The Spread of the Good News of Salvation to the Jews and the Gentiles

Continuation from “The Teachings from the Book of Acts of the Apostles.”

Introduction

All humans are created by the Trinity of God (God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit), and in this sense they are all children of God. However, to be true children of God and become part of the kingdom of God, they must believe in the Lord Jesus and the work of salvation that He accomplished on the cross. They must ask God the Father for forgiveness of their sins and repent in the name of the Lord Jesus, His Son, who died on the cross for the sins of the whole world, and invite the Lord Jesus into their hearts. They must then read and meditate on the Word of God, follow the commandments of God, be baptized in water for the remission of their sins, and seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit for the completion of the salvation seal.

The Lord Jesus came to earth among His chosen people, the Jews, and dwelled among them to show the way into His kingdom through faith in Him. He willingly suffered a cruel death on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. As the Holy Lamb of God, He became the final sacrificial Lamb, not only for the sins of Israel but also for the sins of the entire world.

His shed blood on the cross of Calvary can atone for the sins of the whole world and wash away the sins of every person who comes to the Father in the name of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father did not permit His Holy Son to see decay in His human body (Acts 2:31; Acts 13:37; Psalm 16:10). The Lord Jesus rose from the dead in His human body, ascended to heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father in His human and heavenly body, and the Father sent the promise of the Holy Spirit to earth in His name.

The Book of Acts reveals how the Holy Spirit came miraculously to earth and baptized those who were waiting for Him on the Day of Pentecost, and how the first church of Jesus Christ was formed in Jerusalem (Acts 2). Beginning with the faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus who waited for this promised gift, the Holy Spirit worked salvation among God’s chosen people, the Jews, and then among the Gentiles. In the Book of Acts, we see how the good news of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ spread progressively, from the Jews to the Samaritans and then to the Gentiles, under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. We also see how the first church of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles was formed in Antioch (Acts 11).

The Spiritual Themes

The fundamental work of the Holy Spirit on earth is to call willing souls to the Lord Jesus, bring them into His kingdom, and keep them in the faith until the end (John 3:5; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 10:28). The spread of the good news among Jews and Gentiles, the formation of churches, and the strengthening of believers are all part of this work. Every true believer in Jesus Christ who reads and meditates on the Word of God, follows the commandments of God, is baptized in water, and seeks the baptism in the Holy Spirit is able to finish the race and receive the crown of salvation in the kingdom of God (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Under this spiritual category, we see many passages that show how the disciples, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, spread the good news of salvation among Jews and Gentiles and how the church of God was established and strengthened. We also see the guidance given by the Holy Spirit concerning the conduct of believers within the church. Several important actions on the part of true believers are highlighted throughout these passages: repentance from sins, faith in the Lord Jesus, baptism in water, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, steadfastness in the Word of God, and following the commandments of God.

Many passages from the Book of Acts fall within this spiritual category. For the purpose of our study, we have classified these passages into four spiritual themes and grouped the relevant passages from the Book of Acts under each theme.

The Spread of the Good News to the Jews
The Spread of the Good News to the Gentiles
The Formation and Strengthening of Churches
Regulations for Churches

1. The Spread of the Good News to the Jews

The Lord Jesus came to earth to bring salvation to all. However, while walking among His people on earth, He stated that His first mission was to call His children, the Jews, back to Him (Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 15:24). The Lord Jesus loves His chosen people, the Jews, and desires that they all come to Him (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; Luke 19:41-44). He also affirms that the Jewish nation has a unique role in the salvation plan of God, for “deliverance is from out of the Jews” (John 4:22). This means that salvation came through the Jewish people, among whom the beloved Son of God was born. Yet this salvation is not only for the Jews, but for every human who accepts the beloved Son of God, believes in His birth, death, and resurrection, and has faith that forgiveness of sins is found through Him alone.

The Lord Jesus came through the Jewish nation because they are the people chosen by the Father Himself. He chose them, and through them salvation has been extended to all humanity, beginning with them.

