Fire and Sword

by D. Brian Shafer

“Looks like our friend has followed us from Pisidian Antioch,” he said to Barnabas. “Be ready!”

  “Kill the heretics!” someone said, and before they knew what was happening, Paul and Barnabas were pulled down and dragged through the city streets toward the edge of town. Simeon followed, calling on the other Jews in the crowd to keep the crowd fired up. Simeon turned to the local synagogue ruler.

  “This Paul has been a vexation long enough,” he said, stooping down to pick up a fist-sized rock. “Always words. Always teaching this poison. It’s time for us to teach the teacher!”

  “Is he dead?”

  In response, Paul opened his eyes, which were clogged with dried blood. He felt himself being pulled up by several hands. Within minutes, his head wrapped in a clean cloth, Paul was being escorted by some of the local believers. They were guiding him and Barnabas out of the region of Lystra.

  “They had left you for dead,” Barnabas told him. “We thought you were dead as well. But these disciples gathered and waited and believed—and you came to.”

  Paul’s head throbbed.

  “I won’t soon forget Lystra,” Paul said. “But God made an impact here; that is all that matters. We’ll return one day to strengthen the church here.”

  “Return here?” a man asked. “After that?”

  “To suffer for our Lord is an honor,” Paul said. “I would suffer ten stonings if the church is strengthened through our visits.”

  Paul thanked the men when they arrived at the main road leading out of the region. They prayed for Paul and Barnabas and gave them food and water. Paul looked at the unfamiliar country.

  “Where will this road take us?” he asked.

  “Derbe,” a man answered.

  “Then to Derbe we shall go,” said Paul. “Perhaps they will be eager to hear this good news. Remember, Barnabas, people never run out of the need for truth.”

  “I only hope they run out of rocks,” he answered.

  Paul laughed.

  Serus stayed close to Paul and Barnabas as they left the region. He was prepared to protect him to the degree that the Most High would allow. If only he had the strength of numbers Peter had when he was rescued by Gabriel in Jerusalem. But this time there was no church praying. It was evident that in such journeys, it would be up to Paul’s own faith and the mercy of the Most High to protect him.

  Chronicles of the Host

  First Mission

  Great success and great opposition met Paul and Barnabas as they continued their mission in Asia. The Host, ever vigilant, watched and waited and held the enemy back who desperately tried to incite the Jews to murder. Simeon, with the passion that once drove Paul to persecute the Church, hounded the men, following them from city to city.

  In the end they bore witness to their Lord and returned to Antioch. Lucifer had hoped to create division in the Church by instigating a conflict over whether Gentile believers should adhere to certain Jewish customs—but it was settled in Jerusalem at a council. The Church grew and enjoyed a season of rest. For the Host, however, it was a time of waiting—for we knew that Lucifer would continue his work against the Church. We didn’t have to wait long…

  Chapter Ten

  PAUL’S SECOND JOURNEY

  Paul’s Cell, Rome, A.D. 67

  “For this reason I remind you, Timothy, to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline…”

  “It was about this time you met Timothy, was it not?” Luke asked, reading the words he had just penned.

  Paul looked up from the letter he was writing. He set down the stylus and rubbed his tired eyes. “Yes. At Lystra. Barnabas and I had a falling out over John Mark.”

  He laughed.

  “But God has long since repaired that. He is ever my brother. As is John Mark. But at the time I chose Silas to accompany me, and Barnabas took Mark back to their native Cyprus. Silas and I were revisiting the churches we had started—the churches Barnabas and I had encouraged on our first trip. At Lystra we met Timothy and his family, and Timothy accompanied us after that, proving to be a great brother and encourager.”

  Paul leaned back as if remembering it all vividly. “After a time we had a decision to make—and decided that we should remain in Asia,” he continued. “But that night the Lord sent me a vision.”

  “The Macedonian,” Luke said.

  “Yes. Pleading with us to come to his land and bring the message of Christ. Then you arrived, my brother.”

  “Ah, yes,” Luke said, sipping a cup of water. “Troas. If only I had been with you for that whole trip. What a glorious adventure.”

  Paul smiled. He lifted up his cloak. “You’re fortunate that you were not, my friend. I received these marks on that mission,” he said, pointing to a series of scars on his back. “Silas and I received a flogging—my first. I lost count how many times the Jews and angry Gentiles incited violence against me. But the Lord was ever my protector.”

  “That was Corinth?” Luke asked.

  “No. Philippi,” Paul said.

  Philippi,

  Paul’s Second Mission, A.D. 48–49

  Serus followed Paul’s group on the road to Philippi. He knew that the enemy was already awaiting their arrival and would soon be stirring up the opposition that they all expected. It was a wonder to him that the minds of men could be so easily manipulated.

  Lucifer had long ago learned how the minds of men worked, and when coupled with a darkened heart, humans were capable of almost any atrocity.

  “Enjoying this assignment?” said a voice at his side.

  Serus turned to see Crispin. The wisdom angel was a favorite of his, being a wealth of information about the ways of men and God. “Paul is certainly not a dull work,” Serus said. “For one who once persecuted the Church, his passion for it is quite spectacular. Making amends, I suppose.”

