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Act 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in
the grace of God.

The Gentiles and many of the Jews found Paul and Barnabas inside the synagogue and followed
them to their room asking questions all the way. Paul and Barnabas admonish them to

continue in the grace of God.

Grace covers two main areas: salvation and spirituality. Paul and Barnabas have already all
observed the destructiveness of legalism in the church at Jerusalem, and so they encourage
these men to begin and continue with grace. Apparently, many of them are born again during
the service and have questions about how to continue in the Lord.

Act 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of
God.

In the course of one week, the Word taught by Barnabas and Paul brought the entire city out to
hear the message of grace. Crowds of people gathered to hear more.

THE JEWS CONTRADICT THE MESSAGE OF GRACE

Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against
those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Legalists are always jealous of grace. People desire to hear messages about freedom and go to
great links to receive those messages. Legalists retaliate and argue against grace. This is why
we are to labor to maintain rest and stand fast in liberty. Legalism contradicts and blasphemes
because it attempts to help God through human effort. These legalists are criticizing the Word
of God.

THE BOLDNESS OF PAUL AND BARNABAS

Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God
should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves

unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, “It was necessary that the Word of God should
first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you (thrust him from yourselves) and
judge (evaluate) yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

God prophesied in the Old Testament that the Jews would be the first to hear the gospel but
would reject the message. This is the reason they are without excuse. They turned their will