Acts 13

Summary. In this chapter,the Lord sends His servants, the apostles Paul and Barnabas, to begin their mission work of spreading the good news to both Jews and Gentiles. Acts 13:1-5. Apostle Paul and Barnabas are sent out for work. The Lord God Almighty had specific places and persons for work. The church in Antioch acted in faith and humbleness toward the Lord. They prayed and fasted, laid their hands on the apostle Paul and Barnabas, and sent them out for ministry work by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:6-12. Apostle Paul and Barnabas minister on the island to the proconsul and the people. The Lord God Almighty sent His apostle to go into the dark place to show them the true light of the Lord. By the miracle work of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul confronted a magician controlled by the dark who had a great influence on the people and the proconsul of the area. By the mercy of the Lord, this place saw the light shining into darkness, and the people and the proconsul believed in the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:13-43. Apostle Paul and those with him minister to those in Antioch of Pisidia. The workers of the Lord, guided by the Holy Spirit, reach Antioch of Pisidia, where they spread the good news in the synagogue. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul presents a brief history of God’s plan in choosing them as His children, from which the Lord Jesus would be born as a Man and bring salvation to them and the world. In his discourse, Paul outlined three main points: 1) The Lord God Almighty chose their forefathers to be His people, making them His children as well. Out of mercy for His children, God gave them the land as an inheritance for them to dwell in. 2) God’s plan to save the entire world will be fulfilled according to His promise to His faithful servant, King David. The beloved Son of God would come into the world through this lineage; the Savior of the world, the Son of God, has been born to fulfill the Father’s promise. 3) The children of God, whose hearts were darkened by jealousy, condemned the beloved Son of God to death on the cross, aided by outsiders. However, the Son of God cannot die, and the miracle of resurrection took place. Death has no power over Him because He is God Almighty, and death cannot hold Him. The One whom the Lord God Almighty raised, the Lord Jesus, is the only One who will never experience corruption. Forgiveness of sins and justification from all wrongdoing can be obtained only through the Lord Jesus; the law of Moses cannot achieve what faith in the Lord Jesus can. Acts 13:44-52. Apostle Paul and the other disciples minister to the Gentiles, but the Jews stir up persecution against them. The children of the Lord, filled with jealousy, began to contradict the message spoken by the apostle Paul. The Lord guided His servants to proclaim the good news to the Gentiles, but the Jews stirred up a persecution against them. However, the plan of the Lord in saving humans does not stop at one place.
1 Now there were in Antioch, being there, in the church, prophets and teachers, also, Barnabas, and Symeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Comments Acts 13:1 “Now there were in Antioch, being there ...” The Lord God Almighty always sets up places for worship in many, many regions. Also, here, He has set up the place of worship.
“Also, Barnabas, and Symeon ...” In this place, the Lord God Almighty also brought His workers who would bring benefit to people in this area. The Lord God Almighty knows the hearts of people and brings the right workers who will help and guide the people. In this place, the guidance He provided was not only for the heart to believe but also for the way of life as well.
2 And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
Comments Acts 13:2 “And as they ministered to the Lord ...” The disciples acted out of faith, showing humbleness to the Lord, both in their actions and hearts, as the verse tells us; pay attention to what they did and what happened afterwards.
“Set apart to Me Barnabas and Saul ...” When believers humble themselves, the Lord God Almighty reveals to them the purpose of what He wants them to do. Those whom the Lord God Almighty has chosen, have been told at this time. The work of the Lord God Almighty toward people has been shown at this time.
3 Then, having fasted, and having prayed, and having laid the hands on them, they sent them off.
Comments Acts 13:3 Give attention that the laying of hands on a person has special meaning: the person, the hand had laid on, had received blessings and guidance, and the Lord God Almighty dwells on that person to guide the person for work, and gives protection to keep them safe.
4 They, indeed, therefore, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; then from there, they sailed to Cyprus.
Comments Acts 13:4 The Lord God Almighty has specific places and persons for work. These disciples, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, went to the places they had been directed. The work of spreading the good news will not be easy, but with the guidance of the Lord God Almighty, they will succeed.
