Filling in the Pulpit

Introduction

Clarence Macartney told about an old cathedral he once visited in Dijon, France. It had a stone pulpit. Just beneath the pulpit was a carved figure of a recording angel with a tablet in one hand and a pen in the other. The angel was looking up to the pulpit as if he were recording for heaven the words spoken there. Whenever someone speaks from this pulpit, may the words be fitting to be recorded in heaven. Those that fill in the pulpit have an important ministry. It may not seem that important to some – a minister we don’t know that well sharing for only a few brief moments. But God uses different voices to teach us, to encourage us, and to cause us to grow in our faith.

This portion of scripture in Acts tells us about two men who came from Jerusalem. They came to help the Antioch church, and wound up staying for a short time. While they were there, they preached to the people.

Verses 30-31

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation.

A great controversy had arisen in Antioch over whether the Gentile believers should obey the Jewish laws. Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to get an official ruling from the Apostles. The Jerusalem Council agreed that the Gentiles should not be placed under the burden of the Jewish law and sent two men back to Antioch to officially deliver this ruling. These two men were Silas and Judas.

They went to Antioch on temporary assignment to help that church. They cared about what was happening in the Antioch church, and they were willing to back up their concern with action. They gladly went with Paul and Barnabas to help out this ministry.

When someone fills in the pulpit, their reason for being there should be to help and encourage the people. Even though they are only with the church for a brief time, God will place a love and concern in their soul for the people of that congregation. And the Lord will place a message on the heart of the minister. The church needs to be willing to listen to the message of these faithful servants who are there to help out the people, even though they may be with us for only a short period of time.

Alexander Campbell wrote in 1839, "What an efficient institution is that over which Christ presides, when well understood and fully carried out in all its details! With its bishops and, deacons at home, and its evangelists abroad, wholly devoted to the faithful discharge of their respective trusts; men of experience, faith, piety, morality, full of zeal, energy, benevolence, co-operating with all similar institutions, supported by the prayers and freewill offerings of all the united people, having the love of God in their hearts, and heaven in their eye, what may they not achieve of glory to God, of good to men, and honor to themselves!"

Verse 32

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and strengthened them.

Judas and Silas preached to the people in Antioch. They had delivered the message of support from Jerusalem, and now they were willing to fill in the pulpit. This verse tells us they exhorted the people with many words. And their words strengthened the church. May all those who temporarily fill in the pulpits across our land be willing to exhort the people. May they not be afraid to speak God’s message to the church. As they do this, the people will be strengthened.

Matthew Henry wrote in 1710, "Even those that had the constant preaching of Paul and Barnabas, yet were glad of the help of Judas and Silas; the diversity of the gifts of ministers is of use to the church. Observe what is the work of ministers with those that are in Christ. (1.) to confirm them, by bringing them to see more reason both for their faith in Christ and their obedience to him; to confirm their choice of Christ and their resolutions for Christ. (2.) to exhort them to perseverance, and to the particular duties required of them: to quicken them to that which is good, and direct them in it."

Verse 33

And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.

This verse tells us Judas and Silas "spent some time" at Antioch. We don’t know how long they were there. But the day finally arrived when it was time to go. These two ministers had come for a brief time to help the church. Now their job was completed, and it was time for them to move on. The church appreciated the ministry of these men for it says "they were sent off in peace by the brethren."

Matthew Henry comments, "When they had spent some time among them ... and having made it to good purpose, not having trifled away time, but having filled it up, they were let go in peace from the brethren at Antioch, to the apostles at Jerusalem, with all possible expressions of kindness and respect; they thanked them for their coming and pains, and the good service they had done, wished them their health and a good journey home, and committed them to the custody of the peace of God."

Their ministry was just for a short time, but they had accomplished much. Even though they were ready to leave, a part of their heart would always be in Antioch. For Silas, this was so true that after he and Judas were sent off, he decided to stay and continue helping with the ministry. Even though a person may minister in a church for just a short time, God places a love and concern for that congregation that will stay there forever. We need to appreciate and honor all those who fill our pulpits, even those who can only stay for a short while.

Footnotes:

Campbell: The Christian System, chapter XXV, pg. 67, Standard Publishing Company

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, vol. VI, pg. 198, MacDonald Publishing Company



	A Study of Acts 15:30-33