And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.
Acts 14:5-7
The text above reveals a pattern that we find over and over again in Paul’s missionary journeys. He and his companions would preach in a city, some people would receive their word, but eventually great resistance would cause them to flee from that area to the next city where they’d start the process all over again! We were asked in our study guide last time why the apostles persevered and continued to preach the word boldly in the face of great persecution. Just after leaving a region of intense animosity, we read in Act 13:52 that “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”? How could this be? There are at least three reasons why they pressed on in spite of the opposition.
1) They knew they were doing the will of God
From the very outset of this endeavor, the apostles knew they had been called of God to this work. They didn’t decide to set out on this missionary effort. Rather, in Act 13:2, we see that the Holy Ghost said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Preaching the gospel in the region of the Gentiles was not an option! To refuse would have been to disobey. Listen to the language of Act 13:47: “For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'” They were assured they were doing the right thing for as they spoke “boldly in the Lord”, He “was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Act 14:3) We don’t always understand the will of God for our lives. Sometimes, we’re like the psalmist crying out, “Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You”! (Psa 143:8) But, when God gives clear direction, just obey! The opposition doesn’t matter. It’s pretty simple really.
2) They expected opposition according to Christ’s teaching
Jesus was brutally honest when it came to teaching us what the costs were in following him. When a scribe confessed his allegiance in Mat 8:19-20 saying, “I will follow You wherever You go,” the Lord didn’t glamorize what the man could expect. Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” In other words, “Are you willing to follow me if it costs you your home?” It’s interesting that we don’t read the man saying, “Sign me up!” The Apostle Paul new from the beginning of his conversion that his call to the ministry was a call to suffer. The Lord said of him, “he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Act 9:15-16) To follow Christ will cost you. Period. Opposition to Christianity is the norm, not the exception.
3) They were assured of God’s great love for them and were driven by love in return
Above all, the motivation for the disciples pressing on in the face of opposition was a deep, deep love for their Lord. It didn’t matter what men might do to them. They were so in love with Jesus, they couldn’t help but tell Men of their Savior! To truly know Him, is to love Him. If you love Him, you will confess Him no matter what. If Christ suffered the cruel death of the cross, enduring separation from His Father and the torment of hell for my sake, surely I can suffer the reproach of men for His sake. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jn 4:10) If you know this great love, you will love in return, and love and confession go together: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1Jo 4:15-16)
Of course, all of this boldness and perseverance works only because of what we’ve already quoted in Act 13:52. These men were “filled…with the Holy Spirit”! How did these men press on? By the power of the Spirit of God dwelling in them, the same Spirit that dwells in every soul born from above. That means you, Christian! It’s true. We can do nothing without Him (Joh 15:5), but with Him…now that’s a different story! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Php 4:13) Faith says believe that, embrace that, live that…no matter what. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31)
Jamie