Observation: Paul has been preaching about Jesus in the synagogue of Ephesus for three months. Many believe, yet others don't, and some in this latter group speak against Christ. In response, Paul stops speaking in the synagogue, establishes his own church meetings, and over the next two years many, many people - it says everyone in Asia Minor - hears the gospel.
Paul made a decision, which was that the resistance to the gospel within the synagogue had reached the point where it was no longer worthwhile to speak there. He had reached many, but others were digging in with their resistance, and Paul chose to withdraw rather than continue in debate. This was clearly the right decision, as it resulted in a strong church being established, and in a great reach of the gospel across modern Turkey. So how did Paul know it was time to take this action?
One possible answer is that the opponents were speaking not just against Jesus, but against the very concept of Messiah. The NIV says these people "became obstinate; refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way". This doesn't sound like a rejection of Jesus, but rather a rejection of the idea of any savior ... of the Christ ... and of the resulting faith of the believers. The discussion therefore is not about whether or not Jesus is Messiah, but resistance to the entire concept of faith in any Messiah.
Application: Our church does so much for the sake of reaching our community and effecting evangelism, but I have often thought about ... when is the right time to withdraw and not engage with a person or group? There is an answer here from Paul. He didn't withdraw when others questioned his message, but rather when they outright rejected the foundational concept that salvation - especially salvation through faith in God's promises - was even possible.
Where does that leave us today? The implications for a church that exists in a place where many people actively reject the existence of God are ... important. Certainly there is the obligation to provide the correct facts about the Lord, his promises, and the fulfillment of those promises through Jesus. But there are those who have heard all that yet "become obstinate" in their rejection of even the base principles. Perhaps this is a context where we - as mere human messengers - can no longer affect a person's heart without the Holy Spirit's intercession.
Paul didn't stop speaking. In fact, he continued for two years, creating a great church with a massively broad reach! It is very likely those obstinate rejecters continued to hear about Jesus, and perhaps re-engaged once their hearts were softened. However, Paul did change from direct evangelism to a more passive form of strengthening believers' understanding. There is a time for both.
Prayer: Lord, I ask for your strength as I look to engage others, inviting them to Alpha, but also just demonstrating your love in the world. We are in a place of active rejection of you and your love. May we all find ways to introduce Jesus to the world within this context, in a manner that loves others. Amen.
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