Links for today’s readings:
Jul 3 Read: Isaiah 32 Listen: (2:46) Read: Acts 19 Listen: (5:47)
Links for this weekend’s readings:
Jul 4 Read: Isaiah 33 Listen: (3:45) Read: Acts 20 Listen: (5:22)
Jul 5 Read: Isaiah 34 Listen: (2:59) Read: Acts 21 Listen: (5:55)
Scripture Focus: Acts 19.8-20
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
Reflection: Friendly and Unfriendly Fields
By John Tillman
Paul took his time in Ephesus. He started in the synagogue, then spoke at a local public space, the hall of Tyrannus. Paul repeated this evangelistic strategy in many cities.
Churches and synagogues today typically have one person speak and everyone else listens. But that doesn’t seem to have been the case in the recorded experiences of Paul and Jesus at New Testament period synagogues.
Synagogues were public spaces where those who worshiped Yahweh gathered. In some places this meant both Jews and “Greeks,” most probably Gentiles (Acts 13.16; 14.1; 17.17). The scriptures would be read, sometimes by a selected visitor, such as when Jesus was asked to read at Capernaum (Luke 4.16-21). Then comment and discussion seem to have been typical, such as when Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13.15) Debates and arguments at synagogues could be intense and occasionally violent. Both Jesus and Paul experienced synagogue crowds attempting to kill them (Luke 4.28-30; Acts 14.1-7, 19-20). Being roasted on Twitter or social media seems mild by comparison.
We don’t know exactly what worship or teaching at synagogues was like. However, New Testament synagogues seem to have been spaces of debate, conversation, and dialogue, in addition to exercising some levels of community/civil authority.
Synagogues were part of Paul’s evangelism strategy. They should have been (and sometimes were) friendly ground. They shared a common language and culture and were predisposed to believe in a Messiah sent by God. Paul just had to convince them that Jesus was that Messiah. But Paul never stopped sharing the gospel just because the ground became unfriendly.
Some Greeks opposed Paul for financial reasons, such as the idol-manufacturing guilds of Ephesus. Some Jews opposed Paul for theological reasons, calling him a blasphemer or heretic. Yet, Paul never became ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1.16) or held back from sharing it in any place he could find an audience.
We have the same responsibility Paul did. We must take the gospel to both friendly and unfriendly audiences. Like Paul, start with those closest to you, with whom you share many common things. Then move to less friendly fields.
The anticipation of opposition should not deter us. The gospel has robust logic, moral reasoning, and explicatory power that can stand the scrutiny of the public square. But do not rely on your own wisdom, but on the power of the Holy Spirit. Even though some will sneer, those with ears will hear.
Resource: Listen to/watch this episode of The Biblical Mind podcast for a deep dive into what scholars know about New Testament era synagogues.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. — Psalm 99.9
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Dethrone the Fool
This chapter in Isaiah is a glimmer of hope. Wicked leaders who oppress the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable will be unmasked.
Read more: The Gospel Crosses Boundaries and Brings Joy
What boundaries are around you? Race? Culture? Political alignment?…Let the Holy Spirit carry you over boundaries to spread the gospel and bring joy.
