Bible Reading: Acts 13
Acts 13:45-46 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Multitudes came to hear the preaching of Paul and Barnabas. This made the Jews envious and they began contradicting what was being said by the apostles. There are many responses to the gospel. Sometimes people respond with anger. They hate the idea of someone dying in their place or the idea that God would actually judge man. Some respond in repentance and faith and trust in Jesus. Some respond with apathy and they really could care less.
The amazing thing about Paul and Barnabas is that they kept preaching, no matter what the response. When they found an audience that did not want to hear what they said, they moved on. When they found a receptive audience, they stayed and continued preaching and teaching. The apostles told the Jews who blasphemed that they were judging themselves unworthy of everlasting life. This is the truth of the person who rejects the gospel. People who refuse Jesus are condemning themselves. He is the only hope for salvation and when someone hears and despises the truth of Jesus, they are their own worst enemy.
When the Jews rejected the gospel, the apostles turned to the Gentiles. This was the standard procedure for Paul in his preaching. He always sought out the Jews in a city first and preached the gospel to them. Those who received Christ were saved, but unfortunately many rejected Jesus. Then Paul would turn to the Gentiles and preach the gospel to them. It was always the case that more Gentiles than Jews heard and believed.
This is a pattern for us today. Paul was obviously concerned that more Jews would not believe, but he would not quit. He just kept preaching looking for a receptive audience. He always gave them a chance to hear and he continually prayed for them. Have you become discouraged in sharing the gospel with others? Don’t quit. Keep looking for good soil and keep sowing seed. There are those who will hear and believe!
In Christ,
Rody
