42 So 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.
Verses 42-52 show the responses of both Jew and Gentile from Paul’s sermon in the synagogue at Antioch Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41). The synagogue leaders invited Paul and Barnabas to speak the next Sabbath day (Acts 13:42-44). The Jews opposed the apostles the following Sabbath day (Acts 13:42-44), then the team announced that they must turn to the Gentiles (Acts 13:45-47).
13:42
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
The Gentiles asked Paul and Barnabas to speak again the next Sabbath day.
13:43
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas,
Many Jews and Gentiles began to follow the apostles in the city of Antioch.
who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Some believed and urged the apostles to continue in the grace of God.
13:44
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
On the following Sabbath day, almost the whole city came to hear the Word of God.
PRINCIPLE:
Positive volition is key to the receptivity of God’s Word.
APPLICATION:
Later in the book of Acts, we see the positive volition of the Thessalonians toward God’s Word (Acts 17:10-11, 32). The Bereans were hungry to hear what God had to say about them and their future. This receptivity was true of some in Antioch. They were not of those who shrank back to destruction (He 10:38, 39).
