Acts 13:42-52
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath nearly all the city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.
46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I have appointed You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
50 But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Pisidian Antioch (8)
Response to the sermon (1)
“As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these things spoken to them the next Sabbath.” (1) Let’s summarize the sermon Paul gave in the synagogue: (a) Jesus is the promised Messiah. (b) God raised Jesus from the dead. (c) Through Jesus, all sins are forgiven. (d) Do not rebel against God as the ancestors and the leaders in Jerusalem did. (2) Paul’s sermon caused a significant reaction, which is described in this passage. (a) “As Paul and Barnabas were going out” suggests that Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue before the meeting formally concluded. (b) “The people” refers to those who were in attendance, who asked them to preach the same message again the following week. (3) The KJV translation of Acts 13:42 is considered inaccurate. (a) The manuscript underlying the KJV (The Textus Receptus) inserts the phrase “the Gentiles.” (b) This translation gives the impression that from the beginning, the Jews rejected the gospel while the Gentiles accepted it. “Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.” (1) Even after the meeting, many people continued to follow Paul and Barnabas. Those who followed them were likely people who had believed in the gospel. (a) There were Jews who believed in the gospel. (b) There were “God-fearing proselytes,” which is a unique term. Typically, it refers to either God-fearing Gentiles or Gentile converts. The phrase “God-fearing proselytes” combines both of these descriptions. (2) Paul and Barnabas spoke with them. This was a follow-up ministry. (a) They “urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (b) Those familiar with Judaism had a habitual tendency to seek righteousness through the Law. (c) They understood that salvation is given by faith and grace. (d) They realized that they are saved by faith, not by Judaism or the Law. (e) Therefore, it is necessary for them to remain in God’s grace. Paul and Barnabas’ encouragement was indeed very appropriate. We, too, need that same encouragement. If we stray from God’s grace, we inevitably fall into a legalistic Christian life. Having been saved by grace, we must continue to remain in that grace.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I have been saved by faith and grace. Therefore, I will walk this Christian life also by faith and grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.