Acts of the Holy Spirit #21 - Acts 13:42-14:7

After delivering an interesting and provocative teaching during the synagogue service referencing God’s redemptive history, Paul and Barnabas are invited to return the following Shabbat. Little is revealed as to what Paul and Barnabas do during the week, other than a short exert of them urging the Jews of the synagogue (note: the community is mixed) to continue in the Grace of God. We had a discussion to why this term Grace of God was used and why only to the Jews of the community in Psidian Antioch.

During the week, word seems to have spread around town and the following Shabbat service finds a large Gentile crowd attending to hear Paul and Barnabas. This popularity provokes a jealous reaction from the Jewish people. Why would they be jealous? Perhaps their monopoly on God was endangered? Many of us in the Christian world find ourselves jealous of other peoples ministries and popularity. The result of such jealousy can never be good. In Acts 13 the Jews openly arguing against Paul. This results in Paul giving a rebuke to the Jews and a declaration of him turning to the Gentiles with the Gospel. Initially the movement spreads through the region (Galatia) prompting undefined persecution. Sacred History records the Jews inciting wealthy god fearing women of the community to enable the persecution. How exactly we are not told? Rabbinic literature records many conversations between Rabbis and wealthy Gentile women. Apparently during the 2nd Temple Period Jewish Diaspora had begun to influence the Gentile elites, in particular the wealthy ladies of court. Paul and Barnabas react by leaving the area, shaking the dust off their feet in protest, at which point the episode finishes with the description of them being full of joy and the Holy Spirit. Note: the Holy Spirit has not been mentioned perviously in Psidian Antioch. Why did we need to know this? Full of the Spirit with no recorded action by the Spirit. Discussion on Free Will and Predestination from the Verse 48. The Greek word used there τάσσω does mean appointed/ordained strongly implying God’s sovereignty.

Despite having declared an intention to go the Gentiles, we find Paul and Barnabas in the synagogue at Iconium. We are not told the content of the speech but we are told of its effectiveness. It divides the community. Paul and Barnabas experience the same reaction in Iconium as in Antioch. Here too it would appear that the Jewish community turned to the Gentiles in order to gain some added force to their perceived authority. Note: Jesus said He did not come to bring peace but a sword and divisiveness. Opposition ferments again against our heroes, however this time they react differently. There is no rebuke, no dust shaking. Instead Paul and Barnabas stay and spend considerable time (undefined) with the new community. The Lord confirms the message through miracles (undefined).

There is a marked difference between Antioch and Iconium. In Antioch we have speech recored, a verbal rebuke, expulsion and flight and no miracles. In Iconium we have no speech recorded, no rebuke, no flight and we get miracles. What do we make and learn of this Sacred History. Note: the Holy Spirit is mentioned as filling the apostles but that is all. The opposition and persecution against the apostles becomes a violent plot, which is discovered (unclear as to how) with the result that Paul and Barnabas flee further afield.