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Acts | 1-8: | 9:1-19 | 9:20-31 | 9:32-43 | 10:1-23 | 10:24-48 | 11 | 12 | 13:1-12 | 13:13-41 | 13:42-52 | 14:1-18 | 14:19-28 | 15:1-21 | 15:22-41 | 16:1-15 | 16:16-40 | 17:1-15 | 17:16-34 |  18:1-17 | 18:18-28 | 19:1-20 | 19:21-41 | 20:1-16 | 20:17-38 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23:12-35 | 24 | More Coming Soon |

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These small group Bible studies of Acts 13:42-52 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Acts 13:42-52 – Reactions to the Gospel Message

Outline

I. The initial response (42-43)
II. The Jews’ response (44-47)
III. The Gentiles’ response (48-52)

I. The initial response (42-43)

Discussion Questions

• How did the people initially respond to Paul’s message?
• If you share the good news and people want to know more before making a decision, what should you do?
• Who are the “devout converts to Judaism” mentioned in verse 43?
• What do you think it means that these people followed Paul and Barnabas?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The many possible responses to the gospel – In this passage, we see different responses to the gospel. Some wanted to hear more. Some were excited. Some became jealous and hostile.

In Scripture, we see that people often respond to the gospel in different ways.

• Some respond with immediate belief and joy (Acts 2:41, Acts 16:14, Luke 813)
• Some respond with curiosity but aren’t ready to believe yet (Acts 13:42, 17:32)
• Some respond with confusion or doubt (John 6:60, Matthew 28:17)
• Some respond with hostility (Acts 13:45)
• Some respond with indifference (Matthew 22:5)
• Some respond with only temporal belief (John 6:66, Luke 8:13)
• Some respond with true repentance (Luke 19:8-9)

We should pray for repentant hearts, but we should not be surprised by any of the above reactions. Some believers might expect that, since they are doing a great thing to share the gospel and perhaps even sacrificing a lot to do it, they will be lauded for it. Don’t be surprised when that doesn’t happen.

It is often those who are the most faithfully serving God who will be criticized and opposed the most.

Reflect –Have you ever been encouraged by a person’s response to the gospel? Have you ever been discouraged?

Knowing that many reject the gospel or even respond with hostility can help us mentally prepare for rejection. That in turn can help us be more even-keeled so that we can persevere in sharing and not let disappointments derail us from the work God has given us.

2. The people begged that these things be told them the next Sabbath –

Acts 13:42 – As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.

The initial response from most of the crowd was good. They wanted to know more.

Reflect – Have you witnessed this response of wanting to know more?

For over twenty years, I have shared the good news in Asia. One of the most common responses is, “I am not ready to believe yet, but I would like to know more.” Sometimes this is a cop out, a polite way of declining the gospel invitation. But often, it is sincere.

It is good to desire to know what you believe before choosing to follow it. A fellow teacher I worked with asked me questions about the Bible for years before committing to becoming a believer. I have answered probably thousands of questions from curious seekers.

Application – Seeking and asking questions is great! If people are curious about the gospel, meet them where they are. Patiently and faithfully help them find the answers to their questions. Your loving follow-up can attract them to the Lord even if you don’t have all the answers. Our job is not to pressure people, but to help them know the truth and trust that God will water the seeds in their hearts.

3. Paul and Barnabas kept encouraging them –

Acts 13:43 – And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Notice that when the main meeting broke up, Paul and Barnabas didn’t immediately leave to rest. They continued to follow up with those interested. That may have taken place in one-to-one or small group conversations.

Thus we see the public teaching ministry of Paul and his team and the private discipleship as he urged people to follow the Lord.

Reflect – Which is more important, a sermon to the whole church or one-on-one sharing?

Both are very important. But it often is the off-stage conversations that have the most impact on people. When the pastor is on stage, it can be hard for people to connect to him. He is somehow distant and talking to the crowd. But off stage, he is personal. The connection he can make is real and authentic. He is a person, a friend.

Application – Engage in more of these heartfelt spiritual conversations outside of “official” ministry or church time. Fellowship with a purpose. Make authentic connections with others and be a friend.

