Outside the Comfort Zone, Talk to Strangers

Go!  For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.   Acts 22:21

In Jerusalem, Paul  speaks to the crowd and reveals his conversion to Jesus.  But when Paul reports a vision in which God commands him to go with the gospel to the hated Gentiles, the a riot explodes and people plot to kill him.  They went to the chief priests and elders, and said

We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.  23:14

The Lord directs Paul to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles.

Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem, quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me…  Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also…

Go!  For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.  22:21

 

Apostle Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

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Until I started to take notes, Acts has been confusing for me to read.  It’s crowded with so many activities, geographic names, diverse groups of people and events.  Paul is constantly directed to go to places from his familiar territories in Israel to Rome and then farther away.

For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 22:15

I’d rather  stay in my own world, a tight circle consisting of God, my spouse, family and friends.  It’s peaceful and safe that way.  Close the door please.  But, God tells us to go talk to strangers about Him.  He does not want just a chosen few of us.  He wants to bring them all in.

So, I’ll try.  Not that I want to.  But, because  I know it matters so much to Him.