07.05.2014 New Testament: Acts 13.13–16

To read the Bible in a year, read Acts 13.1–23 on July 5, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

If you have ever worked for the kingdom of God in another nation, you know the importance of all the members of your team, and how one person can drag down the group. That could have happened to Paul and his group when John Mark quit, but watch what the former two did,

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen…” (Acts 13.13–16). 

It appears that John Mark’s departure did nothing to slow down the team of Paul and Barnabas, but they went right on preaching and teaching. They could do that because they always focused on the Lord, making Jesus the foundation and not people.