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Acts 13:16 "So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: 'Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.'"

 

These are Paul's first words and actions in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. Paul and his companions had just recently arrived, and went to the synagogue on the sabbath. After the readings, the rulers of the synagogue invited them to speak if they had "any word of exhortation for the people". (Acts 13:15). What follows from Paul is a brief but convincing tracing of the history of the Jews leading up to the promised Messiah and a clear description of how Jesus Christ, who had been killed and rose from the dead, is that Messiah. (Acts 13:17-41).

 

I wonder how Paul motioned with his hand. Was it to silence the crowd? Or was it to show everyone present they were to be included in what was he was about to say? I kind of think it was an inclusive gesture, since the synagogue was filled with not only Jews, but also with Gentiles who "feared God" as Paul indicated in his opening words ("Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.")

 

Paul's speech following this exhortation will be so successful that "almost the whole city" will gather the next sabbath to hear more (Acts 13:44), and the Jewish leaders will become jealous and contradict what Paul is saying. (Acts 13:45). Paul will then proclaim that, while it was necessary to speak to the Jews first, God had revealed to him that he was to be "a light for the Gentiles" (Acts13:46-47). The Gentiles were then "glad and glorified the word of God". (Acts 13:48).

 

This makes me think that, while the Gentiles were welcome in the synagogue, they were not really thought of as equals to the Jews. They probably felt lesser somehow, but kept coming back to hear the word of God, which was speaking to their hearts. With a single hand gesture from Paul, and invitation to listen, they probably felt included in a way they had not felt before. They certainly did by the time Paul revealed that he had been sent specifically to the Gentiles!

 

Paul did not have to go out of his way to make a big deal about the Gentiles being included. He also did not have to make the Jews feel in the wrong, at least not at first. He did not have to institute "DEI training" for the Jews, and elevate the Gentiles to some kind of special stature. He just motioned with his hand, and it became clear that his words were for all who would listen. No one group was better than the other; no one group's history defined whether or not they could receive the Good News, nor made them more worthy of it. Paul's opening hand gesture and exhortation to all present to listen were all that were needed to bring people in without setting them against each other.

 

God sees us all as equally loved children. We would do well to remember that when trying to include those currently outside His family. They do not want nor need special treatment, just equal treatment, just inclusion for the sake of their humanity, not for the sake of contrived diversity or equity. Those will follow naturally once all are included equally.