The Scribe by Francine Rivers Page B

reported signs and wonders that had occurred among the Greeks in Lystra, Derbe, and Iconium.
    “Surely these events are proof enough of God’s acceptance of them as His children.” Paul grew passionate. “God accepts them. How can we even consider going back to the Law from which Christ freed us? This cannot be!”
    We asked Paul and Barnabas to withdraw so that we could pray on the matter and discuss it further. His eyes blazed, but he said no more. He told me later he wanted to argue the case further, but knew the Lord was training him in patience. How I laughed over that.
    It was not an easy matter for us to decide. We were all Jews with the law of Moses ingrained in our minds from childhood. But Peter spoke for all of us when he said, “We are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” Still there were other concerns to address, reasons why some direction must be given these new Gentile Christians so that they wouldn’t be easily enticed back into the licentious worship of their culture. I had traveled more widely than most of those on the council and could speak of the issues with personal knowledge. I had seen pagan practices, and so had my father, who had traveled to Asia, Thrace, Macedonia, and Achaia and told me what he saw. We could not just say we are all saved by grace, and not say more!
    James spoke for compromise.
    While the council discussed the issues, I acted as secretary and made a list of the most important points on which we agreed. We needed to reassure the Gentile Christians of salvation through the grace of our Lord Jesus and encourage them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, engaging in sexual immorality, eating meat from strangled animals, and consuming blood—all things they may have practiced while worshiping false gods. They all agreed that James and I should draft the letter.
    “Someone must carry it north to Antioch so that none there can say that Paul or Barnabas have written it.”
    James was needed in Jerusalem. Judas (also called Barsabbas) volunteered, and then suggested me as his companion.
    Peter agreed. “Since the letter will be written by your hand, Silas, you should go and testify to it. Then there will be no question of its origin.”
    Oh, how my heart beat with excitement. And dread. It had been over ten years since I had ventured outside the boundaries of Judea.
    It was time I did.

    As I prepared for the journey with Judas, Paul, and Barnabas, John Mark came to see me. His Greek was greatly improved, as was his confidence, and he believed strongly that the Lord was calling him back to Syria and Pamphylia. He asked me to speak to Paul on his behalf, which I agreed to do.
    I did not expect so firm a refusal from a man who argued so passionately for grace!
    “Let him stay in Jerusalem and serve! He was called once before and turned his back on the Lord.”
    “Called, Paul, but not fully prepared.”
    “We haven’t time to coddle him, Silas.”
    “He doesn’t ask it of you.”
    “And how long would it be before he missed his mother again?”
    His sarcasm grated. “He had reasons other than missing his family, Paul.”
    “None that convince me he is trustworthy.”
    I left the matter then, determined to take it up again the next day when he’d had time to think more on the matter. Barnabas tried to warn me.
    “It is a sin to hold a grudge, Barnabas.” We are so swift to see the faults in others, failing to see the same fault in ourselves.
    “It’s his determination to spread the message of Christ that presses him on like no other man I know. Paul cannot understand other men who are not so driven as he.”
    Ignoring his wise advice, I tried again. I thought to go to the heart of the matter.
    “You spoke eloquently of grace, Paul. Can you offer none to John Mark?”
    “I forgave him.”
    His tone rankled. “How kind of you.”
    How easily we forget that harsh words serve only to fan anger into flame.
    Paul looked at me, eyes