Lesson 4656

 (Lesson 4656)(11-02-24) Acts 13:43-52 

   “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. 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. 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. 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. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.” 

 

    Today’s lesson relates that, after Paul and Barnabas shared the gospel in the synagogue, many Jews and devout converts urge them to speak further. The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathers to hear the word of God, but some Jewish leaders, filled with jealousy, opposed Paul. In response, Paul and Barnabas boldly declared that, since the Jewish leaders rejected the message, they would turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling God’s command to be "a light to the Gentiles." Many Gentiles rejoiced and believed, and the word spread widely. However, opposition stirs up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who ultimately shake the dust off their feet and move on to Iconium, leaving the new believers filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. ~