November 19, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

No Apostles Here!

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord, You know my heart and You discern the hidden secrets of my mind. I’m grateful for Your love and acceptance.

Read ACTS 13:46-14:7

For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

[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 Jews 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 from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. [1] At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. [2] But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [3] So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. [4] The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. [5] There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. [6] But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, [7] where they continued to preach the good news.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

As you ponder this passage, recall how you came to Christ, and give thanks to God for those people who shared the good news with you.

The good news about Jesus Christ evokes strong reactions. For some, it is a source of great joy when they discover the life-changing message of the grace of God which transforms us inwardly and promises us eternal life. For others, this same message produces deep feelings of hatred and resentment. As Paul and Barnabas discover in different locations, those who oppose their message campaign vigorously against the apostles. Not only do they incite others to attack them physically, they even plot to kill them. Adopting strong-arm tactics, they force Paul and Barnabas to flee from one city to another.

At first sight it might appear that opposition to Paul and Barnabas came only from Jews; however, the present passage makes two references to unbelieving Jews inciting Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. This was not simply a struggle setting Jews against the followers of Jesus. It was a conflict that included Gentiles. Hostility to the gospel message is never confined to one particular group of people; it may come from anywhere.

While Paul’s custom was to proclaim the Good News to Jews first, he saw his mission as bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. This remains God’s mission for his Church today, and it is a mission in which all of us ought to share. Those who opposed Paul and Barnabas seemed to have the advantage: the apostles were frequently forced to move on. Nevertheless, their witness to Jesus Christ bore fruit. When one door closed, another opened. We, too, should not become disheartened when the good news we share with others provokes a hostile response. There is nothing new or strange in this. As with Paul and Barnabas, it may simply be time to share the good news somewhere else.

Apply

Pray for those whose special calling is to be church planters and evangelists. Think creatively about how you may support the global mission of Christ’s Church.

Closing prayer

Sovereign Lord, You are directing and guiding my life. May I use each moment to support Your mission in the world.

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