II. The Jews’ response (44-47)

Discussion Questions

• What happened the next Sabbath?
• Why were the Jews upset? Wasn’t it good for them that their synagogue now had more visitors than before?
• What are some common reasons people may react with hostility toward the gospel message today?
• Why do you think Paul was so harsh with the Jews?
• Was he too harsh?
• What did he mean that he was turning to the Gentiles?
• What Biblical precedent is there for Paul’s tactic?
• What did Jesus say that we should do if people are not open to the gospel we preach?
• In chapter 14, Paul was back at another synagogue. So did he really turn to the Gentiles? What did he mean by that?

Cross-References

Acts 18:6 – And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

2 Timothy 2:24-25 – And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The next Sabbath, most of the city gathered –

News spread fast. Paul’s method of sharing at synagogues was effective. The Holy Spirit was blessing them and giving them the opportunity to sow the seed to a wide audience.

2. The Jews were filled with jealousy –

You might think that the Jews would be happy. The synagogue had probably never had more people in attendance. Paul’s visit had brought them attention and made their place the place to be.

But wherever God is working, Satan is also often working. We see that truth here. The Jews were jealous. Their preaching had never gotten that much attention. Their activities had never drawn a crowd that big. Their popularity had never approached Paul’s. Their message had never sparked such interest.

It was about them. It was about their status and reputation. In their minds, Paul was gaining reputation points and they weren’t.

There is no record that they cared about whether Paul’s message was true. Pride was their downfall, as it had been the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. They were unable to accept the gospel and be saved because they were too focused on their position. A life preserver was thrown to them, but they refused to take it because doing so would be to admit they needed to be saved and give more credit to the Savior instead of themselves. They are like the villain in the movies who, because of pride, falls to his death instead of taking the hero’s hand.

John the Baptist faced this issue when his disciples complained that Jesus was gaining popularity. His response?

John 3:30 – He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jealousy is a very dangerous emotion.

Reflect – Have you ever been tempted to be jealous of others or their achievements?

Once there was a pastor who went on a trip. He had his junior pastor assistant preach while he was gone. When he returned, the congregation praised the junior pastor’s sermon, saying, “You should have preached more often.” The senior pastor was jealous and angry that he did not receive such praise when he preached. Sadly, he refused to let the junior pastor speak again because he wanted the limelight.

Application – All believers are on the same team. Our goal is to build God’s kingdom. When someone else comes along who can do a certain task well, perhaps even better than us, how do we respond? We should welcome that and empower that believer to serve the Lord by giving him more opportunities and supporting him. It’s not about us. It’s not about our reputation (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). It’s about the Lord.

Think about who is good at the same thing as you. Especially consider if there is someone in your life (an older sibling, a co-worker, a ministry partner) that you are tempted to be jealous of. Resolve to pray for that person. Pray for their success. Look for practical ways to encourage that person so that they can be even more successful.

James 3:14-16 – But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

3. Paul and Barnabas respond –

Acts 13:46-47 – And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Their words sound a bit harsh at first glance. You would not likely often hear preachers speaking like this today. However, we need to keep in mind their audience. They were not talking to people who were ignorant or didn’t know any better.

The Jews had millennia of God’s blessings. God sent many prophets to them. He entrusted the Scriptures to them. The Son of God went to them Himself, taught them, and did numerous miracles there. They had every opportunity and reason to believe. Indeed, they were without excuse.

It was because of that background and their hearts that Paul and Barnabas escalated their words and rebuked them more intensely.

When a patient’s heart stops beating, doctors use defibrillation to shock the patient’s heart so that it will beat agin. When the lowest setting doesn’t work, they continually raise the intensity of the electrical waves that the machine sends to the heart. The patient’s body jerks at the jolts. Once they wake up, many patients report sore chest muscles and even burn marks.

As defibrillation is used to shock the patient out of their physical lethargy, so Paul (and Jesus) sometimes used strongly worded rebukes to attempt to penetrate through the hard shells that had been put up around the Jews’ hearts and shock them out of their spiritual hardness and lethargy.

4. We are turning to the Gentiles

It is not the only time Paul said this. It was not a final decision to never share with a Jew again, but rather an indication of their direction to share with the Gentiles since the Jews rejected them.

