THEY TOLD EVERYBODY!

Acts 13:42-44, 48, 52

    “As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.  And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.  The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

    “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

    “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

            I’m preaching through the Acts of the Apostles and in my study I’ve noticed a number of things that have struck me differently than they have before.  I’d like to share some of these with you for your own reflection beginning with the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia.

            Upon arrival in Antioch the apostles attended the synagogue meeting and as was the custom the visitors were invited to share some word of encouragement with the people.  Paul stood and preached a powerful sermon showing how God was at work throughout Jewish history in preparation of the coming of the son of David, the messiah.  He preached that the forgiveness they sought but could not obtain under the law could be theirs through the Savior, Jesus.  This message met with a welcome reception and many of the people of the synagogue begged Paul and Barnabas to come back on the next Sabbath and tell them more.

            I’m amazed at what we read in verse 44, “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.”  How is it that “almost the whole city” showed up at the synagogue on the second Sabbath to hear the apostles?  There is only one possibility.  Word of mouth.  The people who were in attendance on the first Sabbath could not stop telling everyone they met about the message the two visitors brought!  There must have been an astonishing enthusiasm about these people because their invitations resulted in a massive crowd the next Sabbath!

            Sadly, the Jews were filled with jealousy when they saw the size of the crowd and all the Gentiles who were at their synagogue.  They began “to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him” (v. 45).  As a result Paul and Barnabas announced that they were turning to the Gentiles because it had been prophesied that they should “bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (v. 47).  This caused the Gentiles to begin to celebrate and rejoice in spite of the Jews!  All those who were chosen for salvation believed!

            The Jews continued to incite opposition to the apostles and they ended up having to leave the region.  But as they left the new believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

            My reflections are centered on what happened between the two Sabbaths and the fact that these new believers were able to spread the word to so many people in just six days!  They must have been so excited to hear about a Savior who forgives their sins!  Their enthusiasm about this good news must have been so great that it overcame any hesitations they might have had about sharing it with people!  Their joy must have led them to talk about it everywhere they went!  Even when their teachers were driven out of town they continued to be filled with joy and filled with the Holy Spirit.

            Am I filled with such joy and enthusiasm about my salvation?  Am I this excited about what God has done in my life?  These questions have caused me to do some serious introspection.  How gracious God has been to me!  How amazing that he has given me forgiveness and salvation!  I have also begun to pray differently.  “Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and let him have full control of my life in such a way that I will overflow with joy so that I cannot help but tell others what you have done for me!”