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Day 102 Acts 13:14 When they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. 15 After reading the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. 20 After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 Afterward they asked for a king; so, God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 When He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ 26 Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 Though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now, when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which the Law of Moses could not justify you. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’” 42 When the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 When the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread throughout the region. 50 The Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 They shook off the dust from their feet against them and came to Iconium. 52 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. How do you react when you hear a convincing word? Many people will try to persuade you that what they offer will benefit you. Do you search the Internet, looking for reviews and testimonials about the information provided to you? You can find everything on the Internet today. Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch in Pisidia, a city in Turkey, and part of the Roman Empire. When they entered the synagogue, the leader asked if anyone had a word for them. Paul stood and gave testimony about Jesus. When he finished, they were invited to preach again the following Sabbath. When they returned, many Jews brought accusations and persecution against them and expelled them from the region. Paul shared the word of salvation with them first, but they rejected it, so it was given to the Gentiles instead. When they left, they went to Iconium, where the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. As Christians, you hear many sermons and teachings from God’s Word. Do you believe everything you hear? Do you leave church with gladness in your heart, rejoicing in what you heard, or do you question what you heard? Many ministers preach to the people what they want to hear. Those who hear it leave smiling because they heard what they wanted to hear without thinking about checking out what they heard. Those ministers who preach the Word of God unapologetically teach what God lays on their hearts. Those who hear them can follow the message through their Bibles and see that what their minister preached is the truth found in God’s Word. Paul preached a word from God, and the Jews rejected it and expelled them. But many believed and followed them—those who received it with gladness and joy. People might reject you for telling them the truth from God’s Word. Know that when they reject you, they reject Jesus. Shake their dust from your feet and spread God’s Word to those who are willing to receive it with joy. Let’s pray: Father, help me teach Your Word with boldness. Let me teach the truth only from You and not present a word that people want to hear. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 26 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.