Jews Rejected God’s Word, But Gentiles Gladly Believed <Ac 13:42-52>
Introduction:
* Within two Sabbaths, disciples encountered success and persecution.
* On the first Sabbath, the people were interested in the word of God, and many accepted the grace of God.
* On the second Sabbath, the Jews were filled with jealousy and slandered the word of God.
* The jealousy of the Jews was similar to Cain’s jealousy of Abel when the latter’s offering was accepted with favor by God.
* That was a kind of spiritual jealousy, or religious jealousy.
* Because the Jews saw themselves as God’s chosen people, so they had a sense of superiority.
* The Jews rejected Christ, because they could not accept that Gentiles could also receive the same grace as them through faith.
* The Jews received all revelation of God, yet perished in the end.
* God bestowed grace to us in Christ not because we are better than others, but because we have received His mercy.
* However, in churches today, we often see Christians gradually fall into a sense of superiority after they have been long-time believers.
* After the conditions of believers have improved in all areas, the easiest trap for them to fall into is that of being occupied by a sense of superiority.
* Thus, we must ensure that we and our next generation do not become people who are near to grace yet fail to receive grace.
Read <Ac 13:42-52>
1. <v42> As they went out …
* Translation varies: “they” refers to Paul and Barnabas, or Jews?
* The people refers to both Jews and God-fearing gentile converts to Judaism, or only God-fearing gentile converts to Judaism?
* No matter what, what Paul and Barnabas spoke arouse the interest of the people and they were invited to speal next Sabbath.
2. <v43> Many followed Paul and Barnabas.
* It may not be that all believed in God, but these people were very interested in the what they preached.
* The ministry of both of them involves preaching the Word of God and enabling them to rely on the grace on God.
* Particularly, believers must know how to continue in the grace of God.
3. <v44> Almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
* <v46>: Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you … “
* <v48>: When the gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord …
* <v49>: The word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
4. <v45> The Jews reviled what Paul preached
* Because they want to satisfy their sinful desires (jealousy), these Jews cannot accept God’s grace and reject the gospel.
5. <v46> The reason the Jews were thrust aside
* The Jews thrust aside the Word of God and judge themselves unworthy of eternal life.
* This is not saying that Jews were judged to be unworthy of eternal life, and thus they reject God.
6. <v47> Paul’s application of <Isaiah 49:6>
* How do we apply this verse today?
7. <v48> Reason why gentiles received grace
* This is not saying that gentiles believed and therefore was predestined; but they were predestined so they believed.
* Ultimate goal of salvation is for us to give all glory to God.
* Therefore we cannot use human’s method to elicit a person’s response.
* All we can do is to preach the gospel clearly, let God convict the person He has predestined to save.
8. <v49> When there are people who truly believe in the Word of God, the Word will be spread throughout the region.
9. <v50> Jews used the influential people to persecute the apostles.
* Why would devout women of high standing persecute the servant of God?
* Many devout people may not really know the truth.
* Therefore, we cannot place the importance of truth below godliness.
10. <v51> But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
11. <v52> Life testimonies of servants of God who truly obey God