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"And it came to pass in Iconium that they went into the synagogue of the Jews"
(Acts 14: 1).
But note the next verse:
"But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles."
The great council of apostles and elders at Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 15:, clearly
indicates that Israel are still dominant and they maintain that position throughout the
whole period covered by the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 18: 19 records that Paul
"entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews". In Acts 28: 20 Paul states
"that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain". In that chapter he "called the
chief of the Jews together" (Acts 28: 17) but having listened to Paul's exposition of
the kingdom of God, some believed and some believed not, and "they agreed not among
themselves" (Acts 28: 23-25). Only after that, after the third pronouncement in the
N.T. of Isa. 6: 9, 10 (found in Acts 28: 26, 27) do we read:
"Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it" (Acts 28: 28).
At that time, at the end of the books of Acts, the Jewish nation was set aside. From
that time was salvation sent to the Gentiles independently of the Jews. From then on
things changed. Not only do we see a sudden decrease in the use of "Israel", "Israelite",
"Jew" and "Jewish" in those seven epistles written after this time but there is a complete
absence of the type of miracles which fill the Acts period. More than that there are three
clear testimonies to the gift of healing having ceased:
"For he (Epaphroditus) longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because ye had
heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy
on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow"
(Phil. 2: 26, 27).
"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often
infirmities" (I Tim. 5: 23).
"Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick" (II Tim. 4: 20).
In the Acts period a handkerchief or apron from Paul cured diseases (Acts 19: 12) but
all that was sent after Acts 28: 28 was good advice! In the Acts period Paul healed
all who came to him. On Malta, all who came to him were healed (Acts 28: 9). He
left none ill but after Acts 28: 28 he could not cure Trophimus and he left him at
Miletum sick. In the Acts period Paul could easily have healed Epaphroditus and if he
still possessed the gift after Acts 28: 28 there was no need for Paul to have sorrow,
but he no longer could heal. Thus, like us, Paul could but pray and wait on the Lord. In
the case of Epaphroditus he was, eventually, restored but not until he had been "sick nigh
unto death".
Thus the book of Acts is dominated by the Jews and contains an abundance of
miracles. At Acts 28: 26-28 that people as a nation before God are set on one side
and the miracles cease. Is this surprising? No! Next time we shall look at the way in
which God has dealt with the people of Israel right from the birth of the nation. We shall