Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 13
40 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said,
41 ‘Look, you mockers,
be amazed and die!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn’t believe
even if someone told you about it.’”
42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week. 43 Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God.
Paul Turns to the Gentiles
44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
40 Be careful! Don’t let the prophets’ words apply to you. For they said,
41 ‘Look, you mockers,
be amazed and die!
For I am doing something in your own day,
something you wouldn’t believe
even if someone told you about it.’”
42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them to speak about these things again the next week. 43 Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God.
Paul Turns to the Gentiles
44 The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. 45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
Commentary:
13:42–52 Paul Turns to the Gentiles. Although the response at the synagogue was favorable, with Paul being asked to preach again, the Jews turned against him the next Sabbath when a large group of Gentiles showed up. Paul responded by turning to the Gentiles, a pattern he would continue in every city he visited: beginning with the Jews, then turning to the Gentiles when opposition forced him from the synagogue.
13:43 converts. The Greek (prosēlytos) is sometimes translated “proselyte.”
13:44 Since the population of Antioch was mainly Gentile, almost the whole city indicates that the majority who showed up were Gentiles.
13:43 converts. The Greek (prosēlytos) is sometimes translated “proselyte.”
13:44 Since the population of Antioch was mainly Gentile, almost the whole city indicates that the majority who showed up were Gentiles.
Questions:
- When Paul was done preaching at the synagogue that day, there were three different responses to the Gospel. Some wanted to hear more. Some believed immediately and were saved. But some were jealous and rejected the Word of the Lord. The bottom line is, preaching the Gospel produces radical results. There is no middle ground with Jesus. Think about people in your life that need Jesus. Have you been faithful to share with them? To live out the Gospel in front of them? Which of the three categories are they in? Are they open? Or do they outright reject Jesus? Evaluate where they are, pray for them today, and ask God how to proceed with them.
- One thing that is clear in Scripture, as well as today, is that the self-righteous ALWAYS reject God. We usually think of a self-righteous person as a religious person that thinks they are better than other Christians because of all their good deeds. But there is another, non-religious type of self-righteousness that says, "There's nothing wrong with me. God made me exactly how He wanted me, and I don't need to change. My ways aren't sinful, so I have no need for a savior." We can all slip into a religious self-righteousness if we aren't careful. But we can also be deceived by our culture to think we are the center of our own universe. How can you know if you are falling for one of these two lies from the enemy? How can you protect yourself from it?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be faithful to share Jesus.
- That you wouldn't slide into self-righteousness.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
5. Why do I follow Jesus? I follow Jesus because Jesus rose from the dead proving that He is the way, the truth and the life.
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
(Matthew 7:24-27; John 14:6)
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