Copyright © S P Townsend
WCF - THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Study Number 24: Acts 13 v 43 - 14 v 7
17 Sep 1989
Paul and Barnabas, with John Mark as their helper, had travelled by ship to Cyprus (Barnabas' home island) and then to the mainland north of Cyprus teaching people the Good News about Jesus. As they went, God confirmed their message with powerful signs. In each major town they would attend the Jewish place of worship on the Sabbath (Saturday) to proclaim to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Christ - God's Annointed One sent to bring deliverance and salvation. As they did so some received their message gladly, but others opposed them.
After giving the Jews an opportunity to hear the gospel, Paul and Barnabas delivered the message to non-Jewish people also (Gentiles). Always there was a glad response by many people, but on the other hand there were groups that hated the message and opposed Paul and Barnabas. In the district of Galatia the main towns they visited were Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. They concentrated on the main towns and saw large groups of disciples established in each one. These disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, so that they in turn went everywhere witnessing for Jesus, and the word of the Lord spread throughout the countryside.
Those who opposed the gospel were motivated initially by jealousy. Satan took advantage of their weakness, and soon these people moved from jealousy to abusive talk, organised opposition, evil conspiracies, hatred campaigns and even murder. But God's grace was sufficient to uphold and strengthen Paul and Barnabas and the new converts through it all.
THE REACTION
HOSTILE REJECTION Acts 13 v 45, 46
GLAD RECEPTION Acts 13 v 48
THE RESPONSE
FILLED WITH JEALOUSY Acts 13 v 45
FILLED WITH JOY Acts 13 v 52
THE RESULT
PERSECUTION Acts 13 v 50, 14 v 5
POWER Acts 13 v 48, 14 v 1,3
Copyright © S P Townsend