The Pilgrim Path---Acts 13: 42 – 52 

As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the LORD. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the LORD has commanded us, saying,

“I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the LORD, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the LORD was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

SABBATH SERMON / Antioch in Pisidia---Part Two

The people urged Paul and Barnabas to keep showing up and speaking the good news of Jesus Christ. Well, as the Truth is shared---the devil stirs up the religious jealously of the unconverted Jews. They might have been content for the Gentiles to become circumcised Law-keepers---but Paul was proclaiming justification and forgiveness of sins by faith in Jesus Christ alone. This message was zealously contradicted by the leaders of the Jews. Paul let it be known that the Covenant People were meant to be a “light” to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49: 6). He tells them that if they insisted upon “rejecting” eternal life---they would be bypassed, while the Truth went to the Gentiles. Those non-Jews in attendance rejoiced to hear such a declaration: they were part of God’s purpose in redemption as well!

Dr. Luke records an instructive note in the text (inspired by the Spirit of course). Look at verse 48, “…as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” The doctrine of predestination / election is really consoling and comforting. It enables missionaries to go to the ends of the earth, knowing full well that the LORD Jesus Christ has people that “belong” to Him in every tribe and nation. Faith comes by hearing---and hearing by the Word of God. We share the Truth of the Word of God in love and clarity---and the Holy Spirit brings it home to those chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world. We sow the seed. We may water the seed of the Word of God that someone else has sown. We may help someone “close” with the Savior by leading them to a decided faith in Him. We never know where someone may be on the “Spiritual birth-line.” The truth of the matter is those appointed to eternal life---will believe! Paul’s point to some aggressively antagonistic Jews in Antioch of Pisidia was: “if you want to judge yourself unworthy of eternal life---we will move on to the Gentiles.” The LORD is sovereign in salvation---and man is responsible for the truth he hears. Quite a few Gospel hearers make a mockery---or minimize Gospel opportunity. This is a tragedy! Hear the LORD Jesus Christ in John 17: 1, 2:

When Jesus has spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.”

The LORD Jesus Christ will give eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him. The Apostle Paul tells us we were “chosen” in Jesus before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1). This is not troubling---this is reassuring. We do not ask people if they are “one” of the elect---before we witness to them. We ask them if they know they have offended the Holy God of heaven? Do they realize that they are moral rebels? Do they believe that Jesus Christ is the pure Son of God---who died in the place of sinners---and then was resurrected from the dead to show His sacrifice was accepted by the Father? Have they seen His blood can wash the foulest clean? Will they turn form “their” path to His---confess their transgressions and call Him Master?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 6: 23

Will they receive God’s gracious GIFT by trusting in Jesus alone for eternal life? He will turn NO ONE away who comes to Him in faith believing. Thanks be to God!

From J. I. Packer: Meditate on John 6 and 10, where our LORD himself enunciates the truth of predestination (6: 37 – 39, 44- 45; 10: 14 – 16, 27 – 29). A doctrine which the LORD Jesus himself expresses should not be taken lightly by us, especially when the very heart of it is that the Father through his plan of predestinating grace is securing a people for the Son, thus furthering the glory of the Son, which is his final purpose. The glory of Jesus Christ as Savior is directly bound up with this doctrine of predestinating grace.

From J. Mack Stiles: When I have led people to Christ over the years, it has usually been because a non-Christian was willing to study the Scriptures with me. Perhaps it was a group of students looking into the Gospel of Mark at a camp or conference. It could have been a couple in a coffee shop or just one person during a lunch break. No matter where or whom, the process is simple: we read the passage and talk about what it means. Over time, in ones and twos, people come to Jesus because they are taught the Gospel. Such teaching may not be as exciting as a massive revival, but if every Christian did this with non-Christian friends, it would have a far greater reach and authenticity…Make it a discipline to pray regularly for those who don’t know Christ to come to him. Pray in church services, in small groups, in gatherings in homes, at special events, and as part of your devotional time. I have a friend who says he tries to pray prayers like those the Puritans prayed, prayers “God would blush not to answer.” Let the people around you know that the salvation of the lost is on your heart before God.

From John Duncan: The LORD has not revealed the names of the elect saved, but he has revealed the name of the elect Savior.

HYMN

Why was I made to hear your voice, and enter while there’s room,

When thousands make a wretched choice, and rather starve than come?

‘Twas the same love that spread the feast that sweetly drew us in;

Else we had still refused to taste, and perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, O our God, constrain the earth to come;

Send your victorious Word abroad, and bring the strangers home.

We long to see your churches full, that all the chosen race

May, with one voice and heart and soul, sing your redeeming grace.

Isaac Watts, 1707

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason