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against God. God’s will never supersedes man’s will except in judgment. Rejecting God’s grace
will only reap His judgment. Legalists always put God’s plans aside and think of themselves as
better than God. However, Paul informs them, “If you reject the Lord’s plan, we have every
right to take God’s message to the Gentiles.”

MINISTRY TO THE GENTILES

Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the
Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying (Isaiah 49:6), I have set (appointed) thee to be a
light of (to) the Gentiles, that thou (ministers) shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the
earth.

The Old Testament speaks of ministers who will preach to the Gentiles. Centuries before this
time, God had given Jews permission to turn to the Gentile nations with His message.

Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as
many as were ordained (tasso: perfect tense: assigned) to eternal life believed.

It is amazing how faith is produced with even a minimal amount of the Word. One verse causes
these Gentiles to rejoice and receive salvation. The Greek word tasso is in the perfect tense.
God knew before the foundation of the world who would and would not believe, and assigned
everlasting life with Him to those who would (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4).

Act 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

As eternal life is received, the converts publish the good news of the Word of God throughout
the city and country.

PAUL AND BARNABAS EXPELLED (50-52)

The religious Jews who are angry with Paul and Barnabas cause prominent men and women to
also become angry. Persecution results and they are expelled them from the city. Upon
leaving, they shake the dust from their feet as instructed by Jesus.

Act 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the
city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.