15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.”
Paul and his companions are traveling. They stop in the town of Pisidian Antioch. This town controlled the main trade route through this region and was a very important Roman city. It was a very wealth city as a result of Rome’s presence, which included a large contingency of soldiers. They arrive at the town and begin their missionary work in the Synagogue. What amazes me is that during their first visit they are recognized as visitors and given the opportunity to address the gathered congregation, both Jews and Gentiles. Can you imagine giving a visitor the microphone in your church and asking them to address the whole congregation? That could turn south in a very short time period. All sorts of wackos would travel around just to be able to stand in the pulpit and talk us to death. But that is exactly what the leaders of the synagogue did. They gave them center stage and asked them to speak a word of encouragement to the gathered congregation. Perhaps Paul was dressed like a Rabbi. Perhaps as they were reading the Law and the Prophets Paul was mouthing every word and the leaders was this. I don’t know the exact reason for the invitation, but I do know that the message Paul brings to these people serves as a pivotal turn in book of Acts and the mission of Paul to the Gentiles. These leaders somehow trusted Paul to get up and expound the Scriptures and encourage the people. Paul’s word to this congregation seems to split them. The Jews seemed to reject the message, while the Gentiles seemed to respond positively. The Gentiles were greatly encouraged by what Paul had to say. I can bet that these leaders thought twice about allowing someone unknown to them address their gathering in the future.
The Arnold Journey 