…The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul…she and her household were baptized” (Acts 16:13-15)
• “Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’  And he came out that very hour.” (Acts 16:18)
• “When her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities…the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods…they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely” (Acts 16:19-23)
• “He put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25)
• “There was a great earthquake…all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed…the keeper of the prison…drew his sword and was about to kill himself.  But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’…he…ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’  So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (Acts 16:26-31)  
• “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house…And immediately he and all his family were baptized…he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” (Acts 16:32-34)
• “The keeper of the prison reported…saying, ‘The magistrates have sent to let you go…’  But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison.  And now do they put us out secretly?..Let them come themselves and get us out.’…Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.  So they went…” (Acts 16:36-40)  
• “They…entered the house of Lydia…they encouraged them [the brethren at Lydia’s] and departed.” (Acts 16:40)
• “There was a synagogue of the Jews.  Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’  And some of them were persuaded…joined Paul and Silas.” (Acts 17:1-4)
• “The Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men…attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people…they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city…” (Acts 17:5-9)
• “They went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more fair-minded…they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Therefore many of hem believed.” (Acts 17:10-11)
• “The Jews from Thessalonica…came there [to Berea]…and stirred up the crowds.” (Acts 17:13)
• “Immediately the brethren sent Paul away…those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.” (Acts 17:14-15)
• “While Paul waited for them…he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.” (Acts 17:16-17)
• “Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers…took him and brought him to the Areopagus…Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious…the one whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: God, who made the world and everything in it…He has made fro one blood every nation of men…and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings…that they might grope for Him and find Him…in Him we live and move and have our being…Since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is…something shaped by …man’s devising.  Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because…He will judge the world in righteousness  by the Man…ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.’” (Acts 17:18-31)
• “When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’  So Paul departed from among them.  However, some men joined him and believed.” (Acts 17:32-34)
• “Paul…found…Aquila…with his wife Priscilla…and he came to them.  So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.” (Acts 18:1-3)
• “He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.  When Silas and Timothy had come…Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 18:4-5)
• “When they [the Jews] opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads…From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ (Acts 18:6)
• “He departed from there and entered the house of a certain man…who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.” (Acts 18:7)
• “Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household.  And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8)
• “The Lord spoke to Paul…’…do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’” (Acts 18:9-10)
• “He [Paul] continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” (Acts 18:11)
• “The Jews with one accord rose up against Paul…he [Gallio the proconsul] drove them [the Jews] from the judgment seat [where they were accusing Paul]…Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat.” (Acts 18:12-17).
• “Paul still remained a good while.” (Acts 18:18)
• “Then he took leave…and Priscilla and Aquila were with him.” (Acts 18:18)
• “He had his hair cut off…for he had taken a vow.” (Acts 18:19)
• “He himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.” (Acts 18:19)
• “When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, ‘I must…keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.’” (Acts 18:20-21)
• “He had landed at Caesarea…and greeted the church.” (Acts 18:22)
• “He went down to Antioch.  After he had spent time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:22-23)
• “Apollos…spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John…Aquila and Priscilla…took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately…he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ…Apollos was at Corinth” (Acts 18:24-19:1)
• “Paul…came to Ephesus.  And finding some disciples he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’…Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come…’  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)
• “He [Paul] went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.” (Acts 19:8)  
• “But when some were hardened…he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.  And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:9-10)
• “God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul…the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” (Acts 19:11)
• “When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’  So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him…but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.” (Acts 19:21-22)
• “There arose a great commotion about the Way.  For…Demetrius…called them [the craftsmen] together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: ‘…not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana…’…so the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized…Paul’s travel companions.” (Acts 19:23-29)
• “When Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.” (Acts 19:30)
• “When the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: ‘…We are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar…’  And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.” (Acts 19:35-41)
• “After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia…when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months.” (Acts 20:1-3)
• “When the Jews plotted against him…he decided to return through Macedonia.  And Sopater…accompanied him to Asia – also Aristarchus and Secundus…Gaius…and Timothy…and Tychius and Trophimus…These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.  But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five das joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” (Acts 20:3-6)
• “When the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight…Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, ‘…his life is in him.’  Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.  And they brought the young man in alive.” (Acts 20:7-12)
• “We came to Miletus.  For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus…for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.  From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  And when they had come to him, he said to them: ‘…I kept nothing back that was helpful…taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying…repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ…I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem…chains and tribulations await me…I know that you all…will see my face no more…take heed to yourselves and to al the flock…after my departure savage wolves will come in…men will rise up, speaking perverse things…remember that for three years I did not cease to warn…I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance…I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel…these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me…you must support the weak…”It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’  And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him…And they accompanied him to the ship.” (Acts 20:15-38)
• “Finding disciples, we stayed there [Tyre] seven days.  They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem…we knelt down on the shore and prayed.” (Acts 21:4-5)
• “We came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.” (Acts 21:7)
• “The next day we…entered the house of Philip the evangelist…and stayed with him…Agabus…took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’…we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem…when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” (Acts 21:8-14)
• “When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly…Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present…he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry…Paul…having been purified…entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them…the Jews from Asia…stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him…dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut…when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul…he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.” (Acts 21:17-36)
• “Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people…he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, ‘…hear my defense…I am indeed a Jew…taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.  I persecuted this Way to the death…as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about non, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me…I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”…He said to me, “I am Jesus…whom you are persecuting.”…the Lord said to me, “Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.”…Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me…And at that same hour I looked up at him.  Then he said, “…God…has chosen you…why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins…”…when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple,…I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me…I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.”’…they raised their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!’…the commander…said that he should be examined under scourging.” (Acts 21:40-22:24)
• “Paul said to the centurion who stood by, ‘Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a roman, and uncondemned?’…immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him.” (Acts 22:25-29)