Acts chapter 13 v 46-52:

Acts chapter 13 v 46-52:

V46:  Paul and Barnabas now boldly declare that while it was right, and necessary for them to declare the Gospel to the Jews first ( Romans 1 v16.) the rejection it now receives from so many, and in which they condemn themselves, signifies to them that in God’s will and purpose they will now turn to the Gentiles directly. ( So Paul comes fully into God’s purpose for his ministry, as told in Acts 9 v15.) But remember that many Jews of Antioch have believed too ( v 43.)

V47:  This call to preach to the Gentiles is also supported from OT Scripture – Isaiah 49 v 6 – for this is indeed God’s eternal plan and purpose of grace, brought to its outcome in the coming of Jesus, and His redeeming death for all His people, Jew and Gentile alike.

V48-49:  The Gentiles present are overjoyed, and give God the glory for His gracious Word, and all who are God’s appointed ( He is always sovereign in salvation ) truly believe, and now the Gospel spreads through the whole region, surely as these new believers bear their testimony before their neighbours.  

V50:  Still bitter in their opposition and rejection, the Jewish leaders now stir up both men and women of influence in Antioch – unclear if this means Jews or Gentiles or both – to raise persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and to drive them from the district.

V51-52:  The ” shaking off the dust from their feet “ is a traditional symbol of rejecting a place – Jesus had actually instructed His disciples to do this, if a place utterly rejected their message ( Matthew 10 v 14 ). Paul and Barnabas now travel further inland, to Iconium. But true and lasting Gospel work has been done there in Antioch, and the new believers are ” filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”. Their witness will continue, as Paul and Barnabas now take the Gospel to new areas, and the growth of the Church continues.