"Opposite Responses to the Gospel" (Acts 13:38-52)

Acts 13:38–52 NIV

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 “ ‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” 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.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was crucified alongside two other criminals. The Bible tells us that when they reached the hill called Golgotha and all three of them began the grueling torture of crucifixion that both of these other two criminals began to mock and harass Jesus. “If you really are the Son of God, then save yourself and us.” Over the course of the next few hours, they both witnessed the noonday sun turning to darkness and felt the earth shaking as it quaked in the presence of its Maker. They both heard the words of Jesus. “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

Witnessing these supernatural event and hearing the words of Jesus were used by God to transform the heart of one of these hardened criminals. They both began the afternoon on either side of Jesus mocking him and heaping verbal abuse on him. But by the end of the afternoon, one of them had been changed. One of them had a change of heart. One of them in humility said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And to one of them one said, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Opposite responses to the Gospel. They both saw the same man. They both witnessed the same miraculous events. They both saw Jesus’ humble reaction to his own crucifixion. They both heard his words of mercy and grace. One of them was changed. One was not.

Every time the gospel is proclaimed there will be different responses to the message of good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. There are essentially only two possible responses: reception and belief or rejection and unbelief. Sometimes, rejection and unbelief is disguised in the form of interested curiosity or “we would like to hear you again on this matter.” Sometimes, the rejection and unbelief is unmasked and presented as open hostility and verbal abuse.

“There are always two responses to the gospel, just as there are only two roads down which people travel through this life and into eternity. There is the response of faith and the response of unbelief. True, there are shades of unbelief, some of which appear as though there is genuine interest, but unless there is genuine faith in Jesus Christ alone, it remains unbelief and rejection no matter how well it is dressed.” - Derek Thomas

But there are always opposite responses to the gospel message when it is preached. Some will believe; some will reject.

We see the same opposite responses to the gospel in our passage in Acts 13 this morning.

Gospel Reception

Acts 13:42–43 NIV

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.

Gospel Rejection

Acts 13:44–47 NIV

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.’”

Isaiah 49:6 NIV

6 he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Gospel Reception

Acts 13:48 NIV

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.

Acts 13:49 NIV

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.

Gospel Rejection

Acts 13:50 NIV

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.

Gospel Rejoicing

Acts 13:51–52 NIV

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.

Main Idea: The unmerited, effectual grace of God is the only reason why anyone responds positively to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without it, we are hopelessly lost in our rebellion and unbelief. This understanding of the grace of God frees us to proclaim the gospel with joy and freedom knowing that it is God who builds his church.