OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: HARASSMENT AT ICONIUM

In his examination of Acts, BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what happened when the apostles visited Iconium…

So that was how it came about that they went together to the Jewish synagogue at Iconium, and from what they said a great number believed, Jews as well as Greeks. But the Jews who refused to believe incited the Gentiles, poisoning their outlook against these brothers. So, they had to stay for some time, speaking boldly for the Lord who, for His part, confirmed His word of grace, granting signs and wonders by their hands. But a deep division emerged in the population of that city – some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. But, hearing that a plan had been hatched, with [compliance from] the city authorities, to harass and have them stoned, they hot-footed it out of there, fleeing to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, continuing to preach the Gospel as they went in the surrounding region – Acts 14: 1-7/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne

MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Despite opposition, Bruce C Wearne, says “the Gospel seed was broadcast further afield.” PICTURE: M Nota/www.freeimages.com

IN A NUTSHELL
Continued opposition and jealousy from those of Jesus’ own earthly nation meant Paul and Barnabas had to stay for some time to preserve the planting of the new church. They became marked men but the Holy Spirit assisted their flight from town to town.

There is a repeated pattern in Luke’s description of the spread of the Good News. At first, the message of Paul and Barnabas could be heard in local synagogues. These were places, like the Court of the Gentiles in the temple at Jerusalem, where Gentiles were welcomed. Jews, circumcised converts (proselytes), God-fearers and others came to hear the Law and the Prophets. These places were high on the agenda of Paul and Barnabas whenever they came to a Gentile city.

When Paul and Barnabas addressed synagogues at Pisidian Antioch and Iconium, some Jews believed. But as time went on, resistance and opposition grew. Jews, from elsewhere, made jealous by this proclamation of Good News, arrived to warn against this teaching. There were threats made against Paul and Barnabas. There was jealous politicking among the powerful and a conspiracy was hatched. The law of God had been ignored by those wanting to protect their Jewish ways.

But despite the increased danger, Barnabas and Paul continued to teach until finally they had to flee for their lives. And so the Gospel seed was broadcast further afield.

When Luke identifies “the Jews” he was not picking a fight, nor was he being racist. As a Gentile he accepted that Rabbi Jesus had brought salvation for the whole world. He knew his readers knew that Jesus was a Jew. And Luke’s story here is about two Jews who proclaimed the fulfilment of their religion. He tells us that this story is about what Jesus continued to do and teach after ascending to God’s right hand. That is why he distinguishes between Jews who believed and Jews who preferred to wait for another messiah. Those believing in Jesus were duty bound to tell their fellow Jews the Good News. It was basic. The message has to be told. The coming of God’s Messiah is decisive for all nations.

Luke tells us what Peter, Stephen and Paul proclaimed to Jewish audiences. The accounts follow a similar pattern. In synagogue worship, Paul proclaimed Christ in conventional liturgy. How did Gentile believers hear the message? What did it mean for them when they accepted it? The church in Iconium began in the midst of deep civic stress about what Paul had said in the synagogue. At Lystra, however, the proclamation of the Gospel took place in a different setting.