Acts 13:14-52 The Divine and The Human Side of Evangelism

Paul and Barnabas traveled to Antioch in Pisidia and first made contact with Jews in the local synagogue.  Being asked to speak, Paul first reviewed Jewish history up through the ministry of John the Baptist.  "He made it clear that it was God who was at work in and for Israel, preparing the way for the coming of the promised Messiah.  He also reminded his hearers that the nation had not always been faithful to the Lord and the covenant, but had often rebelled...He explained to them why their leaders in Jerusalem rejected and crucified the nation's Messiah.  It was not because they had not read or heard the message of the prophets, but because they did not understand it ... It was the resurrection of Jesus Christ that was the crucial event:  'But God raised Him from the dead' ".  Psalm 2:7 is quoted, as was Isaiah 55:3 and Psalm 16:10 which should have led them to seek faith in Christ because of what their own Scriptures said.  Many Jews and Gentile proselytes believed.  The presence of many Gentiles likely made the Jews envious and angry, though, my commentary said.

One thing I particularly liked was verses 48 & 49, which my commentary said "gives us the divine side of evangelism (v. 48), for God has His elect people and indicates that God's people have their names written in God's book.  But v. 49 is the human side of evangelism:  if we do not preach the Word, then nobody can believe and be saved.  It takes both." 

Father, thank You for including us as a part of Your salvation.  Help us to never miss an opportunity You present to us! 

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford