Bible In A Year | Read: Acts 13
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. Acts 13:42-49
Overview of Chapter
Today marks a transition in Acts. Instead of the message of Jesus spreading because of persecution, the message spreads because of a purposeful strategy. Saul is now being sent as a missionary along with Barnabas. Saul also begins to be known as Paul. This chapter starts a pattern which will be seen in the rest of the book of Acts. Paul’s preaching always begins with Jews in the synagogue, but when there is resistance, he takes the message of Jesus to Gentiles as well. This journey begins on the Island of Cyprus and then moves to Antioch, in what we call Turkey today.
Paul probably found it easier to talk to Jews than Gentiles. They were raised with similar traditions and believed the same Old Testament teachings. We see Paul relying heavily on the Old Testament when he preached to Jews. But he doesn’t stop with his fellow Jews; he moves to those he formerly hated. Jesus isn’t just for those we naturally like; he wants us to love everyone and take his message to all of them.
Thoughts on the verses
Has God ever surprised you while you are worshiping him? It is amazing what can take place when we are worshiping God. It was certainly so for Paul and Barnabas as the Holy Spirit invaded their worship by declaring that they should be set apart for the work to which he was calling them. Their colleagues responded by fasting, praying, placing their hands on them, and sending them off.
As they traveled significant distances by land and sea, they gave themselves to the calling of ministering to the Jews who lived in the various cities where they were led by the Spirit to visit. Then came the major surprise. It was not on their agenda or in their plans. The Holy Spirit interrupted them with a new plan and a new major focus. They were now called to share the Word of God primarily with the Gentiles. The prophecy of Isaiah 49.6 was being fulfilled: “I have placed you here as a light for the Gentiles. You are to take the saving power of God to people everywhere on earth” (v 47). As a result, the Word of the Lord spread through the whole region (v 49). And now the Word of God is available to all people of all nations as it continues to spread!
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Have you ever thought it would be cool to hear some C3 leaders discuss the daily verses, share about their lives and mostly just talk about nonsense? Of course not!…even though nobody has ever thought that we are still doing it. You can follow along with us each morning in a brand new podcast – Friday’s Summer Finale.
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