22/08/2026
Acts 13 begins with the church at Antioch. While they were worshiping, fasting, and praying, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which God had called them. After praying and fasting, they sent them out to preach the Word of God.
This shows us that true ministry does not come merely from our own desires. God calls, the Holy Spirit leads, and the Gospel is the message we are called to carry.
As they traveled, they faced opposition. There were people who tried to prevent others from believing. But opposition could not stop the Gospel. Through the power of God, their mission continued.
When Paul arrived at Antioch in Pisidia, he preached a beautiful summary of the Gospel.
He looked back at the history of Israel—how God chose His people, brought them out of Egypt, gave them judges and kings, and then through David promised that a Savior would come.
And the fulfillment of that promise is Jesus Christ.
Jesus was crucified even though they found no rightful reason to condemn Him to death. He died and was laid in a tomb.
But the story did not end there.
God raised Jesus from the dead.
This is the heart of the Gospel: Jesus is the promised Savior. He died for our sins, and He rose again.
Then Paul declared one of the most important messages in Acts 13:
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”
— Acts 13:38 KJV
And he continued:
“And by him all that believe are justified…”
— Acts 13:39 KJV
This truth is so powerful.
It does not say that we are saved because we are perfect. It is not because we have done many good works. It is not because we are religious.
Through Jesus Christ, forgiveness is offered, and everyone who believes in Him is justified.
This is the true Good News.
We are sinners, and we cannot save ourselves. But because of God’s great love, He sent His Son. Jesus died and rose again, and through Him there is forgiveness and salvation for those who believe.
Acts 13 also gives us a warning: do not reject the message of salvation. Some people heard the Gospel but rejected it, while others received the Word of the Lord with joy.
So the question of the Gospel is not simply:
“Have you heard about Jesus?”
The more important question is:
“Do you believe in Him? Are you trusting Him for your salvation?”
Acts 13 reminds us that from the promises of the Old Testament to the resurrection of Christ, there is one great plan of God—to bring salvation through Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the promised Savior.
Jesus died and rose again.
Through Him there is forgiveness.
And through faith in Him, we can be justified before God.
That is the Gospel.
That is the Good News.
And that is why Jesus must always remain at the center of the message we share.