  “Of course,” said Crispin. “Men often become ardent supporters of that which they once opposed. But Paul’s motivation is much more compelling than mere making amends—it is something he has recognized and is only now beginning to grasp.”

  “Ambition?” asked Serus. “He is a man driven.”

  “Not ambition. Grace,” Crispin answered. “Haven’t you seen it in his manners, his speech—his actions? The reason Paul is so driven is because he has received so much from the Most High.”

  “Grace?”

  “Something afforded to men that angels will never fully understand,” said Crispin, as they neared the town. “Grace is reserved for humans—something attained by their belief, but given by the Lord. Grace is at the heart of this message to which Paul has devoted his life. And grace is what moves him forward.”

  Founded 400 years earlier, Philippi, named after King Philip of Macedon, was an important city, strategically located in a mountain pass. It had been the site of a battle in the Roman Civil Wars between the forces of Cassius and Brutus, conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar, and Octavian, later Augustus Caesar. Paul discovered that there was another sort of battle going on here—a spiritual battle for the minds of men held captive to seducing spirits.

  After several days in the city, Paul and Silas had discovered something about Philippi: there was no synagogue. They had met a few Jews, however, and knew that they must congregate somewhere. Luke, a physician who had joined the group at Troas, suggested that they ask someone about the Jews. Paul agreed.

  “I’m going to ask this fellow,” Paul said.

  Silas and Timothy sat down and watched Paul approach a merchant. Luke left to purchase some food with what was left of their meager savings. The man pointed in one direction, and Paul thanked him and returned. As it turned out, Philippi had no synagogue.

  “But he told me the Jews often meet at the river,” Paul said. “They go down there to pray. I look forward to finally meeting the Philippian Jews.”

  Silas massaged his aching feet
. “And my feet look forward to meeting the river,” he said.

  “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved. Listen to them!”

  Lucifer laughed as a woman followed behind Paul and Silas, drawing attention to the men and proclaiming that they were servants of God. Several of the Philippians scoffed at her notions, knowing that she was a local oddity who divined futures for money, which she gave to her master. Lucifer turned to Pellecus.

  “She’s marvelous,” he said. “Who did you say is her authority?”

  “Pyris,” said Pellecus, as the girl continued down the street following Paul. “He took control after she gave herself over to divination. Now she is only useful to us and to her human master who makes money with her prophecies.”

  “Excellent,” said Lucifer. “Paul will look like a fool if he is being credited by her. You’ve done well, Pellecus.”

  “Thank you, lord,” the angel said, as the woman proclaimed loudly once more. He looked at her with disgust. “These humans. They want power and then give themselves over to us, thinking they are obtaining it.”

  “I’ve always maintained that the human lust for personal power is the easiest pride to influence,” Lucifer said. “I wonder where they get such notions?”

  Pellecus smiled.

  Silas looked back at the woman. She had been following them for several days now. He looked at Paul, who seemed lost in prayer as they walked. Luke merely shrugged. Silas shook his head and murmured under his breath.

  “Did you say something, Silas?” Paul asked.

  “That woman,” Silas said. “She continually follows us and proclaims us as messengers of the one true God.”

  Paul stopped walking.

  “She speaks truth, does she not?” Paul said. He winked at Luke.

  “Well, yes,” said Silas. “But…”

  “And didn’t our Lord say that we should receive all sorts?”

  “Of course, but…”

  “Then what is the matter?”

  “She’s demonized! Can’t you see that?”

  Paul laughed. So did the others. Silas finally realized that Paul was playing with him. He grinned at the group.

  “Very funny,” Silas said. “But what about her?”

  Paul looked at the woman.

  “I think it’s time these Philippians were introduced to real power.”

  Pyris watched Paul turn and look at him. He could sense something building in opposition to his authority in the woman. He glanced over to where Lucifer and Pellecus stood. They urged him on. Pyris spoke once more through the woman.

  “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved,” the woman shouted.

  Paul approached the woman as a crowd began gathering. They were curious as to how these men would handle the strange woman. Some thought they might beat her and stood ready to help. Others thought she was working with them. Paul stood in front of the woman and looked intently into her eyes. Pyris, feeling the heat of God’s presence, began to give way.

  “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”

  Pyris wrenched violently, and the woman was tossed down, writhing on the ground. The crowd stepped back, gasping at the sight. But the spirit could not maintain control and was compelled to leave her. He had experienced this once before—when Jesus had cast him out of a man in Caesarea Philippi.

  When the spirit left the woman, she immediately stopped thrashing around.

  Pyris sheepishly made his way to Lucifer and Pellecus. He could not look his master in the eyes. Lucifer stared at him intently—and then relaxed.

  “We can fight many things,” he finally said. “Except for the cooperation of the Spirit of the Most High with humans. I suggest, Pyris, that you limit yourself to influencing behavior rather than managing it.”

  Pyris nodded in agreement and vanished.

  “That certainly didn’t last long,” said Pellecus. “I was hoping for a complete discrediting by the people.”

  Lucifer noticed a man approaching the crowd.

  “Perhaps they will still discredit them,” he said. “Perhaps they will more than discredit them.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Pellecus.

