Sermons on Acts 13:48
The various sermons below converge on a few decisive exegetical moves that should shape any pulpit treatment of Acts 13:48. They commonly read the Greek to make belief the consequence of divine appointment rather than its ground, portraying faith as a gift that follows God’s prior action; they highlight the striking contrast between Gentiles who “seized” the gospel and Jews who pursued righteousness by law yet did not “arrive”; and they press the pastoral implications—humility, gratitude, and hopeful confidence—while also urging energetic means (preaching, prayer) as the human instruments through which God brings the appointed to faith. Interesting nuances emerge in the details: some preachers hinge their case on different Greek verbs and participles (including readings of proginosko) to argue that “knowing” implies choosing, others lean on metaphors (a paradigm‑shifting “dynamite,” the opening of blind eyes, or the inevitability of faith once God makes Christ compelling) to shape how inevitably or mysteriously election appears.
Where they diverge is equally pastorally important. One strand reads the grammar and metaphors to teach unconditional, effectual election—faith as the inevitable fruit of God’s prior choosing—while another insists on holding divine sovereignty and human responsibility in tension, arguing that election explains the saved but rejection explains the lost. That difference alters sermon shape: some will preach irresistibility and the comfort of assurance; others will temper that with summonses to urgent evangelism, intensified corporate and intercessory prayer, and sober warnings about culpability. Your homiletical decision point becomes whether to foreground divine causality, human accountability, or to live in the productive mystery between them—
Acts 13:48 Interpretation:
Faith, Righteousness, and the Mystery of Salvation (MLJTrust) offers a unique linguistic analysis by distinguishing between the Greek words translated as "attained" in Romans 9:30-31, which is directly linked to Acts 13:48. The sermon notes that the word used for the Gentiles' response in Acts 13:48 (and the parallel in Romans) is not a passive "attaining" but an active "apprehending" or "seizing eagerly." This shapes the understanding of Acts 13:48 as describing Gentiles who, though previously unconcerned with righteousness, eagerly embraced the gospel when it was preached, in contrast to the Jews who pursued righteousness by the law but did not "arrive" at it. The preacher emphasizes the astonishment that those least concerned with God (the Gentiles) are those who most eagerly seize the offer of eternal life, highlighting the paradox and the mystery of divine grace.
God's Sovereign Election: Humility, Gratitude, and Hope (Desiring God) interprets Acts 13:48 as a "stick of dynamite" that reveals the doctrine of unconditional election. The sermon stresses that the text does not say people were appointed to eternal life because they believed, but rather that belief is the result of being appointed. The preacher uses the Greek structure to argue that election is not based on foreseen faith, but that faith is the effect of divine appointment. This is presented as a reversal of common assumptions, with the analogy of "dynamite" underscoring the explosive, paradigm-shifting nature of the verse.
Embracing God's Grace: The Doctrine of Unconditional Election (Desiring God) provides a notable insight by connecting Acts 13:48 to the idea that faith itself is a gift that follows election, not the cause of it. The sermon highlights the Greek participle translated as "appointed," arguing that the verse teaches faith is the result of God's prior, unconditional choice. This is used to reinforce the doctrine that no one can boast in their own faith, as it is rooted in God's eternal decision, not human initiative.
Empowered by Prayer: The Triumph of God's Word (Desiring God) draws a unique parallel between Acts 13:48 and 2 Thessalonians 3:2, focusing on the phrase "faith is not of all." The preacher suggests that, just as in Acts 13:48, only those "appointed" believe, so too in Thessalonians, faith is not universally given but is the result of divine election. The sermon also notes the rare New Testament phrase "glorifying the word of the Lord," linking the Gentiles' response in Acts 13:48 to the triumph of the gospel as a supernatural work of God, not a universal human response.
Understanding Divine Election: Grace Over Human Effort (Desiring God) offers a unique linguistic insight by focusing on the biblical use of the word "know" (Greek: *proginosko*) in Romans 8:29, arguing that it means more than mere cognition—it implies choosing, acknowledging, or recognizing with favor. The sermon uses English analogies like "acknowledge" and "recognize" (e.g., a senator being recognized to speak) to illustrate how God's foreknowledge is an act of selection, not passive awareness. This shapes the interpretation of Acts 13:48 by emphasizing that belief is the result of divine appointment, not human self-determination, and that the Greek construction in Acts 13:48 ("as many as were appointed to eternal life believed") shows that God's action precedes and enables faith.
Divine Sovereignty and the Mystery of Salvation (Desiring God) interprets Acts 13:48 as a direct refutation of the idea that human free will is the ultimate explanation for salvation. The sermon highlights the phrase "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" as evidence that God's sovereign choice, not human self-determination, is decisive in salvation. It draws a contrast between God's desire for all to be saved and his sovereign granting of repentance and faith, using Acts 13:48 to show that only those whom God appoints will believe.
