Acts 13:42-52 NIV:
[42] "As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. [43] When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
[44] On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. [45] When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
[46] Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. [47] For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' ”
[48] When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
[49] The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. [50] But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. [51] So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
A couple things stand out to me as I read these verses. First, the boldness of Paul and Barnabas. They were unaffected in their proclamation of the Gospel by the contradiction, by the efforts of the Jews, even by the persecution against them that was stirred up by the Jews. They knew that they were called and commissioned, and empowered to do that which they had been sent to do.
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Second, the clear understanding they had of the basics of the Gospel. Their answer to the Jews in verse 45, "you do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life." was apparently a quick summary of the basis of their message of salvation. They came bearing the Truth that resulted in Eternal Life through salvation in Jesus Christ. This was an invitation into something that was unattainable for the common man, for neither Greek nor Roman mythology had many options for eternal life, unless you were a god, or blessed by a god. They both had Hades, the place where the dead were sent but that wasn't a hope. The Jews believed in the afterlife, but most Gentile beliefs present in this time and location didn't hold out hope for Eternal Life. Thus, this message of salvation through Christ Jesus into Eternal Life, into an experience of that life here and now, as evidenced by the signs and wonders that were provided through the power of Hoy Spirit, was proof that their message was true and caused it to stand out as a light to the Gentiles.
Third, the Gentiles, likely for some of the reasons I listed above, were receptive of the Word of the Lord, and honored it. In other words they received this message and believed. Paul and Barnabas were focused on them, not on the opposition. Their call and ministry was to seek and save the lost and they rejoiced when the Lost were saved!
Fourth, Paul and Barnabas were smart enough to move on when they were expelled, trusting God to continue His work in the people of Pisidian Antioch. They knew that their role was the proclamation of the Good News, they were wise enough to know that the Holy Spirit would continue to direct and guide those that came to salvation. They relied on the direction of the Holy Spirit, and sometimes that came in the form of a re-filling, as evidenced in verse 52. Luke writes that they were filled with joy AND with the Holy Spirit. There is nothing like the sweet embrace of the Holy Spirit when struggling through a tough time, or feeling like a failure in the task you thought you understood. God is fully in charge, and we need to learn to listen to Him and follow His lead. They left Pisidian Antioch and moved down the road to Iconium where the Lord gave them quite a bit of success, and confirmed their words - Acts 14:3 NIV: "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." They understood that there were many people and many places that still were open to the Gospel and they moved on. They had a directive word to go to Pisidian Antioch and then the Lord gave them direction to move on to Iconium, and from Iconium they visited Lystra and Derbe, each time they moved was the result of persecution.
Fifth, God's plan could not be thwarted by the attacks and persecutions that were stirred up against them. God is so much bigger and has so many ways of working, and all of them are within His plan and power. As Jesus said, "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (John 3: 35-36 NIV).
He also said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30 NIV).
What a great message of hope and salvation! What a wonderful Gospel! The Lord invites us into Eternal Life, and when He gives us Eternal Life, none can steal it away, none can thwart Him!
This morning I am encouraged by the witness of Paul and Barnabas, by their resilience, their boldness, their willingness to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. I am encouraged that the Lord's plan and purpose will be accomplished regardless of the efforts of the enemy and opposition! I am encouraged to entrust myelf into His care and direction in my pursuit of my calling, commission and purpose.
Amen!
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