4/6/10 Act 13
Continually Filled with Joy
Acts 13 recounts for us the first missionary journey that Barnabas and Paul took. They visited many towns during this journey, but the bulk of Acts 13 describes what took place in the town of Pisidian Antioch. This is not to be confused with the Antioch mentioned in the last chapter and in the first verse of this chapter. Pisidian Antioch was a town in what today would be Turkey. The other Antioch was in Syrian and it was considered the first Gentile church.
Paul and Barnabas go to the synagogue when they get to Pisidian Antioch and after the readings the synagogue officials gave them opportunity to speak. Paul took the opportunity to teach all who were present about Jesus. He begins with the Israel nation in Egypt and then proceeds right up to King David and then he introduces Jesus. Many of these people both Jews and Gentile proselytes to Judaism may not have heard of Jesus or at the very least had a cloudy account of the events that surrounded his life, rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection. Paul gives tells them clearly that it is in Jesus that there is forgiveness of sins. Those present desired for Paul and Barnabas to return next Sabbath and teach these things again.
The next Sabbath most of the city had turned out to hear Paul and Barnabas speak the word of the Lord. The crowd that had gathered was probably predominately Gentile and this made the Jews jealous and they began contradicting the things spoken by Paul and Barnabas. Their response was that they were first to proclaim it to the Jews and if they rejected the message then they were to turn to the Gentiles.
When the Gentiles heard this they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord and many believed. The Jews were really upset by now and some Jewish leading women and men started persecuting Paul and Barnabas to cause them to leave. Paul and Barnabas do leave and go to Iconium, but they are not the least bit concerned because many in Pisidian Antioch had believed and they would not be able to get rid of all that had come to Jesus.
Upon first reading I thought the final verse spoke of Paul and Barnabas who were continually filled with joy, but as I considered the language I think that the word disciples is referring to the Gentiles and some of the Jews who believed. Although Paul and Barnabas move on, these disciples stayed in their town and became the witness of the Lord Jesus being continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Remember when you first believed. Remember the sin debt that was forgiven on your account. What joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit who took up residence upon confession and repentance of your sins. Think about how you had been freed from the guilt, shame, and sin and what replaced that guilt and shame, joy. I encourage you to never lose the joy that is yours when you walk in such a way to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the joy that is mine knowing that I have been forgiven of my sins, because of Jesus sacrifice. I ask that my heart continually be focused upon you and that I will walk in the Spirit receiving the joy that is a result of being in your presence, in Jesus name. Amen.