One week after his powerful sermon at the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (v16-41), Paul returns to share more of God’s truth. This time the whole city turns out, such was the stir Paul and Barnabas had created (v44).

The Jewish leaders are not happy and with jealousy they speak abusively against Paul’s message (v45). Jealousy is a very dangerous force within anyone. We need to be careful of it working in us. The way to avoid jealousy is to be so enwrapped with Christ that His glory and will is everything to us.

The opposition from the Jews is so strong Paul speaks of how they are now turning away from them to share the Gospel with the Gentiles (v46-47). We need to be careful that we’re not spending so much time trying to share the Gospel with those who constantly reject it, that we’re neglecting others who the Lord wants to reach.

The shutting of the doors with the Jews was part of God’s plan as there was now an open door with the Gentiles, many of whom had been already chosen by God for salvation (v48). We work at sharing the Gospel to all, and those whom God has chosen will be saved, and sometimes the most unexpected.