Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. Acts 13:39-49
You ever know someone who told such fantastic tales that you wanted to believe them but deep down you just couldn't because they were so over the top? Ray, a missionary in Rio told of a massive boulder on a piece of land that kept them from building a church on it and one night a lightning bolt came down and struck it blasting it into thousands of small pieces. I have a polished piece he gave me to remind me that God does the impossible. I tell that story but still am only about 80-90% sure it's true - it's just so fantastic. Wally, a guy that comes to our church's free meals for the needy, tells of being a professional wrestler along with his moniker and catch phrases in years gone by and everyone believes him - he is that big. Then he tells of fatal brain cancer and flying overseas for experimental treatment and how God healed him and it all starts to not add up. I'm 5% sure anything that comes out of his mouth is true.
The disciples told of a man who came from Heaven where He dwelt because He is God and was born as a baby in human flesh and predicted his death on a cross and resurrection 3 days later and pulled it off for hundreds to witness. People just couldn't believe it because the tale is too fantastic, yet it 100% happened. How do we know? Because all the disciples were tortured and killed yet refused to deny what they had seen. I guess if missionary Ray's life depended on that story being true, my belief would go up to 100%. The thing is, the Jewish leaders didn't care if it was true or not. They just cared that their power and influence was being siphoned away by Jesus. They hated Jesus like Alfalfa hated Waldo for swooping in and stealing Darla with all his new things in Little Rascals. They couldn't compete so they heaped abuse on Paul and Barnabas. When people can't refute what you say or do, they usually resort to insults and going after your character.
I'm looking forward to God doing more big things in my lifetime. Imagine the day when the trumpet sounds and millions of people all over the world just disappear. This is going to happen yet it's almost too fantastic to believe. Almost...
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