Sermon 24

Opposite Responses

Acts 13:42-52

Paul preached Jesus to the Jews in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Beginning in Acts 13:42, our text for tonight, we see two opposite responses to Paul's message. Let's compare them.

The Initial Response, vs. 42-44.

The initial response to Paul's preaching appeared to be quite positive. Particularly by the Gentiles who had attended synagogue. Verse 42 says that the Gentiles lingered and after the Jews had departed, they asked Paul to return the following sabbath and tell them more. There is an obvious interest here.

Even more interest is stated in verse 43. The meeting breaks up and Paul is followed by many Jews and proselytes. They were persistent. Paul doesn't even stop preaching after the synagogue service. He continues to speak persuasively to them about continuing in the message of God's grace.

Their interest is also evident by their conversation throughout that week. They were passing on the news. The word has spread so that "almost the whole city came to hear the word of God." They were present.

The initial response is quite promising.

The Eventual Response, vs. 45-49.

Remember what Jesus said in the parable of the sower? Some of the seed fell along the wayside and was devoured by the birds (Satan). Some fell on stony ground and after an initial enthusiastic response was soon withered due to persecution and tribulation. Some fell in thorny ground and was choked out by the cares of the this world and the deceitfulness of riches. But some fell on good ground and brought forth various amounts of fruit.

We find that happening right hear. After what was initially a very positive and promising response, soon there came a negative response.

The big crowd made the Jews jealous and they began to criticize and contradict what was being preached by Paul and Barnabas. When you contradict was is truth, you are guilty of blasphemy. If Paul says that Jesus is the Messiah and that is a true message, then if someone says that Jesus is not the Messiah, he is a blasphemer.

Such criticism is often intended to be intimidating. But far from being intimidated, Paul and Barnabas were emboldened and told them that indeed it was God's plan that the gospel first be offered to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. There is an interesting phrase in verse 46. It says, in essence, that those who result the word of God "judge themselves to be unworthy of the everlasting life." Is God to blame if people die and go to hell? No way! The person who dies in their sins has judged himself to be unworthy of eternal life. He is, himself, responsible for his condition.

Paul was reminded of his calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and the promise that God would bless that ministry both in scope and in results, v. 47. At this point, there are two definite and opposite responses.

The Gentiles are glad. They glorify God and believe and are saved. Whereas verse 46 expresses the human responsibility in salvation, verse 48 expresses the divine side of salvation. So far as the foreknowledge and choosing of God were concerned, those who were ordained to eternal life believed. We wrestle with these truths because from our view point them appear to be contradictory. That's the way it is with all great truths (Scripture; Death of Jesus; deity of Christ). Both sides are true.

And verse 49 says that as a result of this the word of God was published throughout all the region.

The Jews are mad. They use every ounce of influence that they possess with the people of rank (the honorable women and the chief men) and bring a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expel them out of the region.

The Missionaries are glad. To shake the dust off your feet is a symbolic act to express that you had tried and could do no more, see Luke 10:10-12.

Paul and Barnabas traveled on but left behind a group of disciples filled with joy and the Holy Ghost!

This passage reminds us that not everyone responds the same way to the gospel. We have no control and no responsibility to a person's response. Our responsibility is to see to it that the gospel is preaching in all the world and to every creature. Do what you are suppose to do. Leave the results up to God!