By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
THE TASK
Acts 13:42–52
Mixed responses (42–45)
Paul and Barnabas traveled to the city of Pisidian Antioch, going to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul was given the floor to speak, and beginning with Moses and the Exodus, he followed the Old Testament story to its fulfillment in Jesus. He emphasized the crucifixion of Jesus, His burial and His resurrection and the fact that this was witnessed by many people.
Many people wanted to hear more about this, so Paul returned the next Sabbath to continue. However, many Jews rejected Paul’s message because they were jealous of the attention Paul and his company were receiving. They argued against them, causing Paul and Barnabas to leave and go to the Gentiles.
The story is no different for Christians today. The gospel is an offense. It tells people that there is a God they are answerable to, and it tells them that they don’t have the ability to satisfy God’s demands. This is offensive to people who are naturally prideful because it shows them that they have to rely on the goodness and love of God to save them, and this comes through the sacrifice — death, burial and resurrection — of Jesus Christ. This is not earned. Again, this goes against our human belief that one must DO something to RECEIVE something. Salvation comes through faith, accepting that I am a sinner in need of saving and that this only comes through Christ.
Gentile believers (46–48)
Paul and Barnabas took the gospel to the Jews first because the gospel message was first for the Jews and then for the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). This was for several reasons. The Jews were called to be priests to the nations (Ex. 19:6), which means that God had chosen the Israelites to be the people through whom the nations would know Him. It was natural that the gospel would first be heard by the Jews so that they could see God’s hand in salvation history, using them as His messengers.
Another reason Paul went to the Jews first is that they had the background to understand the gospel. All of the Old Testament is pointing to Christ, and so the Jews were best prepared to receive the gospel message.
Lastly, Paul himself had been a Pharisee and had misunderstood the Old Testament. Having been given the proper understanding of the Old Testament, it seems only natural that he would want to extend the same grace to his fellow Jews.
However, since the Jews rejected it, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles, many of whom embraced the gospel.
Spread of the gospel (49–52)
The gospel spread throughout the Gentile community with joy. Living in darkness and fearing death and the spirits, the gospel gives hope and allays fears. There is joy in knowing that your sins have been atoned for and that you have been made right with God through Christ. The Gentiles reacted in a way that created quite a stir. The Jews stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and kicked them out of the city.
The persecution that came should not surprise us. Satan cannot stand the gospel, and so he creates problems for the Church. In spite of this persecution, Paul and Barnabas continued on their way, sharing the gospel as they went. Persecution should not stop us from sharing the gospel, but we should be encouraged that God’s Word is effective even in the midst of opposition.
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