Lesson Twenty-Six: Response to the Gospel

Supplementary Materials

Forgiveness of Sins Through Jesus (13:38-39) "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." This is the application of Paul's sermon — the "therefore" that flows from everything he has proven: Phrase Meaning "Through this man" Through Jesus — the one Paul has been preaching about "Forgiveness of sins" Remission, release from guilt; sins are sent away "All that believe" Faith is required — but "believe" includes obedience (cf. v. 43, 48) "Justified" Declared righteous; acquitted; treated as if innocent "From all things" Complete justification — no sin excepted "Could not be justified by the The Law revealed sin but could not remove it (cf. Heb. 10:1-4) law of Moses"

What the Law of Moses Could Not Do Paul's statement that they "could not be justified by the law of Moses" was significant to his Jewish audience: What the Law DID What the Law COULD NOT DO Revealed God's standard of righteousness Make anyone perfectly righteous Defined sin (Rom. 7:7) Remove sin Brought knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20) Provide a permanent solution for sin Provided temporary covering through animal Take away sins (Heb. 10:4) sacrifice Pointed forward to Christ (Gal. 3:24) Provide complete justification

Key Point: Jesus provides what the Law could not — complete forgiveness and full justification. This is the heart of the gospel!

Paul's Warning (13:40-41) "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." Paul quotes Habakkuk 1:5 as a warning:

• Original context: Habakkuk warned that God would use Babylon to punish Judah — something they wouldn't believe
• Paul's application: God is doing another incredible work — salvation through a crucified and risen Messiah
• The danger: "Despisers" who reject will "wonder, and perish"
• The urgency: Don't dismiss what God is doing just because it seems unbelievable!

The Response to Paul's Sermon (13:42-45)

Note the Pattern: Initial positive response → Growing interest → Jewish opposition. This pattern will repeat throughout Paul's missionary journeys.

Turning to the Gentiles (13:46-47) "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." Paul's response to Jewish rejection:

Scriptural Justification (13:47) "For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6, originally about the Servant of the Lord (the Messiah). Paul applies it to his own mission because:

• Christ is the light to the Gentiles
• Paul, as Christ's messenger, carries that light to the nations
• God always intended the gospel to reach "the ends of the earth" (cf. Acts 1:8)

The Gentile Response (13:48-49) "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region." The Gentile response was enthusiastic:

• "They were glad" — Joy at hearing they could receive salvation
• "Glorified the word of the Lord" — Honored and praised God's message
• "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed" — See note below
• "The word... was published throughout all the region" — The gospel spread rapidly

"Ordained to Eternal Life" (13:48) This phrase has been misunderstood to support unconditional predestination. However: The Greek Word (tasso) The Meaning Means "to arrange, dispose, appoint, set in Those who were disposed toward eternal life order" — who wanted it — believed Can describe one's own disposition Contrast with Jews who "judged themselves unworthy" (v. 46) Not the same word as "predestined" This is about their attitude, not God's (proorizo) arbitrary choice

Glenn's Note: "In 13:48, 'ordained' means disposed, or inclined. We would probably say, 'Those who wanted eternal life believed.'" The Gentiles were open and receptive; the Jews (as a group) were closed and rejecting.

Opposition and Departure (13:50-52)

the city" — used social influence to persecute Paul and Barnabas 13:50 "Expelled them out of their coasts" — driven from the region 13:51 "They shook off the dust of their feet against them" — symbolic act of judgment (cf. Matt. 10:14; Luke 9:5) 13:51 "Came unto Iconium" — moved on to the next city (about 90 miles east) 13:52 "The disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost" — the new believers flourished despite persecution!

Key Observation: The chapter ends not with the persecutors but with the disciples — filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Persecution could not extinguish the faith that had been planted!

Results of Paul's Sermon at Pisidian Antioch

• Many Jews and proselytes believed (13:43)
• Almost the whole city gathered to hear (13:44)
• Jewish opposition arose (13:45)
• Paul and Barnabas turned to Gentiles (13:46)
• Gentiles gladly received the gospel (13:48)
• The word spread throughout the region (13:49)
• Paul and Barnabas were expelled (13:50)
• A church was established, filled with joy (13:52)

Key Cross-References

Lessons from Acts 13:38-52 1. Forgiveness comes through Jesus — what the Law could not provide, Christ does. 2. Rejection is a choice — those who reject the gospel judge themselves unworthy. 3. The gospel is for all — when some reject, God's word goes to those who will receive. 4. Opposition cannot stop the gospel — the word spread despite persecution. 5. Joy survives persecution — the disciples were filled with joy even as Paul left. 6. Those disposed toward eternal life will believe — attitude determines response.