Responding to the Gospel (Acts 13:42-52)

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George Whitefield: “If you are going to walk with Jesus Christ, you are going to be opposed… In our days, to be a true Christian is really to become a scandal.”

  1. THE GOSPEL DIVIDES AS IT DEMANDS A RESPONSE
    • The people of Antioch in Pisidia are divided in their response to Paul’s message
    • Many Jews followed Paul and Barnabus, but others were jealous and contradicted the gospel message
    • Henry: “The Gentiles were as willing to hear the gospel as those rude and ill-conditioned Jews were to get out of the hearing of it”
    • The gospel divided 2000 years ago; the gospel can still divide today as a response is always required
  2. REJECTION OF THE GOSPEL IS CONDEMNING
    • They have rejected the message and have therefore condemned themselves (v.46)
    • No greater condemnation than to be labelled as “unworthy of eternal life”
    • They shake off the dust to signal their disassociation with them
  3. ACCEPTANCE OF THE GOSPEL IS LIFE GIVING
    • Salvation to the ends of the earth (v.47)
    • God appoints to eternal life with the gift of belief through His Spirit