Guidance for the End Times: A Study of the Book of Acts is a series of Bible studies that intended to help Christians navigate through the darkness to come. We believe that we are already living in the end times and that we must study the early church’s lifestyle to use it as our example of how to live. If you have not already done so, please study the other installments that precede this one.  

God Will Provide Relief 

After Saul’s conversion, Luke mentions that the churches of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee had rest from persecution (see Acts 9:31). Remember, Saul was a great persecutor of the church of God at Jerusalem (Acts 9:13). He was travelling to Damascus to repeat his work there, but the Lord Jesus Christ intervened. Saul’s conversion shocked many of the zealous Jews who hated the church (see verses 20-21).  

These events culminated in relief for the churches in the surrounding areas. The great and zealous persecutor was converted to a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. Certainly, his conversion sent shockwaves throughout the movement that was dedicated to suppressing the early Christians. What we can glean from this is we do not know how God will change the hearts of men and in doing so provide relief for His saints. Though it is prophesied that war will be made on the saints, we must keep in mind that God can provide relief through the conversion of our prosecutors. This is why Matt. 5:44 is so important.  

As hard as it is to accept, we must accept that the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to pray for those who persecute us. The conversion of those who persecute us could be the catalysis for temporary relief.  

More importantly, Christians should keep their minds on the true rest to come (Heb. 4:11). This verse mentions a rest in the future where we will cease from our own works. The labors of this life will no longer be a concern. We will not worry about what we will wear, eat, or where we will sleep. We won’t be laboring after these things because we will have entered God’s kingdom.  

Edify  

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31) 

The word edified means to be a housebuilder, i.e. construct or confirm. During this time of rest, the churches in the region were being built up and made solid. Obviously, the persecution that preceded this rest had taken a toll on those in the faith. People were arrested and murdered. This would have a negative impact on any of us. This is probably why God provided rest at this time. This principle can be seen in I Cor. 10:13. God only allows us to go through what we can bear if we are faithful. He will provide an escape (relief) from trial and temptation when the time is right.  

Additionally, God will restore and build us up. For example, Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. After this temptation, angels ministered unto Him to refresh Him (Matt. 4:11). After this edification, Jesus returned to Galilee in power! (Luke 4:13-14) 

When God provides rest, it is the time to edify one another! It is easier to build when we are not under pressure. Any construction worker will confirm this fact for you. Remember, there is tremendous pressure ahead. The world will hate the followers of Jesus Christ. NOW is the time to build one another up. NOW is the time to confirm each other in the faith. We MUST do this before more difficult times come! 

We also must learn to recognized when God is providing temporary relief so that we may capitalize on an opportunity to edify each other (Eph 4:11-16). The edifying of the body of Christ (the church) is one of three purposes listed by Paul as the reason for the positions in the church.  

Sidenote: Notice that Paul does not list lay members. The idea of lay members is a construct of man’s thoughts. Everyone has a role, and it is not merely to pray, tithe, and support the leaders of the church. The book of Acts proves this. There are several examples of people working outside of supporting the apostles. Even the letters of Paul prove that church members were given to charitable acts that they were known for and these acts had nothing to do with tithing to the apostles. Consider that no piece of the body is merely there to support other pieces of the body. Every part of the body has supporting and individual roles. Every member of the body of Christ should diligently seek God to understand what he or she should do outside of supporting those who are sent forth to preach.  

It is essential that we learn how to build up and reaffirm others in the faith. The days are getting darker. Many of the saints are suffering. What are you doing to support the brethren? Or are you consumed by your own suffering?  

You were not called into the church to merely support yourself. Neither were you called into the church to benefit from the support of others. (John 13:12-17; Mark 10:42-45) We are called to serve. If everyone serves, we all will be taken care of! Selfishness will cause us to suffer. Remember, Jesus served as an example for us to follow. Not following His example will have dire consequences at His return (Matt. 25:31-46).  

Reread Acts 9:31. It says that this was all done in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. It is through our reverence for God and the support of the Holy Spirit that we can build one another up. We cannot do this alone! We need to rely on God and yield ourselves to the prompting of the Spirit of God.  

The Work Continues 

In the remainder of Acts chapter 9, Luke covers the work done through Peter. This section of chapter 9 covers two miracles and sets the stage for chapter 10. In verses 32-34, we read of Peter traveling through the region and stopping in a town called Lydda. This town is enroute to Joppa (from Jerusalem) which is at the Mediterranean Sea. (Review biblical maps for more context.) Peter stayed with the saints in this town as taught in his early training (Mark 6:7-13). We aren’t told how many years have passed, but we can clearly see Peter continuing in the word of the Lord (John 8:31). Consequently, Peter heals a man named Aeneas as Jesus taught His disciples to do as they travel.  

SIDENOTE: Unfortunately, we do not see this in the world today because professing Christians have taken to the internet as the major means of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. This should not be so and is not the way the Lord Jesus Christ preached the good news. The good news is personal. The early disciples preached personally to people. The epistles (letters) were written personally and include the names of individuals because relationships are personal.  

This does not mean that the internet cannot be used; however, it should not be the primary vehicle for promoting the truth. We must not neglect the local community to obtain a wider audience. Please reread Eph 4:11-16. Video and audio are not personal and are less likely to convict anyone when compared to speaking with someone in-person.   

The miracle of healing Aeneas caused a lot of people to turn to the Lord (Acts 9:35). The true works of God turns people toward Him. This has been largely lost in our time. Professing Christians have lost sight of the good works that God has ordained for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10). God did not found the church for it to turn inward. It is designed to show forth the works of God (Matt. 5:16). Miracles do not happen just to happen. They happen to glorify God the Father, not the vessel used to perform the miracle.  

Note Acts 9:36-42. This miracle was not done to glorify Peter. It was done to glorify the God of heaven. Why don’t we see these kinds of miracles anymore? Was this only for the foundation of the church? Please read Mark 16:15-20 carefully. These verses indicate that it is those who believe the word would perform miracles. Verse 20 shows that the word was confirmed by the signs that follow.  

The sad reality is we do not see these kinds of miracles because many do not truly believe the word like those in the first century. Luke 18:8 proves this. Jesus Christ questioned whether or not He would find faith in the earth at His returned. The miracles described in Mark 16:15-20 aren’t evident because of faithlessness. If we truly believe and preach the word of God, then miracles will follow to confirm our teaching. The problem is most of us do not teach what Jesus told His followers to teach. Many are closet Christians. Their Christianity is regulated to a building or their home.  

We better learn how to live by and preach every word of God. True Christianity is not secret. It is not private. It is full of good works that glorify God. God’s work will continue whether we participate or not. The true followers of Jesus Christ will preach His word without shame. God will confirm His work with miracles! 

Do not let fear of persecution stop you from being a willing vessel of God. At every opportunity, preach the unfiltered word of God as Jesus did. Read Luke 7:18-23. Remember, the scriptures shows that Jesus Christ trained at least 82 people to do this same thing. Why would the disciples of the end time do anything different? 

God will continue His work through His faithful saints regardless of what the unfaithful do. Know that doing wonderful works in Jesus’ name is not the end-all be-all. Obedience to God’s law must be coupled with good works (Matt. 7:21-23).  

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation [behavior], in charity [agape], in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (I Tim 4:12) 

This admonition to Timothy should apply to all of us. We are to be examples of believers in word, behavior, in the love of God, in power, in conviction, and in sexual cleanness. Please look these terms up in Greek for yourself.  

The end is approaching and Jesus Christ will return. Please be found doing the works of God when He returns (Matt. 25:31-46).