The Bible expressly states in Romans 1:16 that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. It has nothing to do with the race, country or even the religion you were born into. To be saved, all you have to do is believe.
In the case of the people in our reading in Acts 13:23, being Jews, they were familiar with the book of the law and God’s promise of a saviour. However, they still didn’t believe in the gospel because it hadn’t yet been preached to them. They would have still been waiting for the fulfilment of God’s prophecy.
Paul then explained salvation from a historical point of view since Jesus was a descendant of David. He went further to explain how John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus and also to state that His crucifixion and resurrection had already been prophesied in the scripture in Psalms 16:10. He then explained to them that the justification that was unattainable in the law is available by faith in Christ alone.
After this, a good number of the Jews and Gentiles who practised Judaism believed in Christ and began following Paul and Barnabas. Paul then urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God. From here, we begin to see the inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation through Paul’s ministry.
To this end, remember the power of the gospel and your role in sharing it. Just as Paul boldly proclaimed Christ to both Jews and Gentiles, you must do the same, ensuring that all have the opportunity to hear and believe.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for the priceless gift of salvation.
Today’s reading
Number 32-33
Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock,
the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying,
“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon,
Acts 13: 23-43
From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’