Split Opinion
Opening Prayer
Father, sometimes I am hard of hearing and don’t learn Your lessons of grace easily. I am eager to learn today.
Read ACTS 13:42–52
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.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
The truth sets us free, but it may hurt first. We need grace and courage to follow the truth, wherever it leads.
Paul knew that his audience would need time to reflect on his message. After all, he himself had resisted it for long enough. The invitation to return the following week allowed Paul to use the time well by having more informal encounters with individuals and groups. Paul was clear that what he shared, namely the grace of God, was positive and attractive.
The following week the presence of so many outsiders was not universally welcomed. People speak about wanting new people to join but at the same time are afraid of losing power or influence. Even worse, they fear that things might have to change! It wasn’t simply the message they rejected but Paul’s impact, which, in their eyes, reflected badly on themselves. So instead of open inquiry, Paul met with closed minds, hostile spirits and an unwillingness to engage with his teaching. Their rejection of Paul prompted him to offer the Gospel to the Gentiles instead (46). He was coming to understand that this Good News was for all and not just for some.
The impact of preaching depends as much on the attitude of the hearers as on the competence of the speaker. The respect and hearing the Gentiles gave to Paul was like an open door, through which the Gospel could pass into their lives (48). Something had clicked and they not only received the word but shared it far and wide (49). The impact was immediate and significant. This provoked more aggressive hostility (50). If his enemies couldn’t keep Paul quiet they could at least banish him. It was ironic that Jews, who liked to keep apart from Gentiles, ended up in an unholy alliance with some of them to expel Paul and Barnabas. The Gospel divides. In some a hatred was born which would fester; in others a joy was born which came from God.
Apply
“Joy is the sure sign that the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in us” (52, Lloyd John Ogilvie). Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Closing prayer
Merciful Lord, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the Spirit’s fruit of joy will be in me and overflow from me, for Your glory.
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