Acts 13:4-52 THE HAND OF THE LORD When Barnabas and Saul left the brethren and sisters of the Antioch assembly for the work set before them, they had the assurance of the fellowship of the saints. The hands of identification have been laid on them by the Christians at Antioch and it would have been a comfort to know that even though separated by miles and among those of different cultures, they were supported by the intercession of faithful believers. Each place they visited was different, but in each place, they preached "the word of God" - the message was the same. John Mark was there to take care of day to day needs while Barnabas and Saul pressed ahead with "the work."
The interest of the government official, Sergius Paulus, was such that he wanted to hear the word of God in a personal setting. It is not uncommon where and when God is working, for the devil to oppose in whatever way he can. Elymas, the sorcerer was a man under the domination of the power of darkness. Such people will seek to divert the interest and attention of those who hear the Gospel away from "the faith." The body of truth we preach and the One we represent when we preach the word of God, is greater than any power that can come against God's word. "In vain doth earth and hell oppose, for God is stronger than His foes."
Some brethren like John Mark, find the pressure of different cultures, different languages and even different weather to be more than they want to accept. When Mark left those he was helping, to return to Jerusalem, apparently, he didn't even want to go to Antioch from where they left - he just wanted to go home. One person may not always adapt to the pressures others willingly accept. The difference between them usually is what one knows is the will of God for them and the degree of commitment to that. An act of failure to be committed to follow another person's lead does not close the door of service and usefulness forever. Mark did regain the respect of Paul and was later asked to join Paul in the work again. In the meantime, he did what he could with Barnabas. It may be there are learning times that have to be gone through before one is able to be very effective in serving God. By keeping in touch with such people who have potential, and interceding on their behalf before God, they can be used again in the service of the Lord.
In places where the Lord leads His servants to take the Gospel, we can trust Him to open doors for the preaching of the word of God. The preaching of Paul was very similar in style and content to the preaching of Peter. That is to be expected wherever the Gospel is preached in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and according to the truth of scripture. In the synagogues there was opportunity given to Paul to speak and he immediately identified himself with the audience by his use of the words "our fathers." This is important when we seek to connect with people. They need to know we are not talking down to them but recognize ourselves as one of them. Paul knew how the Jews thought about the covenant God had made with their nation. The brief history of the nation from Abraham to David opened the subject of the last one of David's seed - Jesus. He was the One who fulfilled the royal line of kingship. There would be no more to come in the kingly line of David because the Lord Jesus will reign forever. The reference to John as the one who would announce the coming of the Messiah would have been familiar to any Jews who knew the Old Testament scriptures.
When the Gospel is preached, the facts of Jesus and His resurrection are still essential truths to be presented as proof of God's satisfaction with the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also important to use the scriptures as the basis of what we teach. This message is not something we have decided to pass on, but it is that message God has given. Paul spoke plainly of the death and resurrection of Christ, emphasizing that forgiveness of sin and justification comes through faith in "this Man." In preaching the Gospel, warnings must be given also, as to the consequences of refusing to believe the message of salvation and the Person the message is about.
An interest on the part of those who hear the Gospel, deserves an on-going effort to reach as many people as possible in that place of interest. When there are earnest inquirers, we need to take every opportunity to reach them and explain the word of God over and over. Paul had carefully and historically put the Old and New Testament teaching in order and in a spiritual context. He began his teaching where the audience was, and then brought them subject by subject to where he wanted them to be. He applied his teaching on forgiveness in a way in which the Jewish audience was familiar. He then made the supreme sacrifice of Christ plain to them so they would know forgiveness and justification by faith, is in Christ alone. The law could neither forgive nor justify. Everything about it was temporary and for the purpose of making people aware of their need of God - not religious ordinances. A warning is given again in this chapter to those who refuse to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who were awakened by the Holy Spirit followed Paul and Barnabas to hear the message of God's grace. They did not follow them to give them worship or the place of Lord. The impact of that one message affected the whole city. That doesn't happen very often but when it does it stirs the hearts of those preaching to be bold for the Lord in spite of opposition. What a blessing it was to the Gentiles when they also were included in the message of salvation by grace. Gentile nations are still being blessed by the light of the Gospel, while for the most part the Jews still choose to remain bound to their traditions. When confronted by truth, that disturbs and convicts people of sin, the response often is not only to personally reject the Gospel of Christ, but to also seek to keep others from hearing it.
The Spirit of God is still working in our day pressing on the consciences of many, and many still push that conviction away by any means possible. We are responsible to preach the word of God, not to make people accept it. People have to make their own decision as to what they are going to do with Jesus. It may be that some will be ashamed and convicted by their actions, and God will grant them again an opportunity to repent and believe the Gospel. Others who are adamantly opposed and continue in that way, will have to suffer the consequences of their own decisions. When it comes to the response to the Gospel, we have to leave that to God and the person who hears.