“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”

Acts 13:44-45 NIV

Once again, Paul and Barnabas hir a brick wall…fanatical and unbelieving Jews! Rejection! Abuse! The weapons of character assassination! These Jewish opponents revealed the true nature of their hearts. Their words condemned them. 

“When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.”

Finally…the Holy Spirit was making clear to these two pioneer missionaries that their target was to be the Gentile world…no less difficult or hostile than the Jews but the field in which He had called them to labour. These Gentile people were cemented in pagan religion… superstition…witchcraft…the realm of demonic activity…and delusion. 

The Greek and Roman world had no background knowledge of God’s dealings with them. They had no experience of a covenant commitment to the only true God…of a history of the God who had revealed Himself to them…given them His instructions for life and made them His representatives among the nations. 

Theses pagans lived in fear of gods that could do great harm to them if they did not appease them…offer sacrifice to them…do rituals for them. They could also manipulate these gods to do what they wanted. Their gods were the product of human imagination…at its worst!

The  Caesars themselves demanded worship as God and, if their subjects disobeyed, could condemn them to die in the most cruel and horrible way…to entertain the bloodthirsty citizens. 

Into this pagan and hopeless arena, Paul and Barnabas plunged, armed with the Holy Spirit and truth. God had called them…and they obeyed with whole-hearted zeal , knowing that He would not fail them. 

What follows was nothing short of miraculous. The Gentiles responded to the gospel with gladness and faith. Their introduction to Jesus as a loving and forgiving Saviour brought relief and joy to their tormented  souls. They were not eaten up with self-righteousness. They were grateful for God’s peace in their hearts as they opened up to truth. 

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord…

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭48‬a NIV‬‬

Then Luke added a Holy Spirit-inspired comment that has had scholars and believers puzzled down the centuries…

“…and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭48‬b NIV‬‬

Luke, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, revealed that the heavenly “selection committee” was at work…choosing for Himself, from among the Gentiles, the living stones that would be built into His holy temple along with the Jews who recognised and surrendered to Jesus as their Messiah and Lord. 

This introduction to the Gentile ministry must have encouraged Paul and Barnabas after the rough treatment they had received from their fellow countrymen. So…they continued to seek out the Gentiles who would, in the end, also give them a mixed reception. 

To be continued