stephen R Harrison

JOY 365: Day 29

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. – Acts 13:52

I had a conference call with a pastor from the Czech Republic today. It was encouraging to hear all God was doing through their network of about 20 churches across the region. They will soon celebrate 20 years of ministry in what is now an almost atheistic region. A few hundred years prior, the 15^th-century theologian and martyr Jan Hus led the way to reformation and revival in this region. His opposition to the Catholic church’s practices caused him much grief. He was excommunicated several times until he refused to recant and was then burned at the stake on July 6, 1415, and thrown into the Rhine River. Those who adhered to his beliefs, such as justification by faith and Scripture as the ultimate authority, were heavily persecuted. Their perseverance led to the Moravian revival 300 years later!  

The Apostle Paul faced such persecution. Acts 13 tells us that he and Barnabas once preached Jesus in Pisidian Antioch (modern day Turkey) and “almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord” (44). The word of the Lord spread through the whole region (49). Many Gentiles were glad to hear it and came to the faith (48). Amazing! But opposition arose, and they kicked them out of the city (50). What was the response of Paul and Barnabas? Verse 52 says, “They were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit”. It seems counterintuitive. How could they rejoice in persecution? Many were saved! While they and many others like Jan Hus faced persecution, the gospel effectively and eternally changed many! It continues through that pastor today.

Why do we need to be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit to carry on the work of the gospel?