5 And having come at Salamis, they declared the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as a helper.
Comments Acts 13:5 “And having come at Salamis ...” The place where the Lord God Almighty’s children gathered together to worship was the place the Lord God Almighty sent His disciples to speak and tell the good news.
“And they had also John as a helper.” Also, in this place, the Lord God Almighty worked with this faithful servant to help. The work was not difficult, but problems with people arose, and a helping hand would have made the job succeed.
6 And having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a man, a certain magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus,
Comments Acts 13:6 In this area, the dark had occupied the minds of humans, and the Lord God Almighty wanted to help all of them. The Lord God Almighty sent His apostle to go into the dark place to show them the true light of the Lord. With the great mercy of the Lord God Almighty, the light shone through the darkness in this area.
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He, having called to him Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God.
Comments Acts 13:7 “Who was with the proconsul ...” The man, who possessed intelligence but did not know how to utilize it, instead, with the dark influence, used that gift to help control the people in a dark way.
“He, having called to him Barnabas and Saul ...” The leader, with a gentle heart toward the Lord God Almighty, wanted to know more about the true light and inquired about having a meeting with the apostle. Pay attention to what the verse tells us: the person wanted to know more about the Lord God Almighty, and the mercy of the Lord has poured into his heart.
8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to prevent the proconsul from the faith.
Comments Acts 13:8 “But Elymas the magician ...” The dark knows very well who is on the Lord’s side, and used the intelligence of the man in trying to persuade and to stop the work of the Lord being fulfilled.
“Seeking to prevent the proconsul from the faith.” The dark tries hard to turn people away from seeking the Lord, and when the dark notices that someone wants to seek the Lord God Almighty, they will use every way to deter the person.
9 Then Saul, also called Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, having looked intently upon him,
Comments Acts 13:9 The apostle, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently, and with that ability, he could see through, and could see the dark that occupied the mind of the person. The Lord God Almighty gave this ability to His apostle, so that by the look, the apostle could tell who had a dark covering over the mind.
10 said, O full of all deceit and all fraud, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord?
Comments Acts 13:10 “O full of all deceit and all fraud ...” Pay attention to what the verse tells you all; the Lord God Almighty clearly tells people who this person was. The Lord sees and hears, and in this place, the heart of this person was full with an evil mind and did not have good intentions toward anyone who heard them speak here. The magician had told lies to people by using their intelligence and tried to confuse them, and the verse clearly reveals what this magician had within themselves.
“Will you not cease to pervert ...” The evil mind, with the intelligence of humans, tried to persuade people to turn away from the Lord. The Lord had sent His apostle to point out that this person was working against Him; pay attention to what the Lord’s warning is here.
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately fell upon him mist and darkness, and going about he was seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Comments Acts 13:11 “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you ...” Let all readers pay attention to the result of a person who wanted to deter people’s faith in the Lord. The punishment doesn’t need to wait for the next life, but it is now at this time for this magician. The Lord God Almighty created humans, and to punish humans by making them become incomplete persons, the punishment could be severe; however, the mercy of the Lord is still extended to all humans. This punishment here was a warning for this magician to turn away from the dark.
“And immediately fell upon him mist and darkness ...” The Lord sent the mist to cover the eyes, but did not gouge out the eyes. The magician had claimed to have power himself, but now, he walked with blindness and begged people for help; all readers, pay attention.
12 Then the proconsul, having seen what had happened, he believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Comments Acts 13:12 “Then the proconsul, having seen ...” When the unbelievers saw all the miracles, it stirred their hearts; in their hearts, it also stirred up the curiosity about the Lord God Almighty.
“Being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” The way of the Lord’s teaching is different from what they know, and this makes their heart and mind ask questions and want to know more.
13 Now Paul with those around him, having sailed from Paphos, came to Perga of Pamphylia; however, John having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem.
Comments Acts 13:13 When the apostle started the journey, some would find themselves having other things to do and would depart as well. As this verse tells us, one of the Lord’s servants separated himself to do something else, but that does not mean that this servant lost faith; rather, he felt in his heart that the Lord was calling him to something else.
