How Important Is Your Reputation?

  This weekend I had the assignment to teach a portion of the apostle Paul’s journey to my fifth grade Sunday School class.  As I prepared the lesson, I focused on the diversity of believers that existed in each leg of the apostle Paul and Barnabas’ expedition.   

     Then, beginning with their departure from the church of Antioch (in Syria) where the Holy Spirit instructed the elders to send Barnabas and Saul out on their first missionary journey, I charted each territory, church plant, appointment of elders, healings, triumphs, and trials.  We illustrated both region and city and the population diversity of Jew, Greek, believer, non-believer, false prophets, and city leaders with various colors on the chart.  This visual representation not only showed the path traveled but the obstacles these apostles faced in each location.  As I reviewed the details found between Acts 13 and Acts 15 in pictorial form, I now had a new set of eyes to see what I could not see by merely reading this passage.  

     Placing numbers on the map from Antioch through Cyprus, to Pamphylia, up to Pisidia over to Lycaonia and then the returning all the way to Jerusalem, we saw the great distance that the apostle Paul and Barnabas traveled to resolve a controversy that had arisen between Jew and Gentile regarding the path of salvation.  We mounted this chart on a magnetic whiteboard and created movable game pieces attached to magnets representing Barnabas, the apostle Paul, John Mark, Silas, and Barsabbas so that the kids could move these figures from place to place while learning about this missionary journey.   May I ask a question?  Would it be helpful to you to make Scriptures more accessible by creating a chart or a map next time you ponder a difficult passage?   As I see it, I can only grow when I take time to decipher complicated wording.  This requires that I slow down and play with the passage. I look up the definition of words where the meaning is not clear.  I look for multiple applications, I turn it from my perspective to their perspective.  What do you do?  The Holy Spirit will help us to understand whatever He wishes us to see when He places our eyes on the Holy Word of God.   

Renewed Eyes:

     It wasn’t until the next morning when I was listening to Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God on an audible book, where I heard him talk about his reputation that a lightbulb illuminated the passage that I had just taught the kids over the weekend.  Henry shared how he had encountered considerable criticism in his ministry regarding church planting and mission expansion.  His eyes were drawn to a passage found in 1 Samuel 2:30. In the second half of that verse we see God speaking to Eli, ‘But now the Lord declares: “Far be it from Me! Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained”’ (English Standard Version).  It was upon those words that Pastor Blackaby determined that he would not rebuke those who criticized him.  He allowed God to mold his reputation however He wished.  Blackaby realized that he was not his own and his reputation was not his own.  According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Henry was drawing upon this passage when he revealed his thoughts about his circumstances.  What is fascinating to me, is that we studied this passage in our adult worship this week in which the apostle Paul says, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV) 

     So, I propped the same chart I had used in Sunday School on the chair beside my desk and began to study the same passage over again.  This time I started my reviewing beginning in Acts chapter 9 with Saul’s conversion.  As I walk my way through Scriptures, sometimes I find it helpful to create a chart to organize my thoughts.  I’ve included my work within this writing to show how the apostle Paul’s reputation or character developed over the seven chapters found in Acts beginning in chapter 9 and continuing through 15.  

Saul’s Initial Reputation:

Passage	Passage Perspective	Outcome
1.) Genesis 9:4-7	THE CONVERSION OF SAUL Jesus encounters Saul on the road to Damascus and asks why he is persecuting Him.	Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord?”
2.) Genesis 9:13-14	Ananias isn’t thrilled about his assignment to heal Saul because of his reputation for evil violence against those in Jerusalem.	God’s Response: “He (Saul) is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”
3.) Genesis 9:21-22	SAUL PROCLAIMS JESUS IN SYNAGOGUES Those who hear Saul in Damascus are concerned about Saul speaking the name of Jesus as they do not trust his motives.	In spite of these conclusions, we see that Saul confounds the Jews as his message strengthens.

     In the first two passages, we see that Saul’s poor reputation proceeds him.  Even with a tarnished image, God chooses to use Saul to accomplish His purpose.  In the third passage we see that despite his tarnished image, and despite the fact he has not received mercy from those who heard him preach in Damascus, his reputation begins to strengthen which enables him to do the mission that God has set before him.  Saul ignores the criticism and responds in obedience. 