Understanding the Power of Sovereign Grace (Desiring God) provides a vivid metaphor for Acts 13:48, describing the process of salvation as God overcoming human resistance and deadness. The sermon uses the analogy of being "dead and blind" until God opens the eyes and makes Christ compelling, at which point belief becomes inevitable. It interprets Acts 13:48 as teaching that divine appointment precedes and makes possible belief, and that faith is not a human achievement but a result of God's sovereign grace.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation (MLJTrust) offers a distinctive linguistic and exegetical insight by analyzing the Greek words translated as "attained" in Romans 9:30-31, noting that different Greek terms are used for Gentiles and Jews. The sermon connects this to Acts 13:48, emphasizing that Gentiles "apprehended" or "seized" righteousness by faith when they heard the gospel, paralleling the response in Acts 13:48 where Gentiles rejoice and believe. The sermon also addresses the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, arguing that both are true and must be held together without contradiction.
Acts 13:48 Theological Themes:
Faith, Righteousness, and the Mystery of Salvation (MLJTrust) introduces the nuanced theme that election alone accounts for the saved, but non-election does not account for the lost; rather, human responsibility and the rejection of the gospel explain why some are lost. This dual emphasis on divine sovereignty and human responsibility is presented as a profound mystery, not a contradiction, and is used to warn against simplistic or "too easy" theological solutions.
God's Sovereign Election: Humility, Gratitude, and Hope (Desiring God) develops the theme that the doctrine of election, as revealed in Acts 13:48, should produce humility, gratitude, and hope. The preacher insists that realizing faith is the result of God's appointment strips away all boasting, fosters deep thankfulness, and gives hope for the salvation of even the hardest sinners, since election is not limited by human obstacles.
Embracing God's Grace: The Doctrine of Unconditional Election (Desiring God) adds the distinct angle that unconditional election torpedoes despair in those who feel unsavable, since God's choice is not based on past deeds or worthiness. The sermon also emphasizes that this doctrine is the foundation for Christian compassion and the end of all ethnic or racial boasting, as God's choice ignores all human distinctions.
Empowered by Prayer: The Triumph of God's Word (Desiring God) presents the fresh application that prayer is essential for the triumph of the gospel, even though faith is a gift given only to those appointed by God. The preacher argues that prayer is the means God uses to bring about the "running" and "glorification" of the word, and that the reality of election should not diminish but rather intensify prayer for gospel success and protection from opposition.
Understanding Divine Election: Grace Over Human Effort (Desiring God) introduces the theme that God's election is not based on foreseen faith or human initiative, but on God's sovereign choice to grant faith. The sermon adds a fresh angle by arguing that the biblical concept of "knowing" is an act of divine favor and selection, not mere foreknowledge, and that faith itself is a gift resulting from God's call.
Divine Sovereignty and the Mystery of Salvation (Desiring God) presents the nuanced theme that God's desire for all to be saved does not override his sovereign will to grant repentance and faith to some. The sermon explores the mystery of God's dual commitments—his desire for universal salvation and his wise, just, and loving decision not to save all—using Acts 13:48 as a key text to show that God's appointment, not human will, is decisive.
Understanding the Power of Sovereign Grace (Desiring God) develops the theme of "irresistible grace," clarifying that while humans can resist God, when God chooses to overcome resistance, he does so decisively and graciously. The sermon adds the facet that the experience of coming to faith feels like freedom precisely because God has removed the chains of spiritual deadness, making belief both inevitable and joyful.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation (MLJTrust) articulates the theme that election alone accounts for the saved, but non-election does not account for the lost. The sermon uniquely asserts that while no one would be saved apart from God's sovereign choice, those who are lost are so because of their own rejection of the gospel, thus upholding both divine sovereignty and human responsibility without contradiction.
Acts 13:48 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Faith, Righteousness, and the Mystery of Salvation (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical context about the Gentiles' status in the first century, describing them as utterly unconcerned with righteousness, living godless and immoral lives, and being strangers to the covenants of Israel. The sermon explains that the Jewish pursuit of righteousness was centered on the Mosaic law, and that the shock of Gentile inclusion in the church was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, overturning prevailing Jewish expectations about who would inherit eternal life.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical context about the Gentiles and Jews in the first-century church. The sermon explains that Gentiles were not seeking righteousness or concerned about their relationship with God, living in ignorance and idolatry, while Jews were zealously pursuing righteousness through the Mosaic law. This cultural backdrop makes the Gentiles' eager acceptance of the gospel in Acts 13:48 all the more astonishing, as it fulfills Old Testament prophecies and highlights the unexpected nature of God's grace.
