Devotional Acts 13:13–52: The Speech in Antioch and Envy Reflection on Acts 13:13–52: Paul's sermon in Pisidian Antioch, the rejection by the Jews, and learning to shake the dust off your feet. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Acts 13:13–52: The Speech in Antioch and Envy

Today’s devotional is found in the book of Acts, chapter 13, verses 13–52, and this is what happened.

Synopsis: In these verses, Saul and Barnabas go to Pisidian Antioch while John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. In Pisidian Antioch, on the Sabbath, Saul and Barnabas go to the synagogue to hear the scripture reading and are then invited to speak a word of exhortation to the congregation. It was there that Saul gave his testimony reviewing God’s plan and promise, which was fulfilled through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He exhorted the congregation to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior so that their sins might be forgiven. The congregation liked Saul’s words and asked them to return on following Sabbaths to teach more. As many believed the gospel and admired the wisdom and authority of Saul and Barnabas, the Jews and city leaders became filled with envy because of the crowds following them. Therefore, the Jews incited devout women and prominent men of the city to persecute Saul and Barnabas and expel them from the region. Saul and Barnabas left the city and shook the dust off their feet, for they had fulfilled their mission in that place: those who were meant to believe believed, and those who would not believe did not.

Observations

These were my observations.

1. Wisdom precedes authority, and authority precedes influence. When Saul addressed the congregation in Pisidia, he spoke with wisdom and conviction. Because of this, the members in the synagogue were amazed, knowing that what they heard was the truth, which conferred authority upon him. Consequently, it also brought him influence in the region where he spoke: “As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 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. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” (Acts 13:42–44 NIV).
2. Influence brings envy. A highly influential person commands the attention of the masses and can move them to action. In the case of Saul and Barnabas, they influenced the population of Pisidia to believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This was opposed by the Jews who believed Jesus was not the Christ but a false prophet. Seeing the crowds listening to and following the apostles, they became filled with jealousy: “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.” (Acts 13:45 NIV).
3. Persecution is inevitable when you do God’s will boldly. Jesus had already warned us that when we become holy by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receiving the Holy Spirit, we no longer belong to this world. Consequently, the world rejects and persecutes us, for it hates whatever does not belong to it: “»If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18–19 NIV). That is why Saul and Barnabas were persecuted and driven out of that region, for they were Christians and no longer of this world: “The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 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.” (Acts 13:49–50 NIV).
4. We must know how to shake the dust off our feet when the gospel is rejected. As Christians, Jesus gave us several commandments, one of which is to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 NIV). This is vital for many reasons previously discussed in this blog. However, this does not mean we will always be welcomed when spreading the gospel. On the contrary, while some will listen, most of the time we should expect opposition—as mentioned in the previous point. That is why Jesus also instructed that if we are not received and are driven out of a place for preaching the gospel, we should shake the dust off our feet: “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them».” (Luke 9:5 NIV). And that is precisely what Saul and Barnabas did, following Jesus’ directions when persecuted by the Jews and their accomplices: “So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.” (Acts 13:51 NIV). Therefore, we should not grow discouraged or sad when facing rejection while sharing the gospel. Even apostles filled with the Holy Spirit were rejected by many. Who are we to expect everything to go smoothly without opposition? If we do not yet have the exact same level of spiritual maturity and conviction as the apostles, we simply need to do our part as Jesus commanded and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.