Earning Respect and Receiving Mercy: 

Passage	Passage Perspective	Outcome
1.) Genesis 9:23-25	SAUL ESCAPES FROM DAMASCUS The Jews in Damascus plot to kill Saul.	Saul with the aid of some of his disciples helped him to escape being lowered in a basket.
2.) Genesis 9:26	SAUL IN JERUSALEM Saul attempts to join the disciples, but they reject him because they are afraid.	Saul had not yet acquired the trust or respect of the disciples in Jerusalem.
3.) Genesis 9:27	Barnabas who is well-respected among the disciples in Jerusalem vouches for Saul.	Barnabas endorsement gave Saul the opportunity to prove that the Holy Spirit transforms the heart of men.
4.) Genesis 9:29-30	The Hellenist also seek to kill Saul as he disputes with them in Jerusalem	The apostles protect Saul and send him to Caesarea and then off to Tarsus.

     We are all familiar with many stories of the Pharisees' encounters with Jesus in the Gospels.  There was rarely a time when there wasn't a conflict.  Pharisee thinking and Kingdom thinking were polar opposites.  Saul was a Pharisee, so we can only assume that he shared some of the reputational characteristics of Pharisees in that day.  How easy would it be to change the prideful countenance of Saul's heart?  Reputation was everything.  In our first example above, Saul had lost favor with his people (the Jews).   In the second example, the disciples also rejected him due to his past behavior.  In the third example, Saul had somehow received the respect of Barnabas, who was respected by the apostles (disciples of Jesus) and vouched for Saul.  Then in the fourth example, Saul was now building his upright image based on his obedience to God’s calling, but also off the testimony of others. 

Saul’s Actions – Creating a Reputation:

Passage	Passage Perspective		Outcome
1.)  Genesis 11:19-26	THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH, SYRIA Those that scatter due to persecution find themselves teaching only Jews, but some men from Cyprus & Cyrene begin to speak to the Hellenist (Greeks). Reports of this reach Jerusalem, who recruits Barnabas to go to Antioch, Syria. Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul and asks to join him on this mission of teaching in Antioch.		Remembering that Saul had disputed with the Hellenist in Jerusalem, Barnabas knew that he wanted Saul to join him at the church in Antioch.    For a whole year, Barnabas and Saul taught the church in Antioch together.
2.)  Genesis 11:27-30	Because of a predicted famine, the founding church decides to send some relief to the church in Judea.		Barnabas and Saul were appointed to deliver this relief to the elders of the church in Judea.
3.) Genesis 13:1-3	The Holy Spirit spoke to the church in Antioch appointing Barnabas and Saul to preach outside Antioch (in Syria).		The church anointed these men and sent them off.

      Called by the Holy Spirit, we see that Barnabas and Saul were set apart to do the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In all three passages above, we see that Saul’s reputation is improving.  He is asked to join the mission found in Matthew 28:16-20, the Great Commission (as it is commonly known).  Early believers intended to reach the Jews first, a few men had included the Gentiles, and now the church in Antioch was being asked to send Barnabas and Saul out to reach more remote parts.  Saul was now approved by God to focus on the work set before him.    

Saul (Paul’s) Mission Reception:

Passage	Passage Perspective	Outcome
1.) Genesis 13:6-8	BARNABAS AND SAUL ON CYPRUS Barnabas and Saul encountered Bar-Jesus (Elymas), a Jewish false prophet who wished to discredit them in front of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (a man who sought to hear the Word of God).	Although Bar-Jesus wished to discredit Saul, the apostle didn’t take the attack personally.  Saul used the power of the Holy Spirit to stop Elymas with blindness.
2.) Genesis 13:8-12	Because of the incident with Bar-Jesus, Sergius Paulus, the proconsul on the Island of Cyprus believes, receives the baptism, and acquires the Holy Spirit.	Saul glorified God in his actions, not taking the attack personally.   At this point, Saul begins to use his Roman name Paul, and he no longer is represented as an apprentice under Barnabas.  Scriptures begin to refer to the team as Paul and Barnabas, rather than Barnabas and Saul.
3.) Genesis 13:15, 42-43	PAUL AND BARNABAS at ANTIOCH (in PISIDIA) On the first Sabbath, Paul and Barnabas are well received.  They are asked to speak, to return the following Sabbath, and they receive a blessing from the Jews and devout converts to Judaism.	Everyone seems to be encouraged by Paul’s message of grace to the Jews as well as the Greeks.
4.) Genesis 13:45, 48-51	The very next Sabbath, the Jewish leaders became jealous and refuted everything Paul taught.  They brought devout women and leading men of the city to stir up trouble, and they drove them out of town.	Paul’s approval rating did a complete 180-degree turn.  The apostles did precisely as the disciples of Jesus had done; they shook the dust from their feet and went on to Iconium.
5.) Genesis 14:1-5	PAUL AND BARNABAS AT ICONIUM Paul and Barnabas were not welcomed by the unbelieving Jews who stirred up trouble and attempted to poison the minds of the Gentiles against them.  An attempt was made to mistreat the apostles.	Off to a good start in Iconium, multitudes came to believe and were baptized; however, things quickly shifted directions, and Paul and Barnabas fled to Lycaonia where they continued to teach.
6.) Genesis 14:8-15	PAUL AND BARNABAS LYSTRA Paul, through the power of the Holy Spirit, healed a disabled man and the people of that region including the priest to Zeus following their pagan roots tried to elevate the apostles to positions as gods.	The apostles tore their robes and explained that they were mere men, not gods. They tried to reinforce the gospel message to give honor and glory to God alone.
7.) Genesis 14:19	The Jews from Antioch (Pisidia) and Iconium were not satisfied to drive Paul and Barnabas from their towns, they followed the apostles to Lystra and convinced the people to stone Paul and drag him outside their city.	Although they thought Paul was dead, he was not, and on the very next day Paul went on to Derbe with Barnabas. The apostles were bold and retraced their steps returning to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Pisidia strengthening the believers and encouraging them to continue in their faith.

     Illustrated in these seven passages above, we see that Paul took neither good nor bad review of his message to heart.  Not focused on his own reputation, he remained true to his calling.  He continued to boldly proclaim the message of Salvation.  

Paul’s Post Mission Reputation:

Passage	Passage Perspective		Outcome
1.) Genesis 14:26	PAUL and BARNABAS RETURN TO ANTIOCH (in Syria) Paul and Barnabas were commended by the church for the work they had fulfilled.		The acknowledgment they received was ‘to the grace of God’ not for their own glory.
2.)  Genesis 15:1-2	The message Paul and Barnabas spoke to the Gentiles became twisted by men from Judea who taught that Gentiles must convert to Judaism before they could receive baptism and Salvation.		Paul and Barnabas debated with them and then decided to take the matter to Jerusalem for resolution.
3.) Genesis 15:4-5	THE COUNCIL’S LETTER TO GENTILE BELIEVERS Paul and Barnabas received a warm welcome by the church in Jerusalem, by the apostles, and also the elders. However, the Pharisees rose up to say that it was necessary for all believers to be circumcised and keep the laws of Moses.		After the testimony of Peter, and Simeon (from Antioch), James concluded that the Gentiles should not receive the heavy yoke required of the Jews.  They supported Paul and Barnabas with Silas and Judas (leading men from the church), and they backed up their letter with ‘it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, the apostles, the elders, and the whole church.’

     We see in these three examples that Paul received commendations from the church that sent them on this mission, that Paul continued to defend the message he had received from the Holy Spirit, but he also reinforced his opinion with that of the Council in Jerusalem.  In the same vein, the letter written by the Council in Jerusalem was enhanced by the support of ‘the Holy Spirit’ and others from Jerusalem.  Again, Paul was more concerned about Gods appointed work than his own reputation.   

Conclusion:

     How many of us can say that we don't worry about our reputations?  I have to agree with Henry Blackaby.  His decision to not fret over, nor defend, his reputation while he is following his calling from the Holy Spirit seems biblical and sound.  As representatives of Jesus, we will have our ups and downs with the opinions of man.  We cannot take things too personally; we can learn from Paul’s example to take the focus off our reputation and place our value in Gods' reputation.  

Area of Reflection:

1.  When have you been more concerned over your reputation at the expense of not doing what God has called you to do?

Endnotes:

Throughout this article I use the name ‘the apostle Paul’ to familiarize ourselves with the story; however, I revert to using the name Saul, until he officially takes on his Roman name Paul.  It is at this time that Paul seems to move from an apprentice position to becoming the leader.

For more information on Henry Blackaby and his book, Experiencing God go to https://blackaby.org/