The Troubling Gospel

Here we find Paul and Barnabas in Pisidian Antioch.

Here too the Gospel would prove to be divisive.

Like a giant boulder cast into a tiny pond, it shattered the surface calm between the city’s various ethnic groups.

The passage describes the differing reactions to the sermon Paul had just preached (13:16–41).

The initial reaction seemed positive; the subsequent response was mixed.

The Initial Reaction (vv 42-44)

The preliminary response to Pauls sermon by the synagogue audience was favorable, though that attitude would soon change.

We see 4 features of their initial positive response stand out.

They Were Pleased (v 42)

Paul’s dynamic, powerful preaching about the Messiah had piqued their interest, and they wanted to hear more.

His message was steeped in the Old Testament.

Paul had spoken of God’s sovereign choice of and care for Israel.

He had referred to Israel’s greatest king, David, and the prophets.

There was nothing objectionable in Paul’s message, except his naming Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah.

If not convinced of that truth, the people at Antioch at least did not manifest the violent opposition to it rampant in Jerusalem.

They Were Persistent (v43a)

Some in the audience were so affected by Pauls message that they could not wait until the next Sabbath to hear more.

They followed Paul and Barnabas out of the synagogue and continued to talk to the missionaries through the streets of Antioch.

Their openness to the message and desire for more knowledge about it were encouraging signs.

They Were Professing (v 43b)

They professed faith.

However the only true test of faith is perseverance.

Many have an untested faith.

This is why Paul urged them to continue in Gods grace.

True faith in not to be put on a shelf it is to be used.

It is active and not static.

They Were Present (v 44)

The interest shown by Paul’s listeners was somewhat sustained.

They were not like many who profess only momentary interest in the gospel.

On the next Sabbath they were back, anxiously awaiting the message Paul had for them.

And because of their contagious enthusiasm, nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of God proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas.

The Subsequent Response ( vv 45-49)

After the initial positive response to Paul’s sermon, the subsequent reaction split along racial lines.

The response of the Jewish people was negative; that of the Gentiles positive.

The Negative Response (vv 45-47)

What caused their vehement reverse reaction?

It was really prejudice; they resented that salvation was made available to Jew and Gentile alike.

The attitude of the prophet Jonah is the classic case that illustrates that provincial attitude.

When sent to preach to the Gentiles at Nineveh, he promptly fled in the opposite direction because he feared they would repent and turn to God.

And when the city did repent, Jonah was so angry that he wanted to die Jonah 4:1–3

Jonah 4:1–3 ESV

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Nothing infuriated the Jews more than the thought that the blessings of salvation might be extended to the despised Gentiles.

The Positive Response (vv 48-49)

Evangelism always follows true salvation, as those who are saved naturally desire to share their faith.

The converts in Antioch were no exception.

Through their enthusiastic testimony, the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.

As always, the agent through which salvation came was the word of the Lord.

Antioch was turned upside down not because Paul discoursed on self-esteem, politics, or social issues, but because he proclaimed God’s Word.

The Results (vv 50-52)

The Jewish leaders cleverly used the religious and respected women of the city and the prominent men to persuade the authorities to expel Paul and Barnabas.

Paul refers to this persecution in 2 Timothy 3:11; possibly he and Barnabas were beaten with rods or whips.

2 Timothy 3:11 ESV

11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

He also speaks about it in 2 Cor. 11:24-25

2 Corinthians 11:24–25 ESV

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

This brief passage paints in stark relief the choice facing every man.

All men either trust in Jesus and are saved or reject Him and are damned.

As He Himself put it, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matt. 12:30).