For the Jew 1st, then the Gentile

Chapter 13

v.3 - if you've ever seen a commissioning service for someone (or a group of people) going on a mission trip where people pray for them and lay hands on them, this is where we get that. It's also interesting to note (A) that the Church had now spread and was so established that a church in Antioch (500 miles away from the Jerusalem church) was sending out a missionary team of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark; and (B) that the goal of the missionary trip was to bring the Gospel to Gentiles and Jews (not just Jews). Up until now, Gentiles had become Christ followers, but it was not the norm. This missionary team is headed for Cyprus, an island that no doubt had Jews living there, but was not seen as a "Jewish" place. I'm amazed by all this because of how quickly things are happening. It takes years to establish and get a church plant off the ground here in DFW - and that's with tons of strategy and way more resources than these guys had. I think we're missing something.

v.5 & v. 14 - Jews get the first shot - the pattern is to show up in a town, preach to the Jews in the synagogue first (usually get rejected/persecuted/kicked out), and then find a more receptive Gentile audience. But why this pattern? I don't know, but it's clear from verse 46 and Romans 1:16 that this is the way God wanted them to roll. Again, God's sovereignty.

v.9 - this is the first time Saul/Paul is referred to as Paul. This is also the first time we see Paul really bold in the faith (he jacks up a false prophet/magician/sorcerer) and God performs a miracle through him (blinding that dude). These things validated him as leader in the Christian movement. I also think Barnabas probably sat back with a sense of excitement and joy that this guy who he had gone to bat for with the Jerusalem church was now bringin it for Christ in a powerful way.

v.47 - crazy talk - Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 (I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.) to the Jews who are all up in arms because everyone in the city is listening to Paul & Barnabas. The idea that the Jews would bring salvation to Gentiles was crazy talk to them. Paul had to keep explaining this idea (an idea that was not unheard of, it just didn't get much play) to a group of people who thought Messiah was limited to the Jews. On a side note, this applies to us as well - see Matthew 5:14-16. The Jews probably adopted the "you know where to find us if you want some of this" attitude towards Gentiles. In other words, they weren't going to go out and invite people to follow God with them. If a Gentile wanted to convert to Judaism, okay, but it would all be on the Gentiles shoulders to make the move. I feel like today's church is changing on this, but we still battle almost daily with this same attitude: "you know where our church is and if you come, we'll be nice to you. However, we're not going to inconvenience ourselves to go after you." As I said, I'm glad to see that this is changing, but we're behind the curve on this. I just don't think God wants His Church to be reactionary, but to be active and go pursue it's mission.