Book of Acts - Chapter 13 - Verse 48

In this verse from the book of Acts, we see how the Gentiles responded to hearing the message of the Lord. The Gentiles, who were previously considered outside of God's chosen people, were overjoyed at the good news they received and praised the word of the Lord. This reaction shows the power and universality of the gospel, which is able to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures to faith in God. It also highlights the idea of predestination, as those who were "ordained to eternal life" believed in the message they heard. This verse reminds us that belief in the word of the Lord is a gift from God, and it is through His grace that people come to faith. As publishers of the entire Bible verse by verse, it is important to convey the significance of this verse in demonstrating the inclusive nature of God's salvation and the importance of divine sovereignty in the process of belief.

Within this verse, there is a theological concept of predestination or election being touched upon. The phrase "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" suggests that those who were chosen or predestined by God to receive eternal life are the ones who believed. This ties into the Calvinist belief in predestination, where God chooses who will be saved and who will not. Additionally, the words "glorified the word of the Lord" emphasize the importance of the message they heard, and their response of joy and praise to it. This reveals that the Gentiles recognized the truth and power of the Gospel and responded with gratitude. It is also important to note the role of faith in the process of salvation, as those who believed in the message were the ones who were ordained to eternal life. This verse highlights the sovereignty of God in the salvation of individuals and the importance of faith in receiving eternal life.