  “Those men are the owners of that woman,” Lucifer said. “And they aren’t very happy with Paul right now!”

  Paul and Silas stood before the magistrates—the city officials of Philippi. They had been seized and taken to the marketplace, accused of unlawful practices by the owners of the woman. The truth was that they made money off this woman’s fortunetelling and were furious with Paul for this loss of income.

  Pellecus and Lucifer stood at the side. Opposite them, on the other side of the crowd, they saw Serus and Crispin. Lucifer acknowledged the angels.

  “Well, well,” he said. “Paul is in trouble again. Broke the law, it seems.”

  “The only thing Paul broke was your spirit’s ability to hold that poor girl,” said Crispin. “You’re finished, Lucifer!”

  “I concede that humans like Paul have an authority that we cannot resist,” Lucifer said. “But most humans don’t have the patience to discover the power at their disposal.”

  “That is why Paul is in Philippi,” said Serus. “To demonstrate the power that the Spirit of the Most High gives the Church.”

  “Poor Serus,” said Pellecus. “You see this Church and see a great potential for power; I look at the Church and see a great potential for failure. Never put your trust in humans, Serus. The Lord learned that in Eden when Adam turned on him.”

  Pellecus smiled at this.

  “I wouldn’t worry, Lucifer,” said Crispin. “The Most High is well acquainted with His creatures turning on Him.”

  The sound of singing filled the prison—something that was foreign to so dismal a place. The other prisoners thought that perhaps the men who had been beaten and brought in earlier were drunk. It certainly sounded like it.

  In the innermost cell of the Philippian jail, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns. The wounds on their bodies were still throbbing and tender. Even though they had been handled roughly and jailed, Paul felt honored that they were deemed worthy to suffer for the Lord.

  Serus watched the two men—amazed that they could be singing praises to the Lord at such a time. The atmosphere of the prison was being transformed from grim to glorious, so that most of the enemy spirits who frequented such places had been driven away. He wondered what he might do for these men—and didn’t have to wait long.

  “You may free them,” came a voice.

  Serus turned to see Gabriel standing behind him.

  “Gabriel! I was waiting your instruction.”

  These men may be freed,” said Gabriel. “The Most High has ordered their liberty.”

  “How shall they be freed?” Serus asked.

  As he finished these words, the place began shaking.

  “I believe the Lord is about to show you.”

  Paul looked around him as the whole jail shook violently. Suddenly their cell door flung open. They could hear the other cell doors in the jail opening with a crash. Serus looked at Gabriel.

  “All of them?”

  “The power of such praise liberates many,” explained Gabriel. “Not just those doing the praising. But you may release their bonds.”

  Serus went in and touched the shackles that bound Paul and Silas. They fell off the men. He did the same with the other prisoners as well. They were completely baffled at the turn of events. Within a few minutes, some of the other prisoners began poking their heads out of their cells, wondering what had happened. They gathered outside Silas and Paul’s cell, as if compelled to join the men whose prayers had obviously been heard.

  “Stop! Stop!” cried a voice.

  The jailer rushed in with a torch. Some of his family, who lived with him in the house above the jail, were with him. He looked at his family and then put his hand on his sword and began drawing it out. Paul sa
w this and rushed at the man.

  “No! Don’t kill yourself. We’re all here!”

  The man fell to his knees, trembling with both fear and gratitude. He could see that these were not ordinary men. He didn’t understand this God they served, but he knew that he wanted to serve Him as well. Recalling their words to him earlier, the jailer pleaded with Paul and Silas: “What must I do to be saved?”

  Paul marveled at the Lord’s grace—the saving of the very jailer who had custody of them. Paul put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Listen to me. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you—and even these in your household—can be saved.”

  The man looked back at his family, and saw his wife with tears in her eyes. He nodded in agreement, and Paul and Silas prayed with the man and his family. Within the hour they had baptized them and were seated at the man’s table enjoying a meal!

  Serus and Gabriel stood in a corner of the room. They enjoyed the sweet sense of fellowship that filled the house. Serus suddenly looked at Gabriel with an excited look. “I hear joyous shouting.”

  Gabriel smiled.

  “It is the Host, Serus,” said Gabriel. “They are shouting with great joy at this man’s salvation.

  Serus looked at the family.

  “May there be many such celebrations in Heaven!”

  Chronicles of the Host

  The Mission Continues

  The Host would have much to rejoice about in the coming days, for Paul and Silas met with great success as they continued their mission in Greece. But often great opposition comes with great success, and Simeon, vigilant as ever, stirred up the wrath of the populace wherever Paul went. From Amphipolis to Thessalonica, the Jews continually harassed and won the crowds over—usually resulting in Paul’s expulsion from the region. Still, the young Church was growing, and Paul had set his sights on one of the greatest cities in the empire: Athens.

  “I am amazed at Athens,” said Paul. “Idols everywhere!”

  They had just passed a market with yet another shrine dedicated to one of the hundreds of gods worshiped in this very religious city. Athens was a cultural, political, and religious center of Greece. It attracted philosophers, religionists, and orators from all over the empire who came to Athens to see and be seen.