This pattern can also be seen throughout the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus and in the work of the Holy Spirit. As was the Lord Jesus’ custom, He went first to the synagogues and taught His people (Luke 4:16). In the Book of Acts, the work of the Holy Spirit follows the same pattern which God the Father established, calling the Jews first and then the Gentiles. We see the apostles Peter and John ministering first among the Jews, and the apostle Paul, according to his custom, going first into the synagogues to proclaim the good news of the Lord Jesus (Acts 17:2). Through this pattern, the Holy Spirit shows that God's promises to His chosen people remain faithful, while extending the salvation found in the Lord Jesus to all nations.

Below, we highlight all the Book of Acts passages that entirely cover this theme, with hyperlinks to our Bible Commentary Forever (BCF) work, where you will find more comments and explanations. In addition, we provide a short description of each passage, characterizing its content.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 4:19-23 (The miracle of healing performed by Peter and John in the name of the Lord Jesus stirred the people’s hearts to glorify God); Acts 6:1-15 (This chapter shows that the Holy Spirit worked through the apostles and other disciples, and the Word of God spread among the people. However, the dark side was also at work, stirring the leaders to harm the disciples); Acts 13:1-5 (The Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul; they depart and preach the gospel in the synagogues of the Jews).

2. The Spread of the Good News to the Gentiles

In the Bible, Abraham is called the father of faith (Romans 4:16-17; Genesis 15:6). The Trinity of God loves all His creation, and for the purpose of providing salvation to all humanity through the Son of God and the Son of Man, God the Father chose the seed of Abraham in the physical sense so that the Lord Jesus might be born on earth among His people. Yet the true seed of Abraham, through whom the promises of God are fulfilled, is found in the Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:29; Romans 4:13). Through Him, the promise made by God to Abraham is fulfilled, and many souls, as numerous as the stars of heaven, are brought into the kingdom of God (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17).

The good news of salvation was extended from the chosen people, the Jews, to the Gentiles, and all the apostles, including the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, were of Jewish origin. The Book of Acts shows how the Lord gradually opened a door of faith to the Gentiles through the work of the Holy Spirit. First, the apostle Peter testified that God accepted the Gentiles and gave them the Holy Spirit. Later, the apostles and elders recognized that the Gentiles could receive salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus and should not be placed under the burden of the law of Moses.

The Lord Jesus chose Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, gave him specific duties, and commissioned him to spread the good news concerning the salvation found in the Lord Jesus and His resurrection (Acts 9:15; Acts 26:16-18; 1 Timothy 1:12-16). Most of the missionary work among the Gentiles recorded in the Book of Acts was carried out through the ministry of the apostle Paul. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed the good news to many nations, established churches, strengthened believers, and called people everywhere to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.

Through the preaching of the gospel, the eyes of those who listen are opened to the truth. Those who listen to and follow the good news will be freed from the hand of Satan, and their souls will be saved in the hand of the Lord God Almighty. The souls that meditate upon and obey the good news will receive deliverance from hell itself.