14 Now they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia, and having gone into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbaths, they sat down.
Comments Acts 13:14 “Now they, passing through from Perga ...” The workers of the Lord travelled on the path that had been guided for them. This traveling was in the plan of the Lord God Almighty for the work.
“And having gone into the synagogue ...” Pay attention to what the verse tells all the people. This group of people came to worship the Lord; in their hearts, they wanted to seek attention not from humans, but the attention for help from the Lord God Almighty. The place of worship is the place where the Lord will speak to them.
15 Then after the reading of the law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, Men, brothers, if there be, in anyone of you, a word of exhortation to the people, speak.
Comments Acts 13:15 “Then after the reading of the law and the Prophets ...” These people claimed, themselves, to know all; they have the law and the word to tell from the Lord what they should do, but these people study but never meditate on the true meaning of the word itself.
“Men, brothers, if there be, in anyone of you ...” After reading, the rulers sought advice not from the word itself from the people who listened there, but with the expectation that someone would come up with an idea on how to take the next step; however, they, themselves, did not seek advice from the Lord.
16 Then Paul, having risen up, and having made a sign with the hand, he said, Men, Israelites, and those fearing God, listen.
Comments Acts 13:16 The apostle of the Lord God Almighty had received the order and direction on where and how to lead the people; in this sojourn, the Lord God Almighty will be with them all the way.
17 The God of this people, of Israel, chose our fathers, and exalted the people in the sojourn, in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm, led them out of it.
Comments Acts 13:17 “The God of this people, of Israel, chose our fathers.” The children of God know in their hearts that the Lord God Almighty chose their forefathers to be His people, and because of that, they themselves become the Lord’s children as well.
“And exalted the people in the sojourn ...” To take the children of God out of slavery, the Lord God Almighty had performed many miracles, in taking them out of slavery, and set them free, and He also led them out to where He had the land to be their own to stay.
18 And of about, the time of forty years, He suffered their manners in the wilderness.
Comments Acts 13:18 The children of the Lord needed time to adjust their behavior, with hardship, but during that time, the Lord God Almighty also strengthened their faith toward Him, and that will be the foundation for their faith in the future.
19 And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them as an inheritance the land,
Comments Acts 13:19 “And having destroyed seven nations ...” In the time that the Lord guided His children to walk the right way, He also had made a promise to them that they would become a nation and have their own place to stay.
“He gave them as an inheritance the land.” With love and mercy of the Lord God Almighty, He had given them the land, not only for them to stay, but also for their children to be there as well.
20 for about four hundred and fifty years; and after these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
Comments Acts 13:20 “For about four hundred and fifty years.” The Lord God Almighty, with His mercy for His children, gave them the land as an inheritance for them to stay; but also, the length of time was impacted, because of their own actions in betraying whom they should worship. The Lord’s children turned away and took their hearts from worshiping the Lord. With unfaithful hearts, when they saw the nations around them worshiping something, they believed that those things had more power than their own God. This length of time is the time for them to realize that when they return back to the Lord God Almighty and worship Him, they will receive the same favor as their forefathers have received, and will be able to keep the inheritance for their children for generations after.
“And after these things He gave ...” When the length of time was closed to being fulfilled, the children of the Lord turned their hearts back and worshiped the Lord God Almighty again, and at that time, the Lord God Almighty showed mercy to them again by sending His workers to guide them with many warnings, and teachings, reminding them that they must be faithful to the Lord God Almighty in order to gain their own inheritance, and keep it to the end of the age.
21 And afterward, they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years.
Comments Acts 13:21 “And afterward, they asked for a king.” The Lord God Almighty’s children never learned their own lesson. Instead of worshiping the Lord as their King, they wanted a human king to rule over them, like the nations around them that had a king to rule them. When they asked, the Lord God Almighty gave them what their hearts desired.
“And God gave to them Saul ...” The king that they had, ruled over them for a certain time and during that time the children of the Lord had learned the hardship and understood the difference between a human king and the Lord God Almighty be as a King for them, but they have chosen the human king, and their own children will face the difficult time, because of this human king they wanted.
