Paul's First Missionary Journey - In Pisidian Antioch; Acts 13:13 – 52 Part 11

Church History: There was some disinterest, but there were many, both of Jews and proselytes, whose lives were changed by the preaching of the gospel. Those who aggravated the matter of the Jews' rejection of the gospel, cried out, as is usual in such cases, "They have cast away, and cast off, all the people of God." "No," says Paul, "it is not so; for an abundance Jews have embraced Christ, and are taken in;" himself for one, (Romans 11:1,5). So it was here: Many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, and received further instructions and encouragement from them. They submitted to the grace of God, and were admitted to the benefit and comfort of it, which is implied in their being exhorted to continue in it. They followed Paul and Barnabas; they became their disciples, or rather the disciples of Christ, whose agents they were. Those that join themselves to Christ will join themselves to his ministers, and follow them. And Paul and Barnabas, though they were sent to the Gentiles, yet bade those of the Jews welcome that were willing to come under their instructions, such hearty well-wishers were they to all the Jews and their friends, if they pleased. They were exhorted and encouraged to persevere herein: Paul and Barnabas, speaking to them with all the freedom and friendship imaginable, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God, to hold fast that which they had received, to continue in their belief of the gospel of grace, their dependence upon the Spirit of grace, and their attendance upon the means of grace. And the grace of God shall not be wanting to those who thus continue in it.