Sovereign Grace New Testament Reader – 14 – Appointed to Eternal Life

Appointed to Eternal Life — Acts 13:38-48

38  “…Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,

39  and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

40  Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41  ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

42  As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.

43  And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44  The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

45  But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.

46  And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

47  For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

 

Discovery Questions:

1. According to verse 48, what was the reason that people believed?
2. Some have argued that predestination is just to outward privileges, like the opportunity to hear the Word of God, etc. But to what does verse 48 say they were appointed?
3. Luke just briefly mentions this doctrine of predestination. Could this imply that it was a well known and commonly accepted doctrine in the early church?
4. According to verse 48, do you think that God just foresaw these people’s faith and chose them, or did He choose them and then give them the gift of faith?
5. How should the truth of verse 48 affect us today as we share the gospel? Should it not encourage us today to know that God has a people that will hear and believe because He has appointed them to eternal life?

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