22 And having removed him, He raised up David as their king; to whom also He said, testifying: I have found David of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.
Comments Acts 13:22 “And having removed him, he raised up David ...” As the verse tells us, let all readers pay attention: the Lord God Almighty had His plan and person in place for the work. After He removed the unfaithful heart ruler from His people, the Lord God Almighty called out the man whom He would use to do His will in saving humans.
“I have found David of Jesse ...” The human that the Lord God Almighty considered as a man after His own heart, being a human, still committed sin as well, but the soul of his heart never departed from faith; his heart stayed firm in faith in the Lord God Almighty.
23 Of the seed of this one, God, according to promise, has brought unto Israel the Savior, Jesus;
Comments Acts 13:23 “Of the seed of this one, God, according to promise.” The man who was pleasing to the Lord God Almighty will be the one whose name will remind all humans that if your soul remains true and faithful to the Lord God Almighty, the blessing you receive is not only on this earth, but the Lord God Almighty will use your whole family to be a blessing for humans as well.
“Has brought unto Israel the Savior, Jesus.” The plan of God the Father will be fulfilled according to His promise to His faithful servant. The beloved Son of God will have the human body come through this line of His faithful servant; the Savior of the world will come to be born to fulfill the promise of the Father.
24 John having proclaimed before the appearance of His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Comments Acts 13:24 “John having proclaimed ...” The messenger of the Lord God Almighty had the duty to proclaim the coming of the beloved Son of God. This is an important duty and needs a humble heart to proclaim His coming. The person without a humble heart will not want to proclaim that someone greater than themselves is coming.
“The baptism of repentance ...” The messenger of the Lord also proclaimed for people to come and repent, but in order to receive forgiveness, His people must humble themselves and repent.
25 And while John was fulfilling the course, he said, Whom me you suppose to be, I am not. But behold, He comes after me, of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandal of the feet.
Comments Acts 13:25 “And while John was fulfilling his course ...” The messenger of the Lord tells all the Lord’s people the truth according to what they think who he is. The messenger never lifted himself up to be more than what he is.
“But behold, He comes after me ...” Let all readers pay attention to what the messenger said. He tells all people that the Savior of the world is coming, and he himself is not worthy even to untie His sandal. With a truly humble heart, he accepts being below, and even for the lowest position job, he considers himself unworthy to have.
26 Men, brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those among you fearing God, to us this message of the salvation has been sent.
Comments Acts 13:26 “Men, brothers, children of the family ...” Give attention, all believers, to what the verse is telling us; by being the Lord’s children, you must have hearts full with fear and worship the Lord God Almighty.
“To us this message of the salvation has been sent.” The message of salvation from the Lord has been sent out not only at that time, but to every age until the end. The Lord has mercy for all humans and recorded this message in the Bible for all to read and meditate.
27 For those dwelling in Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing Him and the voices of the prophets that are being read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him.
Comments Acts 13:27 “For those dwelling in Jerusalem ...” The generation of the deaf hearing the Word of the Lord God Almighty: the Lord has mercy on His children and all humans, and has dictated the Word to be put down in the Holy Bible. Let all humans meditate on the Holy Word and be saved.
“Fulfilled them by condemning Him.” The hearts darkened with jealousy had condemned the beloved Son of God to death on the cross; the evil used the human minds to stir people to fulfil their work.
28 And having found no cause of death, they begged Pilate to put Him to death.
Comments Acts 13:28 “And having found no cause of death.” The evil minds tried to find guilt in the beloved Son of God in all directions, but they could not find anything to condemn Him of guilt.
“They begged Pilate to put Him to death.” The evil minds used the human way of begging to get what they wanted. The evil ruler had authority to do as he pleased, but humans with dark influence were begging and using many reasons to get what they wanted in order to stop the work of God. The evil thought that the death of the beloved Son in the human body will stop the work of God.
29 Then when they had accomplished all that had been written about Him, having taken Him down from the wood, they put Him in a tomb.
Comments Acts 13:29 “Then when they had accomplished ...” The evil plan had come to an end; with the death of the beloved Son of God, the evil work was accomplished, and now they must take Him down from the wood to bury the body.
