GOD HAS MADE US A LIGHT
Acts 13:42-52
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.’” (47)
chapter 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.
50. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.
52. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. After Paul and Barnabas preached in the synagogue, many Gentiles were deeply moved and begged them to return the next Sabbath to speak more. By the next week, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of God. The success of Paul’s ministry made the Jews jealous. So, they began to debate with Paul, contradicting what he taught. They also heaped abuse on him. Their willingness to accept the gospel was part of God’s plan to bring salvation to all.
2. God used the opposition of the Jews to bring the good news to the Gentiles. When they were rejected by the Jews, Paul and Barnabas told the Jews they had to go to them first, but since they didn’t listen, they would take the gospel to the Gentiles instead. The Gentiles rejoiced at this news, and many came to believe, and the gospel spread all through the region. But this success also brought more opposition, and influential Jewish leaders incited persecution against Paul and Barnabas and ended up driving them out of the area. Despite this, Paul and Barnabas left full of joy and the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, Jesus is our true light. May Jesus help us to be a light to others by shining through us.
One Word: God has called us to be lights TESTIMONY