Shifting into High Gear

Week Four - Day 6

Today's Reading -- Acts 14:8 to Acts 16:40

Paul is towards the end of his first missionary journey when he goes to Lystra.  Up until now, everywhere he has gone has had a community of Jews to whom he has spoken, usually preaching in their synagogues, although he has attracted the interest of quite a few Gentiles.  Lystra is different, however, as it is a thoroughly Gentile community.  Paul speaks to the crowds most probably out in the open, and appeals to them not through the Hebrew Scriptures or traditions, but through concepts that they understand from their pagan culture, such as the worship of multiple gods and the idea of a creator god.  Paul's preaching points them towards something new, and he and Barnabas do it so effectively that the inhabitants of Lystra presume that Barnabas is their pagan god Zeus, and Paul is Hermes. Their welcome in the city is interrupted by opposing Jews who stir up the crowds against Paul and Barnabas, who then meet the first real test of their meddle as they are stoned by the crowd and left for dead.  The attack is not fatal, however, and they are taken out of harms way by other disciples and eventual make their way back to Antioch in Syria where their journey first started.

The preaching to the Gentiles continued to be a source of controversy, one that had first been dealt with  several years earlier by Peter before the apostles in Jerusalem (11:1-18).  It is now because of Paul's missionary work that the issue has once again come before the elders of the church (15:1-5).  Peter reminds everyone of his early contact with the Gentiles, and then the testimony of Paul and Barnabas sealed the deal.  The acceptance of the Gentiles receives official approval, with several conditions laid down by James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, that are rooted in the commandments that Moses had taught regarding accepting "strangers among the Jews" (see Leviticus 17:8, 10-13; and 18:26).  James' creative interpretation and application of scripture to changing circumstances should be a lesson for us even today.

The way is clear for Paul to launch into his second missionary journey unrestrained by any notion as to whom he may preach the gospel and welcome as a follower of Jesus Christ.  This does not mean the road will not be rough, as Paul will endure further opposition, floggings, imprisonment and insults to his rights of citizenship.  Although he may be slowed down from time to time, but he will not be deterred.