Acts 13:44-14:28 The Gospel goes to the Gentiles

The Jews at Antioch became jealous because of the crowds coming to listen to Paul and Barnabas.  Paul had devoted himself to preaching exclusively to the Jews of Jesus, but when they rejected him and his message, he shifted focus to the Gentiles.

This raises the question of to whom do I take the gospel?  Is it to those who will listen and receive, or do we focus on those who reject the message?  Our focus has to be on both, but our emphasis probably on those who are responding to the message.

The 2 reasons given for Paul and Barnabas' turning to the Gentiles were:

* Because the Jews reject it and do not consider themselves worthy of eternal life.
* Because God has commanded that they become a light for the Gentiles to take salvation to the ends of the earth.

As a result the gospel is taken to a wider number of people in a more geographically spread region, and the persecution against Paul and Barnabas continues.

14:1-7  3 main stages of the work:

Paul & Barnabas go into the Jewish synagogue & speak effectively.
Jews & Gentiles believe.
Persecution & opposition.

14:8-12
The cripple is healed.

He was lame from birth & had never walked.
He listened to Paul & had faith to be healed.
Paul saw his faith and called out to heal him.
He is immediately healed.
The people respond assuming that Paul & Barnabas are gods.

14:15-17  5 Elemental truths about God

He is living
He made heaven, earth and sea and everything in them
In the past, He let all nations go their own way
He has not left Himself without testimony
He has shown kindness by giving rain & crops, He provides with plenty of food and fills their hearts with joy.

His application from these truths is that they must turn from worthless things to the living God.

14:19-25

Despite opposition, Paul & Barnabas return to the cities where churches have been founded to strengthen them.  By even appearing, this must have been an encouragement to the churches.  We must look for ways in which we can encourage others, even if it is at personal cost and risk.

Paul & Barnabas report to the church that had sent them out (cf 13:1-3 & 14:26-28) - this is a reminder of good practice, in reporting to those from whom we have been commissioned.  Their emphasis is on all that God has done through them, showing how He has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.  Our reporting should be similar.