Acts 18:12-17 (NIV)
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law–settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
It took a year and a half for the Jewish leaders to reach the boiling point. They had watched as the numbers in their synagogue services had dwindled, and they had heard about Paul’s followers (actually followers of Jesus) continuing to expand into every sector of the city. Finally, they had had enough!
Rather than take the law into their own hands and simply form a mob to assassinate Paul, they took hold of him and took him by force to Gallio, the proconsul. There they charged him with heresy, successfully persuading the people of the city to worship the Jewish God in ways contrary to the law of Moses.
Although those charges were true insofar as Paul was teaching the triune nature of God and teaching people to worship Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior and the Lord, much to everyone’s surprise, Gallio refused to try the case or even to hear the charges. His job was not to get involved in religious disputes or arguments, especially those involving the foreign religion of the Jews, but to deal with serious violations of Roman law, which, as far as he could see, this wasn’t. So, he told them to deal with the matter themselves.
Paul simply walked away, but the crowd was incensed. They were left with no legal remedy and no ability to punish Paul under Jewish law that would not be a crime against Roman law. In their frustration, they turned on poor Sosthenes, the current ruler of the synagogue and beat him mercilessly while Gallio looked on impassively.
Father, it was so common that when people saw others turning to Jesus in huge numbers and away from them, rather than check out the truth that was drawing them and joining in, they moved into an offensive mode, guarding their turf even to the point of violence. And it’s not that different today. In places where the Church is moving forward, it is not uncommon to see other religions or even governments go on the offense to try to take it out. As the early disciples prayed, Lord, so I pray now: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30 NIV)
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