Go … to the Gentiles (outsiders welcome)
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21b).
Read Acts 22:1–21
What an amazing conversion story Paul’s is! Read it and rejoice.
Paul was proud that he was a Jew. He often mentioned it when defending himself (Acts 22:3; Acts 26:4,5). Naturally, when God converted Paul, Paul wanted to witness to his fellow Jews. But God had bigger plans. Instead, he sent Paul to the Gentiles. If you are familiar with Paul’s adventures, you would know he went to many towns across the Roman Empire and wrote many letters to early believers (what we call the epistles).
In these towns, he often spoke in the synagogues, debating with Jewish believers; however, his main task was sharing the revelation about Christ that he had received with non-Jews. And he did it well, starting and encouraging groups of believers in Christ in many places. He is often called the apostle to the Gentiles.
Whatever we think of Paul and his various teachings (often taken out of context today), he demonstrates many of Christ’s characteristics.
He proclaims a message of grace – as opposed to living according to the law – and winning God’s favour that way. He does not dismiss the law but makes it subservient to the gospel.
He definitely goes to the Gentiles: to Macedonia, to Cyprus, to Ephesus, and many other non-Jewish towns. He engages with all kinds of people, sharing the good news of Christ with whomever he meets. Even though he wished to witness to the Jews he grew up with (and he did at times), his main focus was on the outsiders – those who had not grown up with the understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures that Paul had.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for us, and we rejoice in that. But it is also for those who are outside our church circles. Will we go, will you go … to the outsiders? How will you live out the gospel truth of life, hope and grace?
Thank you, Jesus, for life, hope and grace. Thank you for messengers like Paul. I am not like him, but I am still your beloved one. Help me to share this love and life generously and freely. Amen.
Spring has sprung. Flowers are displaying their colours; fruit is forming on the trees. There is new growth everywhere. As you observe this wonderful new life, may you revel in the new beginnings God offers you each day. As Peter continues to meander his way through the Book of Psalms, he invites you to read them anew and apply them to your life. If you would like his paraphrase of any psalm (from 1 to 120), send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
