Of Course

Of course…

Through many tribulations…Acts 14:22

When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, John chapter 3, He did not mention tribulation. However, Paul suffered many tribulations for the sake of the gospel. Acts 14:19-20: Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there (Lystra, verse 8); and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. Paul’s ministry did not sit well with certain Jews. 

Even today, the truth of the gospel does not sit well with certain people. They take offense to their sins being exposed to the Light. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:19-20. Some of the most violent people on earth are those who have suppressed the truth resulting in being turned over to their vile passions, Romans 1:16 thru 32.

Paul’s experience caused him more boldness to preach; not less. Acts 14:21 thru 28, records how Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Verses 21 & 22. Strange, Jesus only told Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter the kingdom. There was no mention of tribulations. 

But today we have all come to realize tribulations accompany living faith. We notice the pattern. What happened to Jesus happened to His apostles. What happened to His apostles happened to His disciples. What happened to them is happening to us. Of course, you already knew this.