“But the Jews… stirred up persecution… And the disciples were filled with joy…” (Acts 13:50, 52)
Bible Reading: Acts 13:48-52
The opposition of jealous Jews led Paul and Barnabas to “turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). While this didn’t go well with their persecutors, it brought joy to those who were not of Jewish background.
We read that “when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (v. 48). For centuries, the Gentiles had been spurned by Jews. But here, Paul and Barnabas were telling them that the Saviour God had sent into the world was not for Jews alone, but for all people.
Little wonder that they “glorified the word of the Lord” and that “the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region” (v. 49). And it was bearing fruit. “As many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (v. 48b). The sovereignty of God in salvation is evident here. Ultimately, saving faith is the gift of God to those “appointed” to salvation.
But whereas the “spreading” word of the Lord brought gladness to one section of the population, to another, it fuelled even stronger opposition. Jews “incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district” (v. 50). They targeted people of influence and used their authority to create trouble for the gospel preachers.
The outcome of this was the forced removal of Paul and Barnabas from the district. Following the words of the Lord Jesus, the two men “shook off the dust of their feet against them and went on to Iconium” (v. 51; compare with Matthew 10:14). To shake the dust of a place from one’s feet symbolised having done with a place, leaving it to its own folly and rejection.
That didn’t mean, however, that their time in Antioch had been wasted. Luke’s final words about the city and the region tell us that “the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (v. 52). Later, we will see this same combination in Thessalonica. There, the preaching of the gospel produced persecution as well. But Paul could write of how the believers in that city had “received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit…” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).
These three things – affliction, joy and the Holy Spirit – seem to belong together. Where there is faithful witness, be it in word or in life, suffering typically follows. But the Lord does not leave his people without his comfort. Indeed, occasions of suffering seem to be accompanied by special influences of the Holy Spirit. He combats the pain of persecution by supplying a heavenly joy that makes affliction not only bearable but a blessing.
Here we have another reminder that God’s grace at work will always produce a twofold effect – opposition and joy. We mustn’t be surprised when we see this, nor let it cower us into silence. It is the way it will always be.
Closing Thoughts:
- Does the threat of opposition make you reluctant to share the gospel?
- Have you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit?