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Acts 13:48–52
“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” (v. 48).
Hearing that the gospel of salvation was being extended to the gentiles caused the gentiles who heard Paul’s preaching in Pisidian Antioch to rejoice. Not only that, but they glorified the Lord, as Luke indicates in today’s passage (Acts 13:44–48). No longer would the gentiles be without hope in the world; they could be a part of the redeemed community through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:11–13).
This rejoicing was the fruit of faith, Luke explains in Acts 13:48, for “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Note how this verse speaks of those who believed in Jesus as doing so because they had been “appointed to eternal life,” a clear reference to divine election unto salvation. This is one of the most explicit passages in all Scripture that saving faith is ultimately rooted not in ourselves but in the gracious choice of God. The gospel message goes forth to all people, but only those whom the Lord has chosen to save will end up believing. This choice, we learn in Romans 9:1–24, is not based on anything in us but is according to God’s good pleasure. This does not mean that the Lord has no reason for His choice, that it is arbitrary. Our Creator always does things purposefully, working out all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). Unconditional election simply means that God does not choose His people for salvation based on anything that they have done or that He knows they will do. He does not choose His elect because they are smarter, more morally upright, more spiritual, or otherwise better than those whom He does not choose. None of the elect deserve to be chosen by God. Salvation is all of grace from beginning to end.
Paul and Barnabas’ ministry in Pisidian Antioch resulted in the conversion of many Jews and gentiles to faith in Christ. Yet not all Jews and gentiles there responded to the Apostolic preaching with faith. Acts 13:49–50 says that some Jews stirred up “devout women of high standing”—gentile women who attended synagogue services—and “leading men” against Paul and Barnabas, and city officials began persecuting the men. This forced Paul and Barnabas to leave the city, and they shook the dust off their feet as they went (vv. 51–52). This was a symbolic act, conveying that they left the city behind entirely, taking nothing of it with them, not even its dust. It is a picture of a city polluted by unbelief, a pollution that Paul and Barnabas would not take with them.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Acts 13:48, John Calvin comments, teaches that “faith dependeth upon God’s election.” Some people struggle to believe this, thinking that election means that we cannot know whether God has chosen to save us. Yet Calvin also says that we can know whether the Lord has chosen us for salvation. We know that we are elect if we have saving faith in Jesus Christ. If we rest only in Christ for salvation, turning from our sin, God has chosen us from all eternity to be His children.
For further study
- Genesis 25:19–28
- Malachi 1:2–5
- John 6:37
- Romans 11:1–6
The bible in a year
- Nehemiah 6–8
- Acts 2:42–3:10