Thursday, January 14, 2010

division and multiplication

Acts 14:4The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 
 
It seems that whenever Paul preached in a new location there were always two clear reactions.  As Acts, Chapter 14 tells us above, some were angered by his words and some embraced them.  Some opened their hearts and believed the message he preached of salvation through Jesus and some plotted to kill them.  Paul and Barnabas got wind of a plan to harm them and they fled from Iconium to Lystra where they continued to preach and participate in miraculous healing.  The amazing thing to me is what happened next.  A "lynch mob" from Iconium hunted Paul down, stoned him and dragged him out of the city...leaving him for dead.  But...the disciples with Paul stood over him and he got to his feet and reentered the city!  But the most amazing part followed.  After continuing to preach in that area they returned to Iconium...the very town that had organized the gang that had stoned him.  The message they had for the young believers in Iconium was expressed in verse 22: "strengthening the soul of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God".
 
Paul was prepared for opposition because, even though the gospel is the best message the world has ever received...it is the worst message for God's spiritual enemy.  For all who trust in the Lord are lost to Satan for all eternity.  Paul knew that this message would divide....but that division was just the starting point for multiplication.
 
blessings,
Rob Smith

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