Acts 13:52, By Abby W.

Acts 13:52

 By Abby W.

 Has someone ever acted ungrateful towards you? Have you ever done something kind for

someone only to have them throw it back in your face?

That's what happened to Paul and Barnabas. Directed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the word of

God, the two traveled from the church at Antioch, to Cyprus, to Pisidian Antioch. On Cyprus,

Paul and Barnabus confronted a false profit, blinding him through the Holy Spirit and converting

many to Christianity. Once they reached Pisidian Antioch, the two were invited by the synagogue

rulers to encourage the people.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabus spoke the word of God to the people- both

Gentiles and Jews. Through the Grace of God, Paul and Barnabus were successful in spreading

the word of Jesus, too successful for the liking of some. Paul and Barnabus were invited back to

speak the next Sabbath. Multitudes of people came to hear the two speak, and some of the Jews

became jealous and spoke against Paul, Barnabus, and their message (God's word).

This was an extreme case of jealousy. Paul and Barnabus were speaking with the power of the

Holy Spirit, so by being jealous of Paul and Barnabus, the Jews were actually being jealous of

God. These people knew God too, they were his Chosen People, the people he had led out of

captivity in Egypt, through the desert, and sent his Son to die for. Paul and Barnabus had been

proclaiming God's word to them and teaching them about Jesus so that they might be saved, and

yet because of jealousy, the Jews were entirely unresponsive and ungrateful.

Paul and Barnabus did not back down. They knew that God had appointed them as his

messengers, and that there were those in the crowd willing to be saved. Paul and Barnabus spoke

boldly to the Jews, insisting that even though they were unwilling to accept God's mercy and

salvation, the Gentiles were willing to accept the truth, and many believed on the spot. Rather

than repenting for their vicious slander, however, the Jews insighted a riot against Paul and

Barnabus, expelling them from the city.

Paul and Baunabus were not dismayed, however. Acts 13:52 tells us that "the disciples were

filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

What?!?! I cannot tell you the last time I was thrown out from anything for spreading the God's

word, let alone felt happy afterwards! Yet, that's exactly what happened to Paul and Barnabus,

and not only were they happy about it, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabus

knew that God had a plan, and that what had happened was a part of his plan. They did not know

the plan, and they did not see how what had happened fit into his plan, but they had faith in God

and continued to witness for him.

The story of Paul and Barnabus is an important example for all of us. Each of us is called to

witness for God. Each of us will face naysayers, and we must speak boldly against them. Most of

all, we must have faith that our lives are a part of God's plan, and continue to live joyously for

Him.