The Book of Acts shows how the Holy Spirit extended this salvation to the Gentiles, opened a door of faith to the nations, and brought many souls from every nation into the kingdom of the beloved Son of God.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 11:18–24 (The gospel—the Lord Jesus—is preached to the Jews and Hellenists in Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch); Acts 13:6-12 (Paul and Barnabas, on the island of Cyprus, work a miracle of punishment upon a magician in Paphos by the power of the Holy Spirit; the proconsul is led to conversion); Acts 13:43-49 (The apostle Paul and Barnabas, after facing opposition from the Jews in Antioch, proclaim the gospel of salvation to the Gentiles); Acts 14:11-17 (At Lystra, the apostle Paul and Barnabas proclaim the true gospel and turn the people to the one true God who created all things); Acts 14:26-28 (The apostle Paul and Barnabas return to the church in Antioch of Syria, where they declare the miracles God has done and that the Lord has opened a door of faith to the Gentiles); Acts 15:7-12 (The apostle Peter testifies that God bore witness to the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, confirming salvation by the grace of the Lord Jesus); Acts 15:13-18 (James testifies that the salvation of the Gentiles agrees with the Word of God declared by the prophets); Acts 15:19-22 (James judges by the Holy Spirit not to trouble the Gentiles with the law of Moses); Acts 15:23-28 (The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, send word to the church in Antioch not to place any greater burden upon the Gentiles beyond some necessary requirements); Acts 16:6-17 (The Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ direct Paul, Silas, and Timothy to Macedonia, where they proclaim the good news in Philippi); Acts 17:11-31 (The apostle Paul proclaims in Athens the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and calls all people everywhere to repent); Acts 18:1-5 (In Corinth, Paul's heart and mind were occupied with the burden of spreading the good news regarding the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, wishing only to help these people know the truth of the gospel); Acts 18:6-11 (In Corinth, the Lord strengthens Paul to continue the work, and he remains in the city teaching the Word of God for one year and six months); Acts 19:1-5 (The apostle Paul teaches some disciples in Ephesus that baptism in water in the name of God the Father, God the Son (the Lord Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit is the next step after the heart has received the blessing); Acts 20:1-12 (The apostle Paul travels through the regions of Macedonia, Greece, and Troas, preaching the Word and encouraging the brothers; in Troas, the Lord works a miracle through the apostle and raises the young man Eutychus to life); Acts 27:1-11 (The apostle Paul is on his way to Italy; after a difficult voyage they arrive at Fair Havens, where he warns the centurion against continuing the journey by sea); Acts 27:12-20 (The apostle Paul continues his voyage to Italy; the ship is caught in a great storm, and the sailors and soldiers lose hope of being saved); Acts 27:21-26 (The apostle Paul speaks to those on the ship and shares with them that an angel of his God appeared to him and assured him that all lives would be saved from the storm); Acts 27:27-34 (The apostle Paul warns the centurion and the soldiers concerning the sailors and exhorts all to take food, assuring them that all will be saved); Acts 27:35-44 (The apostle Paul and all on the ship are saved and safely reach land, according to the word of God); Acts 28:11-21 (The apostle Paul reaches Rome; on the way and in Rome he meets the brothers; then he meets the leaders of the Jews in Rome and declares his innocence to them).

3. The Formation and Strengthening of Churches

The worship of the Trinity of God is important for all believers, and every believer should seek to gather together with other believers, for the unity of believers is pleasing to the Lord God Almighty. He desires that believers bring sweet praises to Him in the name of His Son, the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32; Romans 15:5-6; Psalm 86:9; Psalm 133:1; John 17:22-23).

For this reason, the formation and strengthening of churches throughout the world is an important part of the work of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, we see the formation of the first Jewish church at Pentecost in Jerusalem, which gathered together the true followers of the Lord Jesus (Acts 2), and later the formation of the first Gentile church in Antioch (Acts 11). Through these churches, the Lord provided places where believers could worship together, grow in the faith, receive instruction in the Word of God, and encourage one another.