Acts 13:48 Cross-References in the Bible:
Faith, Righteousness, and the Mystery of Salvation (MLJTrust) references Romans 9:30-33 to draw a parallel with Acts 13:48, emphasizing the contrast between Gentiles who "apprehend" righteousness by faith and Jews who "pursue" it by the law but do not attain it. The sermon also cites Ephesians 2:1 (Gentiles "dead in trespasses and sins"), Ephesians 2:12 (strangers from the covenants), and James 2:10 (the law demands perfection), as well as Jesus' teaching in the Gospels about Gentiles entering the kingdom. These references are used to support the argument that salvation is by faith and divine election, not by works or heritage.
God's Sovereign Election: Humility, Gratitude, and Hope (Desiring God) cross-references John 10:26-27 ("you do not believe because you are not of my flock"), 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (God chose you to be saved through belief in the truth), Ephesians 2:8 (faith as a gift), and 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (God may grant repentance). Each passage is used to reinforce the interpretation that faith and repentance are the results of God's prior choice, not the cause of it.
Embracing God's Grace: The Doctrine of Unconditional Election (Desiring God) references Romans 9:11 (election not based on works), Ephesians 1:4-6 (chosen before the foundation of the world), John 6 and 17 (the Father gives people to the Son), 1 Corinthians 1:27 (God chooses the weak), Romans 8:31-33 (no charge against God's elect), Colossians 3:12 (compassion as God's chosen), 1 Thessalonians 1:4 (knowing you are chosen), and Matthew 24:22 (history shaped for the elect). These are used to show the pervasive biblical support for unconditional election and its practical implications.
Empowered by Prayer: The Triumph of God's Word (Desiring God) connects Acts 13:48 to 2 Thessalonians 3:2 ("faith is not of all"), 1 Thessalonians 1 (evidence of election in the Thessalonians' faith and joy), and 2 Timothy 2:9 (the word of God is not bound). The sermon uses these passages to illustrate the supernatural triumph of the gospel among those appointed to believe and the necessity of prayer for gospel advance.
Understanding Divine Election: Grace Over Human Effort (Desiring God) references Romans 8:28-30 to discuss the "golden chain" of salvation (foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification), arguing that the calling of God is what brings about faith, not foreseen human decision. It also cites Genesis 18:17, Amos 3:2, and Psalm 1 to show that "knowing" in the Old Testament often means choosing or setting favor upon. 1 Corinthians 1 is used to illustrate that God's call makes Christ compelling to some but not to others, paralleling Acts 13:48. Ephesians 2:4-9 is referenced to show that faith is a gift of God, not a human work.
Divine Sovereignty and the Mystery of Salvation (Desiring God) cross-references 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (God desires all to be saved), 2 Timothy 2:25 (God may grant repentance), Ezekiel 18:23 (God does not delight in the death of the wicked), Luke 8:9-10 and Isaiah 6:9-10 (God's purpose in hardening), and Romans 11:25-32 (the mystery of Israel's hardening and the salvation of the Gentiles). Each reference is used to build the case that God's sovereign will, not human free will, is decisive in salvation, and that Acts 13:48 exemplifies this principle.
Understanding the Power of Sovereign Grace (Desiring God) references John 6:44, 6:65 (no one comes unless drawn by the Father), Romans 9:15-16 (God's mercy is not based on human will), John 3:8 (the Spirit's sovereign work), Philippians 2:12-13 (God works in believers to will and act), and Ephesians 2:8-9 (faith as a gift). Acts 13:48 is grouped with these texts to demonstrate the consistent biblical teaching that faith is the result of God's sovereign initiative.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation (MLJTrust) references Romans 9:30-33 (Gentiles apprehending righteousness by faith), Ephesians 2:1 (Gentiles dead in trespasses and sins), and James 2:10 (the law's demand for perfection). The sermon also alludes to Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and his prophecy that Gentiles would enter the kingdom while Jews would be outside, connecting these themes to the events of Acts 13:48.
Acts 13:48 Christian References outside the Bible:
God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Evangelism (Desiring God) explicitly references J.I. Packer's book "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God," summarizing Packer's argument that God's sovereignty and human responsibility are not contradictory but complementary. The sermon quotes Packer's analogy of theologians as "the church's plumbers, water engineers, and sewage disposal agents," whose job is to ensure the flow of pure biblical truth. The preacher also mentions Martin Lloyd-Jones' disagreement with Packer over church affiliation, but this is not directly tied to Acts 13:48.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility in Salvation (MLJTrust) explicitly references Christian scholars and theologians, including C.H. Dodd and William Barclay, who argue that Paul contradicts himself in Romans 9. The sermon critiques their view, asserting that such a position denies the inspiration of Scripture and underestimates Paul's logical consistency. The preacher also discusses the views of Lutheran theologians (distinguishing them from Martin Luther himself), who teach that while God alone saves, humans have the negative power to resist salvation. The sermon evaluates these positions in light of the biblical text, ultimately rejecting both as inadequate explanations of the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.