Speaking Truth Despite Opposition Spread the Gospel
Daily Scripture
Acts 13:42-52
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to speak about these things again on the next Sabbath. 43 When the people in the synagogue were dismissed, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism accompanied Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to remain faithful to the message of God’s grace.
44 On the next Sabbath, almost everyone in the city gathered to hear the Lord’s word. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were overcome with jealousy. They argued against what Paul was saying by slandering him. 46 Speaking courageously, Paul and Barnabas said, “We had to speak God’s word to you first. Since you reject it and show that you are unworthy to receive eternal life, we will turn to the Gentiles. 47 This is what the Lord commanded us:
I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
so that you could bring salvation to the end of the earth.” [Isaiah 49:6]
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the Lord’s word. Everyone who was appointed for eternal life believed, 49 and the Lord’s word was broadcast throughout the entire region. 50 However, the Jews provoked the prominent women among the Gentile God-worshippers, as well as the city’s leaders. They instigated others to harass Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their district. 51 Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and went to Iconium. 52 Because of the abundant presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the disciples were overflowing with happiness.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Leading courageously does mean speaking the truth of God’s inclusive good news clearly, even if people are not willing to hear it. Paul and Barnabas modeled that in verse 46 of today’s reading. “If you turn away from this message, declares Paul to the synagogue audience, then you are declaring that you don’t see yourselves as belonging to God’s coming new age! How can you do that? This is your ancestral hope, your dream, your future–and you’re rejecting it!” *
- Tragically, many religious leaders in the faith of Paul’s early life believed God’s truth was more about excluding people who didn’t fit with their personal beliefs about who God should love than it was about God’s love for all people. Paul’s willingness to include Gentiles (from pagan cultures) made them angry (verse 45). Many Christian groups have divided over similar differences through the centuries. Why does it take courage to include all people in God’s grace?
- Acts 13:46 used a long tongue-tangler of a Greek verb (“parresiasamenoi”) to describe Paul and Barnabas. According to Strong’s Concordance and Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, “this reflects an inner assurance expressed through courageous and frank speech, a key notion tied to the early Christian use of parresia—open proclamation of the gospel despite opposition.” ** How did their courageous leadership lead to “the Lord’s word” being “broadcast throughout the entire region”?
Prayer
Loving Lord, give me the type of confidence in you that leads to courageously sharing your love and grace in any setting, personal or group, where I have the opportunity. Amen.
GPS Insights
Gwyn Thomas
Gwyn Thomas, who serves as Director of Donor Relations at Resurrection, wrote today's Insights. She is a Boston native who’s happily adjusted to Midwestern life. She loves working in ministry alongside her husband Blake, a Congregational Care Pastor at Resurrection Leawood. They enjoy life with their two children, and an unapologetically large orange cat named Tuna. When she’s not chasing toddlers, she enjoys pottery, traveling, and finding new favorite restaurants.
My faith has been shaped by courageous leaders who have boldly spoken truth from their experience of living out their faith and studying Scripture. I think about the camp counselors I had growing up, with tattoos of Scripture inked on their arms, sharing how those verses captured their sense of purpose. I remember my college pastor preaching boldly about fighting for justice and reminding us that the gospel calls us to lift up all who are impacted by hate because Jesus is the ultimate model of love. I am continually challenged by Pastor Adam at Resurrection and his reminder to live out my faith authentically, in a way that radiates hope.
All these courageous leaders (and many more) have shaped how I seek to live out my own faith. It’s a big responsibility to guide others through the many variations of thought and interpretation of the Bible while remaining centered on Jesus’ unconditional love. Yet, this is part of the calling we are invited into—to be witnesses of that love in the world.
Who has been a courageous spiritual leader for you? Was there a neighbor, friend, pastor, or family member who modeled what it looks like to live out Scripture in a transformative way? I encourage you to be bold in your faith, because you never know who might be looking to you as the courageous leader in their life.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Wright, N. T., Acts for Everyone, Part Two: Chapters 13-28 (The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 20). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
** From a search on Perplexity.ai.
