And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:49-52

This spot in Acts marks a turning point in which the gospel began to be more than a Jewish sect. As persecution at the hands of Jewish people outside of Israel increased, the gospel went forth in the Gentile world.

Verse 51 brings up a difficult question, When those proclaiming the gospel are persecuted, should they continue or move on? Notice that Paul and Barnabas “shook the dust from their feet against them {their persecutors]” and went to another place. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:14-15.

14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Jesus instructed His disciples to move on when encountering persecution for proclaiming the gospel. Jesus even spoke of God’s severe judgment on those who not only reject the gospel, but abuse His messengers.

So here is a question for Christians today: When persecuted for proclaiming the gospel, are we to stop proclaiming the gospel to our persecutors? We might question missionary efforts into Muslim countries where persecution is rife. Should we stop trying to evangelize in these places?

Some argue that Jesus’ words in Matthew 10 were for the disciples in Jesus’ day regarding persecution from the Jews. Paul and Barnabas seem to have been following Jesus’ words since persecution was coming from religious Jews.

Before considering this question a little more next time, let us be reminded of the next words from Jesus’ mouth in Matthew 10:16:

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

From these words I am persuaded that the Church must exercise wisdom, since there is no absolute one-size-fits-all answer.