Bible study: The task of Christians is to share the gospel

God’s message cannot be chained or held hostage.”

Many Christians experience fear and nervousness about sharing the good news of Jesus. A number of Christians are afraid, and others feel ignorant and do not know what to say. Sadly, many professing followers of Christ are apathetic about the gospel. Many believers live within a Christian bubble and know few or no nonbelievers. Believers, however, should be ready to share the gospel with anyone who will listen.

Mixed Responses (42–45)

Paul began his ministry in the synagogue, which was made up of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. Paul and his companions worshipped at the synagogue in Antioch on the Sabbath. At the conclusion of the service, the people — not the synagogue leadership — invited Paul and Barnabas to speak again at the following Sabbath worship service.

The next Sabbath, the whole town assembled to hear the Word of the Lord. Perhaps the Gentile residents of Antioch thought that Paul was a philosopher or rhetorician. Paul’s missions strategy was to the Jew first then also to the Greek.

The Jewish leadership was jealous and began to contradict Paul and insult the apostle while he spoke. Perhaps Paul drew a larger attendance than the local synagogue teachers.

Attacking the messenger is the methodology of people who do not know how to defeat the arguments of the individual they oppose. The spiritual truth is that synagogue leaders rejected the message of the gospel and thereby judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. What responses or barriers have you experienced when you shared the good news of Jesus with an unbeliever?

Gentile Believers (46–48)

Paul and Barnabas responded with boldness rather than timidity. The Greek term translated “boldness” in our English translations has the connotation of confidence, openness, fearlessness and courage.

The Jewish leaders of the synagogue in Antioch should have known that the plan God revealed in the Old Testament involved the inclusion of the Gentiles within the people of God. Isaiah the prophet had proclaimed, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations to be my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isa. 49:6).

God always expected His people to share His message. What barriers might we need to overcome to engage with others about the gospel? A partial list of barriers God’s people need to overcome is personal fear, misunderstanding of the gospel, an uncaring attitude, busyness, responsibilities and lacking relationships with unbelievers. The Gentiles rejoiced at the message that communicated a light for the Gentiles and the message of salvation (Acts 13:47-48). God commands the message to be communicated “to the ends of the earth.” What role can Christians individually or you personally play in helping the gospel spread?

Spread of the Gospel (49-52)

God’s message cannot be chained or held hostage. The Jewish leaders incited leading men — perhaps including government officials in the city — and “God-fearing women” against Paul and Barnabas.

Religious people persecuted Christians using the movers and shakers of their community as their voices. The people of influence opposed the gospel proclaimed by Barnabas and Paul and expelled them from the district. In response to the treatment they received in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas moved on to Iconium.

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