Acts 14 | Facing HardshipSample

Facing Opposition

Paul and Barnabas are traveling deeper into Gentile country. As they do, things are escalating.

We pick up in the Gentile city of Iconium. Here, like in so many other Gentile cities, a synagogue is present. Following their typical pattern, Paul and Barnabas go to the synagogue. They speak so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles come to believe. Jesus even does signs and wonders through them.

And yet.

Typical to the pattern we’ve seen (and which Paul will repeatedly face), some rise up against him. Pay attention to the phrases Luke uses in this first part of Acts 14:

• “But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers” (14:2).
• “The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles” (14:4).
• “There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them” (14:5).

Divisions. Poisoning minds. Plots afoot. As extreme as stoning.

Expect to face opposition for following Jesus.

You may not experience it in the same way as Paul and Barnabas, but in some form it will be there. It is a sad, but inevitable reality Jesus warns us about simply for following him. Some people will reject you. Some will insult you, try to intimidate you, slander you, and even stir people up against you. In those times, maybe it’s best to remember what Jesus said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:11-12).

There’s a life lesson to be learned from Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14 that flows from what Jesus taught. After spending considerable time in Iconium, after many people heard the gospel and came to faith, and after the rest rose up against them and sought to mistreat and stone them, Peter and Barnabas fled to another place.

This was no act of cowardice, as we’ll see later in the story. Not everyone wants the gospel. Not everyone is open to God. Often, as Christians, we want God for others more than they want him themselves. We know what’s at stake. We know what they’re missing. But ultimately, it comes down to them. And when it’s clear the gospel is being rejected, or that we are being rejected, Jesus tells us to move on to another place. There are too many people out there who are still open to the gospel or who haven’t yet heard to put all our energy into those who are rejecting it. Our job is to share his gospel, and leave the results to God. Paul and Barnabas left, and diffused the situation. They took the heat off the disciples who were remaining.

What kind of opposition are you facing? Where do you think your work of sharing the gospel isn’t finished, and in what situations is it time to “get out of town”?