Acts Message 31

The Gospel can cause division

Acts 13:42–49 NKJV

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

The last time, Paul and Barnabas were preaching at the synagogue Antioch at Pisidia.

Elab On what happened that day. Paul spoke of the history, the prophecy of Israel and how it was all about the gospel. Then they would have a choose either to believe what they had heard, or the reject the truth.

Last verse from the last message in Acts. VS. 41

Into: When the gospel is the preached (proclaimed) with power and conviction, the results can be dividing. The gospel confronts the sinner with their sin, and judgment. Then there is the grace of God in Jesus Christ. This confrontation will expose guilt and shame of sin, the doom of your sin. It also offers salvation by grace.

The division is to except the gospel or reject the gospel. Often those that reject also bring rejecting with a hostile response.

1. Peter’s sermon led to hostility that led to persecution of the Apostles.

2. Stephen’s message led to hostility which led to his stoning.

It can cause a major difference between those who receive it and those who reject it.

The Gospel was the greatest and most long-awaited news to come to the Jews; their Messiah had come. However for many the very hope of Israel did not arouse their faith and love, but their angry.

In today scripture will see the response of those that heard the gospel at Antioch.

I. The outcome of the gospel message. VS.42-44

Acts 13:42–44 NKJV

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

1. Impression VS. 42

a. When the gospel is preached some will get something out of it so want.

b. The Gentiles got something out of it.

Begged.

a. It’s the Gentiles saying, We want to hear more about this Jesus, salvation, but were willing to wait until the next week.

1. It seems some didn’t want to want until week. VS. 43

a. Jews and “proselytes” “A convert to Judaism”

b. The word persuaded: Means, convince, have confidence. Elab

c. Grace of God. One many of the word grace, here is gift. (They didn’t have to work for it)

2. They didn’t want to wait until the next Sabbath they want to hear more about the grace of God now.

a. In VS. 44 we see “next Sabbath”

b. This doesn’t mean that Paul and Barnabas waited until then to share any more about the gospel. Elab

3. Delay on the part of a person who needs salvation can be dangerous.

a. I know I need to get saved, but I wait.

4. Many of the Jews and Gentiles that followed Paul and Barnabas believed by responding to the gospel.

a. They responded and wanted to know more. When we witness to people, they may not except it

right away, but may respond by wanting to hear more. Elab.

The opposition to the gospel message. VS. 44-45

Acts 13:44–45 NKJV

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

VS. 44

1. It had most likely been a busy week for Paul and Barnabas. Elab.

a. The word of what Paul had preached at the synagogue the week before, and what had gone on during that week. Elab

b. Now a large crowd came together to the synagogue to hear the word of God. Elab.

Acts 13:45 NKJV

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.

1. “But” when the Jews see all these people at the synagogue. They are filled with envy.

a. Envy: means: to boil. They were hot.

2. Why?

a. The Synagogue was filled with Gentiles, they had never seen such crowds.

b. It was a different message than they normally heard.

c. Paul was teaching that through Messiah (Jesus) God accepted the Gentiles on an equal basis as Jews.

3.VS 45b “Contradicting and blaspheming”

a. Contradicting, indicates they were continually speaking against Paul’s message, attempting to refute him.

b. Blaspheming: The Jews were rejecting their only hope for salvation, by rejecting the message of the gospel.

4. Here is a large crowd of Jews, angry Jews, burning hot.

a. Paul and Barnabas could have backed down, but they stood strong.

The opportunity and open door from the gospel message. VS. 46-49

Acts 13:46–49 (NKJV)

46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

VS. 46

Bold: To be frank in utterance.

Spoke Confident in spirit and demeanor.

c. To speak boldly.

Go back to 13:9

VS. 46b

“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; “

1. The Jews did not want tot hear the gospel, now the gospel could go directly to the gentiles.

a. If the Jews would have accepted the gospel, they might have taken the gospel to the Gentiles themselves, but they wanted no part of it.

VS. 46c

“but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

a. Since you rejected it.

2. “And judge yourselves unworthy”

a. By their conduct they had condemned themselves.

John 3:17 NKJV

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:18 NKJV

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

b. Paul had saw them as being worthy to share the gospel. The forgiveness of sins, eternal life.

c. But since they rejected the gospel, they demonstrated that they were really unworthy (unsuitable) of everlasting life.

d. They brought this verdict on themselves by their own choice.

f. Elab People who reject the gospel.

3. “So we turn to the Gentiles”

VS. 47

Acts 13:47 NKJV

47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

1. Israel was to have the honor of evangelizing the Gentiles, but as a result of their refusal to receive the gospel light that prevented them from being the light-bearers to the Gentiles.

a. It should have been the Jews that were the ones to spare the Gospel through out the world. But the rejected it, and the Gentiles became the ones that spare the gospel.

b. Today we have the opportunity to share the gospel. But there is more sparing of a false gospel then the truth.

1. Even though the Jews rejected the gospel. It must have been encouraging to Paul and Barnabas that the Gentiles excepted it.

VS 48

Acts 13:48 NKJV

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

a. “they were glad” Full of cheer. Joy

b. “Ordained” To enroll, to inscribe.

VS. 49

Acts 13:49 NKJV

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

1. The gospel spread. Not only by Paul and Barnabas but by the Gentiles that had received Christ.

a. The door was open for them, and for many others through out the land.

Grace of God;

Accept

Reject