As a Light for the Gentiles (Revised)

As a Light for the Gentiles (Revised)

Acts 13:32~52

 

□ Praise and Sharing

Hymn 502 Angels of Light

How did you spend last week?

 

The theme of June is 'Road to Rome' (week 1 'As a light to the Gentiles', week 2 'Towards Europe beyond Asia', week 3 'I must see Rome too', week 4 'Through the threat of death' ', 5 weeks 'Waving through the waves of despair'). The gospel was first given to the Jews, but it must be spread to all nations, starting from Judea and beyond Rome, to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Even foreign nations covered in the darkness of sin and death must be illuminated with the light of the gospel. For this purpose, the Lord appoints people to spread the gospel and calls them ‘The light for the Gentiles.’

 

□ Words and Sharing

Paul preaches the gospel at Antioch in Pisidia.

1) What is Paul trying to confirm by quoting the Old Testament? (verses 32-37)

(Acts 13:32) We also proclaim to you the promise given to your ancestors.

(Acts 13:33) That is, God has fulfilled this promise to our children by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm, “You are my son, today I have begotten you.”

(Acts 13:34) And God raised him from the dead, and taught him that he should no longer see corruption, saying, “I will give you the holy and trustworthy gift of David.” Isaiah 55:3

(Acts 13:35) Another Psalm says, “You will not allow your Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10

(Acts 13:36) David served according to the will of God at that time, but he fell asleep and was buried with his ancestors, and suffered corruption.

(Acts 13:37) He whom God raised alive did not see corruption.

 

It says, ‘God fulfilled the promise He made to the ancestors by raising Jesus.’

 

2) According to Paul’s teachings, how can a person become righteous? (verses 38-39)

(Acts 13:38) Know therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is preached to you;

(Acts 13:39) And by him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you were not justified by the law of Moses. Romans 3:20

 

Everyone who believes in this man (Jesus) receives forgiveness of sins and is justified.

We are forgiven of our sins and justified through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness of sins and justification are prerequisites to becoming God’s people. What could not be obtained through the law, Jesus gave as a gift. As believers of this gospel, let us forgive others and praise the Lord, who with His endless grace, made us His righteous people.

 

3) What are the prophetic words that those who despise the gospel should keep in mind? (verses 40-41)

(Acts 13:40) Therefore take heed lest what is spoken through the prophets come to you. Habakkuk 1:5

(Acts 13:41) And he said to them, “Behold, you despisers, be astonished and perish; for I will do things in your days, things which you will never believe, even if a man were to tell you.”

 

It means that ‘those who hear the gospel but do not believe it and despise it will perish.’

 

<Sharing 1> When Paul preached the gospel, he cited the Old Testament to argue that Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God. Are we well equipped with the words of the Bible to spread the gospel? Let’s share what training we need now to evangelize the gospel.

 

We will need to receive training in evangelism explosion training, four spiritual evangelism methods, and colored paper evangelism methods so that we can effectively spread the gospel with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

<Sharing 2> There are always people who react hostilely when the gospel is proclaimed. Since this is foretold in the Bible, evangelists should not be alarmed nor shrink back in fear. Let us share with each other how we should respond to people who are hostile to the gospel.

 

Instead of arguing with people who are hostile to the gospel, we must pray with a gentle heart and compassion for their souls, sensitively expecting the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible exhorts, “Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

 

2. When the gospel is preached, two reactions occur. (verses 42-52).

1) After Paul finished speaking, what reaction occurred in the synagogue? (verses 42-43)

(Acts 13:42) As they were going out, people asked them to say this also on the next Sabbath.

(Acts 13:43) After the synagogue meeting, many Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two apostles spoke with them and encouraged them to always remain in the grace of God. Acts 17:4, Acts 17:17

 

People asked him to say this again on the next Sabbath, and many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas.

 

2) What does Paul say to the Jews who reject the gospel he preached first? (verses 44-46)

(Acts 13:44) ○The next Sabbath, almost all the citizens gathered together to hear the word of God.

(Acts 13:45) When the Jews saw the crowd, they were filled with envy, and they refuted and slandered what Paul had said.

(Acts 13:46) Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; but since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.” Matthew 10: 6, Romans 1:16

 

 “But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life,” says Paul, “we are turning to the Gentiles.”

 

3) What does Paul say the Lord has made him for? (verse 47)

(Acts 13:47) Thus has the Lord commanded us, saying, I will make you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Paul says that the Lord has made him a light for the Gentiles.

 

<Sharing 3> Jews who are satisfied with their status as the chosen people and do not accept the gospel are excluded from eternal life, but Gentiles who aspire to the gospel and accept Jesus will become God's people and enjoy eternal life. Jesus came to this earth as a ‘light illuminating the Gentiles’ (Luke 2:32), and Paul also became a ‘light to the Gentiles’ and spread the gospel to all nations. The Lord has shined the light of the gospel on us, Gentiles, and allows us to become the light of the gospel that shines on others. Let’s talk about where we should shine the light of the gospel and how we should shine it.

 

We must spread the gospel through our words and good deeds to our family, relatives, friends, neighbors, and all people in the world who do not yet believe in Jesus as their Savior.

 

□ Let's pray together

Dear God, help us to trust You, who are still writing the story of salvation, and help us live as Your light to the Gentiles.

Lord, help us to be equipped with the Word and to preach the gospel clearly and persuasively!

Let us become a missionary community that illuminates the dark world with the light of the Gospel!

 

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