Friday 14 December 2007

Background

Paul is given an opportunity to speak in the familiarsurroundings of a synagogue (a Jewish place of worship). This was aplace and a people he was trained to address with skill. Pauldemonstrates his Jewish heritage as a man who knows the God ofIsrael and now, the God of Jesus Christ.

With eloquence he retells the significant events and people in thestory of Israel. Rather than dismissing the dearly held beliefs ofhis audience, Paul uses them as the foundation for the gospelmessage. He convinces with his wisdom and that day, many Jewsbecame Christian. Not all however - by the end of the chapter Pauland his companion Barnabas were expelled from the region.

This passage brings great hope for those who believe that God doesnot remain confined to one story or tradition but constantlyencounters new generations in fresh and creative ways. Even thoughPaul's preaching did not change every Jewish heart that day, somewere able to see that the God who had guided them and theirancestors was the same God who now continued to change the courseof history in the life, death and resurrection of JesusChrist.

Those faithful to a traditional Church can take courage from thisstory. The way of the Lord is often in places of familiarity, whichcan be the hardest to accept change of all. Paul did not changeevery heart, but throughout his ministry, he proclaimed the goodnews of Jesus enough to make sure the gospel flourished in theJewish tradition from which it sprang.

To Ponder

What reluctance do you find in your church orcircuit to embrace new things? Where do you think this reluctancecomes from?

What can you do to encourage people to look towhat God has in mind next?