The church is important for the common worship of God, for helping believers spread the good news of salvation found in the Lord Jesus, for helping believers remain steadfast in the faith, and for strengthening the brothers. In the Book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit working through faithful disciples to establish churches, appoint elders, strengthen believers, and encourage them to continue in the faith. We also see church leaders being instructed to watch over the flock of God and protect believers from false brothers and false teachings. Through these ministries, the Holy Spirit strengthened the churches and prepared them to continue the work of the Lord Jesus on earth.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 11:25–30 (The first church of Christians is established in Antioch); Acts 14:21-25 (The apostle Paul and Barnabas continue to proclaim the good news in the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia; they appoint elders and strengthen the churches in the faith; then, passing through Pisidia, they minister in the Pamphylia region); Acts 15:33-35 (The apostle Paul, Barnabas, and many others remain in Antioch and strengthen the church); Acts 15:36-41 (The apostle Paul and Silas, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, return to visit the churches throughout Syria and Cilicia and strengthen the brothers); Acts 16:1-5 (The apostle Paul, Silas, and Timothy travel through the cities, strengthening the churches and delivering the decrees established in Jerusalem); Acts 18:18-28 (The apostle Paul follows the guidance of the Holy Spirit, going through all the regions preaching the Lord Jesus as the Christ and strengthening the churches); Acts 20:13-21 (The apostle Paul travels from Troas to Miletus; in Miletus he calls for the elders of the church of Ephesus, reminding them of his service to the Lord Jesus and the gospel he preached); Acts 20:25-30 (The apostle Paul speaks to the elders of the church of Ephesus to take heed to themselves and feed the church of God, watching for false brothers who seek to draw away believers).

4. Regulations for Churches

Throughout the generations, people have struggled with the influence of the world, and many times the things of the world, especially traditions and new worldly trends, have made their way into the church. From its formation, the church of God has struggled with worldly and traditional influences, and throughout the generations we see many different teachings and practices arise among believers (Matthew 15:3; Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:8; James 4:4). However, the Lord Jesus clearly teaches us to follow His example and His commandments so that we may walk in the light of His truth and be pleasing to Him (John 13:14-15; Matthew 28:19-20).

As true followers of the Lord Jesus, we must be baptized in water and seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We must also seek the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit as we study the Word of God, asking Him to give us understanding and to shine His light into our hearts.

In the Book of Acts, we see the confusion and division that arose concerning the law of circumcision. Some believers failed to understand that all believers are circumcised in the Lord Jesus through the circumcision of the heart and that physical circumcision is not necessary for salvation (Romans 2:28-29). Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem established the first basic regulations for the church of God in order to preserve unity among Jewish and Gentile believers and to help the churches walk together in peace.

These passages show that the Holy Spirit guides the church not only in the preaching of the gospel but also in matters of doctrine, conduct, and church order. Therefore, we must read the whole Word of God, both the Old and New Testaments, and continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may find the true path on which to walk and learn how to be pleasing to the Lord God Almighty.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 15:29-32 (Guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem set forth the basic commandments for the Gentile believers: “to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication”); Acts 21:19-26 (Circumcision does not bring salvation; it is not required for the Gentiles or for anyone to be saved, for salvation is through the sacrifice of the beloved Son of God on the cross).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the work of the Holy Spirit on earth is to continuously spread the good news of salvation found in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts reveals how this work began in power with the miraculous coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and the baptism in the Holy Spirit of the disciples gathered in Jerusalem.

Under this spiritual category, we have seen how the Holy Spirit spread the good news of salvation first among the Jews and then among the Gentiles, how He established and strengthened churches, and how He guided believers in matters conduct, and church order.

The work of spreading the good news found in the Lord Jesus is not only for the apostolic era but for all generations until the return of the Lord Jesus to take His Bride home, the Church of God. Therefore, as true followers of the Lord Jesus, we must take the accounts found in the Book of Acts as examples of faith, service, obedience, and perseverance.

Fundamental teachings for every believer found throughout this spiritual category include faith in the Lord Jesus, baptism in water for the remission of sins, the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the miraculous sign of speaking in other tongues, obedience to the Word of God, fellowship with the saints, and steadfastness in the faith. Through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, believers today can accomplish the work that the Holy Spirit has for them, just as the apostles and disciples of the Lord Jesus accomplished the work entrusted to them in the Book of Acts.

We encourage all readers of this blog article to review our two related articles, “Teachings about How to Be a Disciple of the Lord Jesus” and “Teachings about How Believers Should Relate to the Trinity of God and How Believers Should Respond to Temptations and Challenges of Life.” Together, these studies provide further teaching concerning discipleship, obedience to the Lord Jesus, fellowship with the Trinity of God, and the challenges believers face as they walk by faith in this world.