Paul was following the principle Jesus taught to spend your time investing in those who want to learn and grow.

Matthew 7:6 – Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Just as it would be foolish to present a pig with your finest piece of jewelry so it is to beat your head against a brick wall by trying to force a hard-hearted person to believe the gospel. That time could be better spent looking for those who are truly interested and sharing with them.

We are called to disciple others. As we do, we should look for FAT people, those who are faithful, available, and teachable. Jesus poured most of his time into the twelve disciples because they wanted what He had to offer.

Application – Are you spending a lot of time ministering to people who don’t want to grow? If so, prayerfully ask God where you could better invest your time. Look for hungry people to pour your life into.

III. The Gentiles’ response (48-52)

Discussion Questions

• How did the Gentiles react to the gospel message?
• Why were they so happy?
• What do the different reactions teach us about people?
• What types of responses have you witnessed when you have shared the gospel?
• Why did they shake the dust off their feet? Have you ever done this? Why or why not?

Cross-References

Mark 6:11 – And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The Gentiles rejoiced –

Acts 13:48 – And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

What an exciting thing it is to share the good news with people who receive it with joy!

Reflect – Have you ever had the privilege of sharing with someone who responded like that?

The Gentiles were excited and thankful to be part of God’s plan. In the Old Testament, there are many verses that show God’s love for the Gentiles and His plan to bring them into His kingdom. Yet many Jews were not excited about those ideas. They took pride in being God’s chosen people and the center of His attention. Many were furious at the very idea that God would also choose the Gentiles (Acts 22:21-22).

Thus the impression Gentiles would have had about Jews is that they were exclusivists. It was like a club that they could never hope to fully join. From their lofty perch, Jewish leaders would have haughtily looked down at them. It was prejudice, ethnocentrism, and segregation all rolled into one.

Gentiles could convert to Judaism and, under the law, would be part of Israel and could be members of the synagogue. However, in practice, they were often still regarded as second-class citizens and not on the same level as natural born Jews.

But now Paul preached to them a message of full inclusion. God cared about them. Salvation was available to them. They could be first-class citizens in God’s kingdom and were no longer relegated to an afterthought.

Ephesians 2:12-13 – Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Application – If you are a Gentile, take a moment to thank God that you are part of His great plan of salvation.

2. The Jews incited the people –

Jealous Jews incited influential women and men in the city to persecute Paul and his team. The situation soon became untenable and Paul and Barnabas decided to leave and find another more receptive place to share the gospel. We see this pattern throughout the book of Acts. No matter how much persecution he faced, Paul didn’t give up. He just moved on to the next place and started again.

He gives us a great example of perseverance.

Reflect – In what area of your life do you need more perseverance? How can you grow in perseverance?

3. They shook off the dust of their feet –

Acts 13:51 – But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.

Paul’s team practiced what Jesus taught the disciples.

Matthew 10:14 – And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

In first-century Judaism, some Jews regarded Gentile lands as unclean. When they left Gentile regions, they might shake the dust off their feet to avoid bringing defilement into their Holy Land. It was a symbolic act of dissociation.

When Jesus told the disciples to do this, He flipped the Jewish practice on its head. It would have been like saying, “This town is as unclean as a Gentile one.” It was a shocking move and the people at that time would have been familiar with its implications. It would have been very offensive to them.

It was a symbol also of judgment and of public condemnation for the hard hearts of the people.

While it might seem harsh, when the disciples did that, it was actually an act of grace and mercy. It was meant to punch through their defenses and warn them to turn from their rejection and repent. God’s discipline is meant to transform hearts (Hebrews 12:7-11).

When a church excommunicates a person who is willfully sinning and won’t repent, the goal is the same. It is not because the church wants that person to go to hell. It is because they don’t want him to. It is meant to show the wayward person that his spiritual status is not OK and that he needs to change.

James 5:19-20 – My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Reflect – In most cultures today, the symbolism of shaking the dust off your feet would be lost. Are there any cultural equivalents today? In what cases should a believer send a strong warning today like Paul did? How?

4. The disciples were filled with joy –

Even in the midst of persecution, they were joyful (James 1:2-4). Are you?