"A Son in the Faith"

        "A certain disciple was there, named timothy. . . He was well

         spoken of by the brethen who were at Lystra and Iconium."

                                           ACTS 16: 1b-2

        Having began his second missionary journey by passing through syria and Cilicia, Paul now comes to Derbe and Lystra, the cities he visited last on his first journey. He comes to them first on this trip because he is traveling from the east; on his first journey, he came  to then from the west and returned the way he came. He is now beginning to fulfill the stated purpose for his second  journey (Acts15:36). He is also returning to the site of his severest persecution (14:19).

        Luke has little to say about the churches in these cities. But he records Paul's encounter with Timothy, who will become his companion and his "true son in the faith" (1Tim.1:2). Unlike John Mark, with whom Paul would have nothing to do (Acts 15:38), the ostke is impressed by this young man. Timothy is the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, Eunice, who is, along with Timothy's grandmother, Lois, had taught him the Scriptures from an early age (2Tim.1; 3:15). These wine  may have become Christian during Paul's first visit and. In turn. Instructed Timothy in the faith. Under this tutelage, his faith grew strong, and he is known to and admired by believers from Derbe to Iconium. He is still very young at this time; even in an epistle written approximately 14 years later, Paul will advise him not to let others look down on him because of his youth (1Timothy 4:12).

        However, Paul faces one major hurdle to enlisting Timothy on his missionary team he is a product of a mixed  marriage, and his father, not being  a Jew, had not had him circumcised. As an uncircumcised son of a Jew, he is an offense to the Jews (there would have been no offense had both his parent been Gentile). Paul, of course, is carrying a degree from the Jerusalem council stating  that cirvumcision is  not necessary for Christian faith, a decision for which he argued strenuously. He will deliver that degree to the churches, helping them greatly (Acts 16:4-5). But Paul is willing to circumcise Timothy in order to take him along and still be able to minister to Jews without giving offense. Is Paul being inconsistent? Not at all. As Dr. Simon Kistemsker notes, "Paul himself wanted to be all things to all people, so that he might win both Jjew abd Gentile for Christ (1Cor.9:1&-23). He expected hat Timothy, a fellow missionary, would do the same." Timothy does, and becomes an invaluable aide to the apostle.

        All believer grow in Christ at varying rates, and those who are you g may be quite mature spiritually, we must not discount the usefulness to Christ of anyone, young or old. Neither should we discount our own abilities because of youth or age. Seem to grow in Christ to the full and to serve Him faithfully no matter what your age.