These 2 chapters records Paul’s 1st missionary journey which was in AD 47. It is also a biblical model for mission: Missionaries were identified and supported by their local church (13:1-3). They would follow major roman routes and visited urban cities in his journey. They focused on sharing the gospel, not any social work. They evangelized but also edified believers and appointed elders for them in each church (13:43; 14:14:22-23). When they returned, they gave report to the church (14:27). This method is so effectively that by the end of 1st century, there were churches in every European city.
My Sharing: Successful ministry comes with hardship. It may be the reason why Mark John went back home (13:13). Paul and Barnabas were always under opposition. In the epistles, Paul told us his hardship in detail (2 Cor 11:23-33). But would you rather be like Paul or David - “a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (13:22) ?
Comments
1. First they are very interested in the message 13:42-43.
2. Only a week later, they change their mind because of jealousy v.44-45. Remember, this is the same response from the religious leaders who put Jesus to death. This is also the beginning of the downward spiral.
3. They want to get rid of Paul v.50.
4. They attempt to kill Paul 14:5.
5. They execute their plan and stone Paul 14:19.
I think jealousy is the key of their change. When we serve in the church do we serve out of jealousy, i.e. we want to have higher attendance than all other churches around us, we want to have more praises from b/s than other preachers, or we want to have pride of our church being only 2 years old and have all the success?