Truth. Response.

Pete Kersker - Jul 17, 2026

Paul and Barnabas went to a new territory where they did not know anyone. The went to a synagogue, which is familiar to them, and were given the opportunity to preach from the Scriptures that had just been read. Paul shared from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah that they had been anticipating.

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:42-44 NIV).

The response was excellent. The people who hear the message that day wanted to hear more. They followed Paul and Barnabas just so they could keep the conversation going. They also invited Paul and Barnabas to come back the next week to speak again. They told all their friends and neighbors so that almost the whole city turned out to hear them the following week.

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him (Acts 13:45 NIV).

Paul and Barnabas did well. They told people the truth about Jesus, starting with the Scriptures. The Jewish leaders in the area did not do well. They got jealous because Paul and Barnabas were so popular. Popularity is about politics. God wants to communicate the truth to us, whether it's popular or not.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:46-48 NIV).

The truth is that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth; the One who gives us life and breath and everything else. The truth is that God wants to live abundant lives, forever with Him. The truth is that God tells us how to live such a life, along with what paths will lead to death. The truth is that when we are on a path that leads to death, God sends Jesus (the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God) to take death in our place so we can return to the path of life.

The word of the Lord spread through the whole region (Acts 13:49 NIV).

Do you know the truth that God continues to communicate to us about life?
What is your response to God's truth?