Acts 13:32-52

And we are bringing you the good news of the promise made to our fathers (ancestors), that God has completely fulfilled this promise to our children by raising up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU.’ [Ps 2:7] And [as for the fact] that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay [in the grave], He has spoken in this way: ‘I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY AND SURE blessings OF DAVID [those blessings and mercies that were promised to him].’ [Is 55:3] For this reason He also says in another Psalm, ‘YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO SEE DECAY.’ [Ps 16:10] For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was buried among his fathers and experienced decay [in the grave]; but He whom God raised [to life] did not experience decay [in the grave]. So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; and through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior and follows Him] is justified and declared free of guilt from all things, from which you could not be justified and freed of guilt through the Law of Moses. Therefore be careful, so that the thing spoken of in the [writings of the] Prophets does not come upon you: ‘LOOK, YOU MOCKERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH and VANISH AWAY; FOR I AM DOING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, even IF SOMEONE DESCRIBES IT TO YOU [telling you about it in detail].’ ” [Hab 1:5] As Paul and Barnabas were leaving [the synagogue], the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath. When the congregation of the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, talking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the word of the Lord [about salvation through faith in Christ]. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things said by Paul, and were slandering him. And [at the same time] Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and confidently, saying, “It was necessary that God’s message [of salvation through faith in Christ] be spoken to you [Jews] first. Since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, now we turn to the Gentiles. For that is what the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, SO THAT YOU MAY BRING [the message of eternal] SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’ ” [Is 49:6] When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying [praising and giving thanks for] the word of the Lord; and all those who had been appointed (designated, ordained) to eternal life [by God] believed [in Jesus as the Christ and their Savior]. And so the word of the Lord [regarding salvation] was being spread through the entire region. But the Jews incited the devout, prominent women and the leading men of the city, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them forcibly out of their district. But they shook its dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. [Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11] And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their hearts and souls] with joy and with the Holy Spirit.