“Having taken Him down from the wood ...” With the death of human body, the evil will put Him in the tomb; the evil never know the power and the plan of God, and believed that by putting the body of the beloved Son of God in a tomb, the dark believed that the Lord God Almighty has limit power and won’t be able to show any power from the tomb; they believe the end of the beloved Son of God had come and the tomb will keep Him away from all power.
30 But God raised Him from the dead,
Comments Acts 13:30 The miracle had happened; the Lord God Almighty had let all humans know that His beloved Son of God cannot die. Death has no power over Him because He is God Almighty, and death cannot hold Him.
31 who appeared for many days to those having come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people.
Comments Acts 13:31 “Who appeared for many days to those ...” Give attention that the spirit cannot stay and appear to people, but this appearing of the Lord Jesus is in the physical body, which the eyes can see and touch. The miracle of being alive in His physical body had been shown to people in this place.
“Who are now His witnesses to the people.” The miracle did happen, and many witnesses have seen it. This is not a storyteller, but the real thing; many witnesses have also served as proof for the people.
32 And we proclaim good news to you of the promise made to the fathers,
Comments Acts 13:32 “And we proclaim good news to you.” The Lord God Almighty proclaimed to all His children what had happened.
“Of the promise.” The Lord God Almighty promised salvation to His people and all humans, the coming of the Savior of the world, the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ.
“Made to the fathers.” The children of the Lord have all been told that the Savior is coming; the Savior will come among them to guide them to salvation.
33 that God has fulfilled this to us, the children, having raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou are My Son, today I have begotten Thee.
Comments Acts 13:33 “That God has fulfilled this to us, the children, having raised up Jesus.” God the Father gave promise to His children, and all humans, that He will raise up His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, from death, because the death has no right to hold Him.
“As also it is written in the second psalm ...” The Lord God Almighty has told all humans that the beloved Son of God will be born as human, to save the world, and this became His promise, which will be fulfilled, regardless of what happens in the world.
34 Then also He raised Him out from the dead, no more to be destined to return to corruption, thus He spoke: I will give to You the holy sure blessings of David.
Comments Acts 13:34 “Then also He raised Him out from the dead ...” The Lord God Almighty raised up His beloved Son because He is One in Him; then part of Him cannot see or face any corruption.
“Thus He spoke: I will give to you ...” It had been told to all humans what the man of God had been blessed with, and that blessing, also part of the beloved Son, is extended to the faithful servant, which will also remain in Him forever.
35 Because He also says in another, Thou will not allow Thy Holy One to see corruption.
Comments Acts 13:35 The Lord God Almighty and the beloved Son of God are One, and neither part can face corruption. Every human faces corruption, but in this place, the body of the Holy Son cannot face corruption.
36 For David, indeed, having served in his own generation the purpose of God, fell asleep, and was added to his fathers, and saw corruption.
Comments Acts 13:36 “For David, indeed, having served ...” The man after God’s own heart was a common man; after death, his body had seen corruption.
“And saw corruption.” Many people expected that David would be raised to life. Because of the blessing he had received from the Lord God Almighty, people had made a story that he would not truly face corruption, but that the Lord God Almighty would take his body out and up to be with Him, without the body being rotten in the ground.
37 However, the One God raised up saw no corruption.
Comments Acts 13:37 “However, the One God raised up.” As the verse tells, the One that the Lord God Almighty raised up, the Lord Jesus, is the only One who will never face corruption.
“Saw no corruption.” When the verse says, “saw no corruption,” it also tells all humans that His body will transform instantly from the inside out to be the Holy Body and never see the true corruption of the human body.
38 Then, be it known to you, men, brothers, that through this One is proclaimed to you forgiveness of sins,
Comments Acts 13:38 “Then, be it known to you, men, brothers, that through this One.” Let all humans keep in their heart whom you should look upon to: the beloved Son of God is the only One that every heart and soul should follow and worship in order to be pleasing to the Lord God Most High.
“Is proclaimed to you forgiveness of sins.” The Lord God Most High has mercy for all humans, but the sinful nature of humans prevents them from approaching Him. However, only through the beloved Son, Jesus Christ, do all humans now have a chance to receive the mercy and forgiveness of their sins.
