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Daily Devotions

It Is Written

It Is Written 
Day 
Day 42

"We turn to the Gentiles."

Text: Acts 13:46

MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES

The Church had not fully comprehended that the Church was not meant to be for the Jews only. The Lord raised up the Apostle Paul for a special ministry. He was destined to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.

STRONG RESISTANCE

God had set apart Barnabas and Paul to become evangelistic missionaries. They were very successful in this ministry. However, there came a time when the unbelieving Jews began to react adversely to the message of the Apostle Paul, because of his care and concern for the souls of Gentiles.

“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy;
and contradicting and blaspheming,
they opposed the things spoken by Paul.”
Acts 13:45

TURNING TO THE GENTILES

How should Barnabas and Paul respond to this new situation that had arisen? With courage drawn from the grace of God, the following declaration was made.

“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.
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.”‘”
Acts 13:46-47

1. Assessment of Barnabas and Paul

a) It was right that the Word of God should be preached to the Jews.
b) This was in accordance to the prophetic word of God.

2. Rejection of the word of God

a) This was obvious.
b) By rejecting the word of God they had counted themselves unworthy of everlasting life.

3. “We turn to the Gentiles”

a) There was authority to do this.
b) Paul and Barnabas cited the Scriptures (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6).

4. The salvation given by the Lord

a) It would be through the Lord Jesus as the Messianic Light.
b) Christ’s atoning death would be for the salvation of the ends of the earth.
c) Gentiles were specifically mentioned.
d) If they turned to faith in Christ, they would receive salvation and eternal life.