The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52 WEB

Paul and Barnabas were on a mission. They were fulfilling the great commission, sharing the good news of the gospel with whoever would receive it. In Antioch, Paul shared the news of Jesus as Savior with Jews and Gentiles alike. Wanting to hear more, the people agreed to meet with Paul one week later.

A Large Congregation

When they met again, the enormity of the crowd shocked the Jewish leaders. Almost the entire city had come to hear Paul speak. While Paul and Barnabas shared the good news, the synagogue leaders grew jealous of the attention and the size of the congregated mass of listeners.

As Paul and Barnabas spoke, Jewish leaders contradicted them and hurled insults. The men of God answered them saying that they had spoken the word of God to them first. But upon the rejection of the word, the disciples of Christ turned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. 

A Light for the Gentiles

Filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord had commanded his followers concerning non-Jews saying this from Acts 13:47, “I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. WEB” This was a reference to Isaiah 49:6 which had prophesied the coming of Christ.

Many Gentiles were happy to hear the good news of Christ and glorified the word of God. A great many believed the gospel message of Jesus and were subsequently filled with the Holy Spirit.

At that time, prominent women and men in the Jewish community began to stir up trouble for Paul and Barnabas, persecuting them and throwing them outside of their borders. Even so, the word spread because of those who had believed. This result filled the disciples with joy as they, like all true believers, were also filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Beginning and the End