"Acts 13:42-14:7
Filled with God’s empowering presence
From the day of Pentecost, God’s empowering presence came upon his people. In today’s passage we read that they were, once again, ‘filled … with the Holy Spirit’ (13:52). Every Christian now has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (Romans 8:9).
In this passage, we the see the impact of God’s empowering presence when people are filled with the Holy Spirit:
Effectiveness
In Antioch, crowds gathered to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:44–45). In Iconium, ‘they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed’ (14:1).
The Lord confirmed his message by enabling them to do signs and wonders (v.3). This does not mean that everyone in the church will necessarily enjoy perfect health in this life. Rather, we see an in-breaking of the future kingdom of God so that the gospel may go forth and triumph.
Opposition
In Antioch, some people ‘went wild with jealousy and tore into Paul, contradicting everything he was saying, making an ugly scene’ (13:45, MSG). ‘They stirred up persecution … and expelled them from their region’ (v.50).
In Iconium, those who refused to believe ‘worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street’ (14:2, MSG). They organised to ‘beat them up’ (v.5, MSG). We can often assume that if God is with us then we will not encounter any significant opposition. These incidents remind us that actually the opposite is often the case. Where God is at work the enemy tries to stir up opposition and difficulty.
Joy
Their happiness was not dependent on what was happening to them. They had a deep joy that came from God’s presence. As the psalmist writes, ‘Your presence is fullness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11, AMP). In the middle of all the opposition and after they had been forced to leave Antioch, they went on to the next town, Iconium, ‘brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples’ (Acts 13:52, MSG).
Boldness
The Holy Spirit gave them boldness in spite of opposition. In Antioch, ‘Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first” ’ (v.46). In Iconium, ‘Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord’ (14:3). In spite of opposition and ‘a plot afoot’ (v.5) they ‘continued to preach the good news’ (v.7).
Lord, fill me today with the Holy Spirit and with joy. Help me to speak so effectively that many will believe. Help me not to be put off by opposition, stirring or plots. Give me courage to speak boldly for the Lord. And Lord, I pray that you will confirm the message of your grace with miraculous signs and wonders."
1. Thank You that You are at work when the enemy tries to make it difficult for us. Thank You that we can source strength from You.
2. Thank You for the opportunities to travel. This is just an amazing channel to learn and enjoy this gift of life.
3. Thank You for new and fun friends we met from the trip.
