Ministry Midst Opposition
TRANSLATION
(44) On the next sabbath almost the entire city gathered to hear the Word of God. (45) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was proclaiming, scorning his words. (46) Paul and Barnabas said boldly, “It was necessary that the Word of God should be first spoken to you, Jews. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. (47) This is what the Lord commanded us to do saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
(48) When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the Word of God, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the Word of the Lord spread abroad throughout the region. (50) But the Jews, inciting God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up animosity against Paul and Barnabas and had them expelled from the area. (51) They shook the dust off their feet as a testimony against them and went on to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(1) Now in Iconium they went as usual to the synagogue of the Jews. Their message brought a great number of Jews and Gentiles to faith. (2) However, unbelieving Jews stirred up some of the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (3) They remained there for a long time boldly testifying to the Lord who confirmed the message of grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. (4) However, the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. (5) And when a plot was hatched both by the Gentiles and the Jews along with their leaders to mistreat and stone them, (6) they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyconia and the surrounding region. (7) There they continued to preach the gospel.
OBSERVATIONS
What happened in Iconium resembled what had just taken place in Pisidian Antioch. After their initial success in proclaiming the Gospel, Paul and Barnabas were eventually forced to leave town due to unbelieving Jews stirring up opposition against them. Repetitions in this segment included “the Word of the Lord/God” (vss. 44, 46, 48, & 49), “Jews/Jewish” (vss. 45, 1, 2, 4, & 5), “Paul/Paul and Barnabas” (vss. 45, 46, & 50), “Gentiles” (vss. 46, 47, 48, 2, & 5), “stirred up” (vss. 50 & 2), and “Iconium” (vss. 51 & 1).
OUTLINE
I. Paul and Barnabas turned from the Jews who rejected their message to proclaim God’s Word to the Gentiles. (13:44-47)
II. While many Gentiles turned to the Lord, the Jews stirred up opposition against Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave the area. (13:48-51)
III. In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas at first had a fruitful ministry but then were again driven out because of Jewish opposition. (14:1-7)
IDEA STATEMENT
Both in Pisidian Antioch and in Iconium, the effective spread of the Gospel was accompanied by strong opposition from the unbelieving Jews.
APPLICATION
Whenever God’s work in the world advances, the enemy is certain to oppose it. In fact, such resistance can serve as an effective test of genuine Gospel ministry. This is just as true in today’s world as it was in the time of the apostles. That is one reason why Paul penned the following warning to Timothy regarding Christian life and ministry: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Tim. 4:12). If we learn to expect opposition in our personal lives as well as in the life of any growing, effective church to which we belong, we won’t be caught off guard when such opposition inevitably arises.
Just as love marks the life of the godly, so Satanic hostility testifies to the genuineness of those individuals and groups that are committed to proclaiming the Gospel. The Apostle John left the recipients of his first epistle these encouraging words: “…he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). Knowing that the indwelling Holy Spirit has promised to empower and protect us no matter what opposition we face can give us the strength we need to resist Satan and move forward with God’s work in whatever situation we find ourselves.