39 and in Him everyone that believes is justified from all things, from which you were not able to be justified in the law of Moses.
Comments Acts 13:39 “And in Him everyone that believes is justified.” To be pleasing to the Lord God Most High is only by believing in the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ; believing in Him brings faith to glorify the Lord God Most High, and that makes that soul have worth in itself to receive mercy.
“From all things.” Name, person, actions, nothing will be counted without faith in His Son; the faith and trust in Him will bring a pleasing aroma for that soul.
“From which you were not able to be ...” The old law had been given by the Lord God Most High and had ended when the beloved Son came down to be born as a human, the Lamb of God, who came down and was waiting to be sacrificed for the atonement of sins.
40 Behold therefore, lest come upon you that which has been spoken in the prophets:
Comments Acts 13:40 What the Lord God Almighty has said will happen, whether in the past or the future, because, for the Lord God Almighty, time has no past or future, it is always now.
41 Behold, scoffers, and wonder, and vanish; For I work a work in your days, A work which you will not believe, even if one declares it to you.
Comments Acts 13:41 “Behold, scoffers, and wonder, and vanish.” Give attention to how many types of humans have been mentioned in this place. All these types of humans have heard and have been told; the Lord God Almighty had declared to all humans, to every kind and level of humans, to know about the work He is doing.
“For I work a work in your days ...” The work has been told, the eyes have seen, the ears have heard; but the rebellious hearts cannot accept the truth.
42 And having departed, they besought that these words to be spoken to them on the next Sabbath.
Comments Acts 13:42 After the faithful servants of the Lord God Almighty talked with the people, it made their hearts open, and they wanted to know more about the Lord God Almighty, and requested the Lord’s servants to come back to talk with them more, because in their hearts they have been drawn to hear more about the mighty work of the Lord.
43 Then the synagogue having broken up, many of the Jews and of the worshiping converts followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Comments Acts 13:43 “Then the synagogue having broken up ...” When the time of worship was ended, the work in the hearts from the Lord did not end there. The hearts of those who truly wanted to know more followed the faithful servants of the Lord, not because they needed something else, but because all they wanted was to hear more. The word that had been told to them stirred their hearts and led them to follow to hear more about the Lord God Almighty.
“Who, speaking to them, urged them ...” Give attention, all believers, the verse tells us clearly. The faithful servants of the Lord urged people to stay firm in prayer. When your heart is sensitive to the Lord God Almighty, the Lord Himself will also stir you to want and do what is right.
44 Now on the next Sabbath almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
Comments Acts 13:44 After the Lord God Almighty servants proclaimed the good news to the people, it made the people ask them to return again because the word that they heard in their ears also worked in their hearts, and that it stirred their hearts to have faith and to want to hear more about the work of the Lord.
45 But the Jews having seen the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things spoken by Paul, blaspheming.
Comments Acts 13:45 “But the Jews having seen the multitudes.” The children of the Lord, when they saw that more of their people were going and had faith, believing in the Lord God Almighty, that made them have no peace and worry about how to stop what was happening now.
“They were filled with jealousy ...” Let all believers pay attention to what the verse says: jealousy is the problem in the human heart. Even if people just wanted to hear more about the Lord God Almighty, the hearts of those who did not believe have been stirred with jealousy. Watch out, all humans: jealousy is the enemy of faith and good deeds.
46 Also, Paul and Barnabas having spoken boldly, said, It was necessary the word of God to be spoken first to you. But since, you thrust it away, and you judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
Comments Acts 13:46 “Also, Paul and Barnabas having spoken boldly ...” The servants of the Lord God Almighty have the first duty to the Lord’s children and have received the order to come to tell them the good news, but if their hearts are not ready to follow, the Lord will guide them on what the next step should be in order to spread the good news.
“But since, you thrust it away, and you judge ...” The hearts of the Lord’s children were not ready to receive and put themselves down that they are unworthy, but for you to be good or not good to get saved is not by your own work but by the work of the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, but the Lord’s children have reject their own God, and the Lord God Almighty sent His servants to go to the Gentiles; the whole earth will be saved through the good news.
