Acts 13:49-52 :

The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.

I have noticed that the truth spreads quickly but there are those who don’t like the truth and try to stop it from spreading, even if it requires extreme measures.

The truth about the Gospel of Jesus Christ was naturally spreading “throughout all the region,” while, at the same time, “the Jews stirred up” leaders enough to have them evicted from the whole city. This is what happens when two worldviews collide. These days, many more worldviews than just two are colliding and many of them attack Christianity even though Christianity does not attack them. In fact Christianity is simply the truth and by openly saying this, Christians oppose other worldviews.

Notice that Paul and Barnabas didn’t plead with the city to please change their minds. They recognized when it was time to shake “the dust of their feet against them.” Remember what Jesus said in Luke?

Luke 9:5 :

As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

This wasn’t a passive act, but it was not violent one either. It did show that they were not willing to avoid the truth to be accepted. It also showed that they were obedient to the word of God.

I get the picture that those who opposed Paul and Barnabas were in torment even after kicking them out of the city. We read that the joy of the disciples was not diminished, however. That is a wonderful thing about having the Holy Spirit live within us. Nothing can ever take God away from our hearts no matter what happens around us.