Acts 13:1 through 14:28 recounts Paul’s first missionary journey, in which he and Barnabas – having been sent by the church in Antioch (13:2-3) - traveled north and east through south-central Asia Minor. Paul did a very straightforward thing: he preached the Gospel, including centrally the actual, physical resurrection of Christ from the dead.
In preaching the Gospel, Paul importantly taught Christ from the Old Testament (e.g., 13:16-25), sharing knowledgeably and skillfully how the Scriptures pointed to Christ and to that Christ accomplished. In doing this, Paul calls to mind the words of Jesus Himself: “You search the Scriptures [Old Testament] because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me...” (John 5:40).
When Jews did not believe the news of the Gospel and turned against Paul, he turned to the Gentiles. Paul was in fact called to be the “Apostle to the Gentiles” (Galatians 1:15-16). Paul obeyed the commission and command of Jesus as we find them documented at Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 22:44-49, John 3:18-20, Acts 1:8 and elsewhere. In preaching the Gospel, nurturing believers in faith and doctrine, equipping them for the life of faith and for works of ministry, and preparing them for suffering, Paul carried out the Great Commission. Other key components of the Great Commission that went along with these were celebration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) and prayer.
By the way, there is an interesting comment in Acts 14:12, where it is said that the people called Paul “Hermes.” Why would they attach this particular name to Paul?
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god who brought messages to mankind. Gentiles who witnessed miracles and who believed Paul’s message decided to honor him by nick-naming him after Hermes. Long after Hermes was seriously regarded as a god, it was said that an interpreter who brought strangers together with translations was a “hermeneus.” This is also the source of our word, “hermeneutics,” the discipline of skillfully approaching, studying and interpreting the Bible, so its message may be clearly and accurately understood and conveyed.
When we engage ourselves in learning how to more effectively approach, read, study and convey the Scriptures, we are engaging in Biblical “hermeneutics.” It is a 25 cent word that can intimidate people when they first hear it, but its meaning and derivation are plain enough. The word itself is not as crucial as our dedication to learning and understanding the word of God, and the message of the Gospel of Christ which it carries and conveys.
Hermeneutics is an important component of developing Christ followers, and thus is a crucial part of the Great Commission.
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