So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.  (43) Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. (45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.  (46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (47)  For so the Lord has commanded us:  ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”  (48) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord.  And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region.  (50) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution  against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.  (51) But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.  (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. 

The Acts of the Apostles is a history of the early church, written by Luke; physician, historian and dear companion of the apostle Paul. Our verses today chronicle the beginning of the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas – their strategy for preaching the gospel was to go to the local synagogue and Paul, a visiting rabbi, would be invited to speak; he would preach the gospel beginning with the prophecy and history of the Old Testament.  Remember that everyone in that synagogue believed in God  and most were very familiar with the Old Testament.  There was abundant evidence that Christ Jesus was the Messiah but the Jews  rejected it

The Jews were the chosen people of God and Christ came to them so it was necessary that they be first to hear the good news. The Jewish leaders were looking for a political Messiah – an earthly king – and did not understand the prophets.  They condemned Jesus and fulfilled all that was written about the Messiah.   They cast aside this great grace and their denial of Jesus  was a denial of the righteousness of God.  When out of envy the Jews rose up and opposed and blasphemed Paul’s words, Paul spoke boldly in the Spirit and told the Jews they condemned themselves and from then on Paul would preach to the Gentiles – this was also prophesied.

Right standing with God could never come from the Law – no one can keep it perfectly and man’s efforts are never enough to earn salvation. The Gentiles embraced the gospel that we are justified – brought into a right standing before God – only through the work and merit of Jesus Christ. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us through faith and salvation is always of the Lord. It is never of man.