47 For so has the Lord commanded us: I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, for you to be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.
Comments Acts 13:47 “For so has the Lord commanded us.” The Lord God Almighty commanded His faithful servants to be the light for the world and tell the good news, and proclaim the beloved Son of God to the Gentiles, so that the true light will be shown to the world. To get saved starts with the work of the faithful servants that follow the order in spreading out the beloved Son of God, and the deed for salvation for all humans will be told to the world; the earth belongs to the Lord, and His mercy will be given to all the hearts that are willing to obey.
“I have set you for a light of the Gentiles ...” The Lord God Almighty set His faithful servants to be the messengers to give the good news to the world that the only way to be saved is through the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus alone, because the beloved Son of God had come down to be crucified for the world, not only for His children alone. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus is the true light to give out to all.
48 And hearing it, the Gentiles were rejoicing and glorified the word of God, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Comments Acts 13:48 “And hearing it, the Gentiles were rejoicing ...” All readers give attention: by hearing and opening the hearts, it will bring faith and happy to all. When the heart rejoices, it also opens the soul to receive the good news.
“And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” The Lord God Almighty has the plan for all to be saved. When their ears hear the news, and whoever’s hearts are open, they will all be accepted. As it happens, here, the heart opens, the soul receives blessings, and rejoices, and these souls will receive eternal life to be with the Lord God Almighty in Paradise at the end.
Q: Is this saying here predestination? A: This is not predestination, but some souls the Lord sends for a purpose.
49 And the word of the Lord was spread through all the region.
Comments Acts 13:49 The reason that the Lord God Almighty has sent His faithful servants to spread the good news in this area has been shown here. The souls that the Lord saw will accept the good news. The Lord God Almighty gives them the chance to hear the good news, and their souls receive the joy, because their hearts truly believe and have faith in the Lord God Almighty.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout women of honorable position, and the chiefs of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out from their boundary.
Comments Acts 13:50 “But the Jews stirred up the devout women ...” The way of the dark to fight against the Lord, they will use the human way to do it. Pay attention, the people in this place all had wealth of this earth and positions in society. For the dark to fight against the Lord God Almighty, they only use the human way and human resources, because they believe that this is the way to win the war.
“And stirred up a persecution against ...” The Lord’s servants were common men who had no power to fight against anybody. By pushing them out of their area, the dark believed that the work of spreading the good news would be stopped in their area, and the people would notice which power was more important on earth.
51 But having shaken off the dust of their feet against, they went to Iconium.
Comments Acts 13:51 “But having shaken off the dust ...” Give attention, all children of God, the Lord God Almighty does not have teaching of violence. For all the believers this is an example: by even the dust that stick on the feet, shaking it off, also mean you have done the work in spreading the good news to save them but they themselves are the ones who rejected the good news and to be saved; by doing this, the Lord God Almighty also will not take you responsible for the lost souls in this place.
“They went to Iconium.” The plan of the Lord God Almighty in saving humans does not stop at one place. When one place rejects the good news, go to the next place to seek souls to be saved. The Lord God Almighty also guided His servants to go to the next place where the Lord God Almighty also has people who are waiting to be saved.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Comments Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy.” When the disciples’ hearts were filled with the Holy Spirit, the joy occupied their souls as well; let all believers pay attention to the joy that they had.
“And the Holy Spirit.” The gift from the Lord God Almighty poured down on the disciples: the Holy Spirit. The mind, the heart, and the soul have been covered with the Holy Spirit; the human heart has received the Holy Spirit to dwell in.
Life and faith applications. 1) Before sending disciples for mission work, a church should fast, pray, and lay hands on them, asking for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 2) As disciples of the Lord Jesus, we must follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in spreading the good news to others. 3) When working for the Lord, we must pray, meditate on the Word of God, and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. 4) We should not discriminate to whom and where to share the good news; the Lord loves all people, and He has the plan of salvation for the entire world. 5) If persecuted in one place, pray and do not stop; the Lord desires to spread the good news throughout the world, and He will guide us to other places in His plan.