Acts 13:42-52
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath nearly all the city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.
46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I have appointed You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
50 But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Pisidian Antioch (10)
Response to the sermon (3)
Many Gentiles believed the gospel preached by Paul and were filled with joy. Through them, the gospel spread throughout the entire region. However, there were Jews who did not rejoice over this. They took action to expel Paul and Barnabas. “But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.” (1) The Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas from the region. They achieved this by influencing “the devout women of prominence” and “the leading men of the city.” (a) At that time, there were many women who showed interest in Judaism. These women had ample time to think and did not need to worry about circumcision. The “devout women of prominence” held considerable influence. They could exert their power by persuading their husbands. (b) The “leading men of the city” likely refers to city officials. They, too, held substantial power. (2) Paul refers to his own experiences in 2 Timothy 3:11: “…persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!” (3) Paul and Barnabas left Pisidian Antioch and moved to Iconium. (a) “Shook off the dust from their feet” refers to the act of removing one sandal and shaking off the dust. This was a ritual indicating, “This land is defiled, down to the very dust.” (b) In Matthew 10:14, the Lord Jesus teaches this: “And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.” (c) The two traveled about 84 miles (135 km) southeast to reach Iconium. “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (1) A small church was born in this town. “The disciples” refers to the disciples of Jesus Christ, that is, the believers. (2) They were filled with joy. Joy is a fruit of the gospel. They were also filled with the Holy Spirit. Let us learn a lesson from the indomitable spirit of Paul and Barnabas. When one door closes, another door opens. In Christ, we will not be put to shame.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, in the Lord Jesus, I will not be put to shame. Please fill me with Your Spirit so that I may walk boldly in faith. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.