Acts 13:32-52 We bring you
good news of the promise made to the fathers,
that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he
raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son.
Today I have become your father.'
"Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption, he has spoken thus: 'I will give you the holy and sure
blessings of David.'
Therefore he says also in another psalm, 'You will not allow your Holy
One to see decay.'
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of
God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.
But he whom God raised up saw no decay.
Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is
proclaimed to you remission of sins,
and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from
which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the
prophets:
'Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in
your days, A work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to
you.'"
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that
these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to
continue in the grace of God.
The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear
the word of God.
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy,
and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, "It was necessary
that God's word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from
you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the
Gentiles.
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, 'I have set you as a light
for the Gentiles, That you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the
earth.'"
As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of
God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
The Lord's word was spread abroad throughout all the region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief
men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and
threw them out of their borders.
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to
Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.
Insight- The Jews at Antioch in Pisidia were jealous that Paul and
Barnabas were preaching the word even to the gentiles, so they contradicted him
and blasphemed. Paul took a decision saying that if the Jews were opposing
them, he would now preach to the Gentiles. The Gentiles when they heard this,
they were glad, and glorified the word of God and many believed in Jesus
Christ. This angered the Jews and they stirred up a persecution against Paul
and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. In the midst of these
trials, the disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.
Question- Do you experience the joy of the Lord amidst your trials?
Prayer- Dear Father in heaven, fill me with heavenly joy and peace
that comes from your divine presence even in the midst of trials. In Jesus
name. Amen.
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