7/11/2021 - Through Many Tribulations - Acts 14

There is more suffering in the Christian life than you ever thought you could handle but there is also more joy than you ever thought possible.

It is necessary to understand the religious climate of the cities in which Paul visited. It’s now believed that the cult of Caesar was the dominant religion of Paul’s time in much of the Roman world. Caesar was deified and worshipped as a god in the flesh. It’s been argued that this is why Rome had such success in ruling much of the known world because the people willingly swore their allegiance to the god Emperor. They even offered sacrifices to him. Who needs an army to control the population when you have the people worshipping you and believing that you are a gift from the heavens? This is especially true in the cities where Paul has been preaching, particularly Antioch and Iconium. In both places there has been discovered imperial temples that were created for the worship of Caesar. A good example of this deification of Caesar can be seen in an inscription carved into an ancient government building. It speaks of Caesar Augustus who ruled the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus.  Here’s what the inscription says…

Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our lives, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance (excelled even our anticipations), surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the gospel for the world that came by reason of him.

Paul’s world the main “gospel” was the news of, or the celebration of Caesar. When Paul speaks and uses the word gospel he’s not inventing a new concept. He’s not saying "I’m here to give you a new religion.” Rather, Paul was using a word from his time but he was focusing it on a different person. He takes the word “gospel” and applies it to Jesus. It’s as if he says, “Everyone under Roman influence knows about the gospel of Caesar, but I’m here to tell you about the gospel of Jesus. My good news does not have Caesar at the center of worship, but rather it has Jesus as the center of worship. Jesus is the true king, not Caesar!” So Paul’s gospel is a direct challenge to the gospel of Rome. This is a bold and inflammatory statement. And one that does not go unnoticed, after all, this is the reason why Paul gets run out of town. (Acts 17:6-8)

Early believers were prepared for a life of hardship because their loyalty was to a different king. Obedience to this king will set you at odds with the kings of culture. Paul was not content to simply say, “Jesus is one of many gospels alongside Caesar", he said the gospel of Jesus is the only true gospel there is. It’s as true today as it was then, if you are heralding the gospel of Jesus, understand that the larger culture in which you live will view you as belonging to a subversive little group. However, from the standpoint of God, you are setting your face toward His kingdom. Absolutely incredible!